Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs

Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs – Smoky, Sweet, and Packed with Flavor

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These sweet barbecue chicken legs are juicy, smoky, and caramelized to perfection, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite for any cookout. Coated in a flavorful spice rub and basted with a homemade sweet barbecue sauce, they deliver the perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for Grilling – The sauce caramelizes beautifully on the chicken.
Sweet & Smoky – A homemade barbecue sauce with honey, brown sugar, and hickory smoke.
Juicy & Flavorful – A simple spice rub and lemon juice keep the chicken moist and delicious.
Great for Cookouts – Ideal for backyard barbecues, summer gatherings, and game days.

What Do These Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs Taste Like?

Crispy, caramelized skin with a smoky-sweet glaze.
Tender, juicy meat packed with flavor.
A balance of sweet, tangy, and savory from honey, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices.

Ingredients (Serves 6-8)
For the Sweet Barbecue Sauce

Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs
2 cups ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (hickory flavor)
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Optional: 1/2 tablespoon white sugar (for extra sweetness)

For the Chicken and Spice Rub

4-5 pounds chicken legs
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Juice from 1/2 a lemon (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
3/4 cup Sweet Barbecue Sauce (for basting)
Additional Sweet Barbecue Sauce for serving

Tools You’ll Need

Saucepan
Mixing bowls
Grill or barbecue
Basting brush
Tongs

How to Make Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs

  1. Make the Barbecue Sauce In a saucepan over low heat, combine all barbecue sauce ingredients.
    Stir until the sugars dissolve and the flavors meld.
    Simmer for 10 minutes, then set aside.
    Pro Tip: This sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
  2. Prepare the Chicken In a small bowl, mix the spice rub ingredients (except lemon juice).
    Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels.
    Coat the chicken evenly with the spice rub.
    Squeeze lemon juice over the chicken and toss to coat.
    Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  3. Preheat the Grill Heat the grill to 400-425°F (200-220°C).
    Set aside 3/4 cup of barbecue sauce for basting.
  4. Grill the Chicken Place the chicken directly over the flames, close the grill, and cook for 5 minutes per side.
    Flip every 5 minutes to prevent burning.
  5. Baste & Cook After 10 minutes of grilling, start basting the chicken with the reserved barbecue sauce.
    Continue flipping and basting every 5 minutes.
    Grill for a total of 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F (80°C).
  6. Rest & Serve Remove the chicken from the grill and cover loosely with foil.
    Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
    Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side.
Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs

Tips for the Best Barbecue Chicken

Pat the chicken dry before seasoning – This helps the spices stick better.
Use indirect heat if needed – If the grill is too hot, move the chicken to a cooler side.
Baste in the last 10 minutes – This prevents the sauce from burning.
Check doneness with a thermometer – Chicken should be 175°F (80°C) for juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat.

What to Serve with Barbecue Chicken

Grilled corn on the cob
Coleslaw
Baked beans
Garlic bread
Potato salad

How to Store & Reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Reheat on the grill or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
Freeze for up to 3 months (without sauce for best texture).

Variations & Customizations

Spicy Version: Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice rub.
Oven-Baked Option: Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 40-45 minutes, basting in the last 15 minutes.
Honey Garlic Version: Swap brown sugar for extra honey and add minced garlic to the sauce.
Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes! Boneless chicken thighs or breasts work, but reduce cooking time to 12-15 minutes.

Can I make this without a grill?
Yes! Use the oven method or cook on a stovetop grill pan.

How do I get crispy skin?
Grill over direct heat for the first 10 minutes, then baste and move to indirect heat.
Conclusion

These sweet barbecue chicken legs are a must-try for any cookout. With juicy, flavorful meat and a caramelized, smoky glaze, they’re sure to be a hit at your next barbecue or family gathering.
Try this recipe today and let us know how it turned out!

Other Great Grill Recipes:

Classic Grilled Steak
Smoky BBQ Ribs
Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers