How to cook chicken leg quarters on the grill

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These Traeger Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters are simple to make and have a big bold seasoning mix and crispy skin. Plus, these are super economical! One of the least expensive cuts of chicken and the meat is dark and delicious.

How to cook chicken leg quarters on the grill

It’s time to start thinking about warmer weather and all that goes hand in hand with it. GRILLING!!!!!  

I am so ready for this, I sometimes just HAVE got to grill something to fool myself into believing that nicer weather is just around the corner, and my Traeger Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters fills that bill, perfectly!  

Using a combination of Spiceology Togarashi and Korean Barbecue, this recipe for easy grilled chicken leg quarters is DELISH!  

These are grilled on my Traeger wood-pellet grill at 400 degrees, and it comes out with perfectly crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. 

How to cook chicken leg quarters on the grill

How long does it take to grill chicken leg quarters?

It depends! Always cook to temp and not for time! 165° for chicken, plan up to an hour (but could take longer you never know!) Insert meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, and be careful not to touch the bone.  

Need more Traeger Chicken Recipes? I’ve got them here!

How to cook chicken leg quarters on the grill

What temperature do you grill chicken leg quarters?

My recipe calls for grilling at 400 degrees on my Traeger Wood-Pellet Grill. 

The most important thing to remember is to check with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees to ensure it is fully cooked.

How to cook chicken leg quarters on the grill

How do you grill chicken legs and thighs?

Grilling chicken is easy to do. Just make sure that you are grilling over indirect heat (which is what you are already doing on a Traeger), and you turn them fairly frequently, you can be sure you’re going to get great results.

  1. Preheat your grill.
  2. Season your chicken.
  3. Place chicken, skin side down, over indirect heat and grill for 25 to 30 minutes turning every 10 minutes.
  4. Crank the grill up to high heat for 10 additional minutes, 5 minutes per side, to finish it off, and always check to make sure that the internal temperate is at least 165°. Chicken legs and thighs have the bone in so will take longer to cook than breasts.

How to cook chicken leg quarters on the grill

What should I serve with grilled chicken legs and thighs?

I like to serve this easy chicken dish with some rice and vegetables, myself. It is simple, lets you use your favorite sauce to top it, and everyone gets to customize according to what they’d like. 

Some ideas for great sides are:

  • Instant Pot Basmati Rice
  • Instant Pot Stick of Butter Rice

What kind of drinks would work with grilled chicken?

If you are serving a crowd, you may want a beverage or two to offer also.

I suggest my Strawberry White Wine Spritzer, or if you prefer to serve an after dinner drink, with my Homemade Kahlua Coffee Liqueur here are sooooo many options, such as White Russians, espresso, Kahlua on the rocks, and Irish Whiskey Frozen Cocktails.  

Add a splash to my Homemade Vanilla Sweet Cream for an after-dinner coffee with a kick!

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How to cook chicken leg quarters on the grill

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Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Rest Time 10 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 chicken leg quarters
  • LOTS of seasoning rub

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to 400°.
  2. Season your chicken with LOTS of seasoning rub. Pick your favorite! I like Spiceology's Korean BBQ and Togarashi, as well as the Kendrick BBQ rub, personally.
  3. Place skin-side up on the grill, and grill for 15 minutes. Flip and grill an additional 10 minutes. When the chicken gets to about 150°, crank up the grill to high and finish off the grilling until the internal temperature is 165°.
  4. Pull off the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 475Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 328mgSodium: 300mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 62g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

How long does it take to grill quarter legs?

How long does it take to grill chicken leg quarters? Depending on the size of your quarters, they take anywhere from 40-55 minutes to thoroughly cook on the grill. Always use a meat thermometer to check for proper temperature to avoid any risk of food poisoning. You want to aim for 165-170 degrees F.

How long do you cook chicken leg quarters on a charcoal grill?

Heat charcoal grill to 300-degrees F. Place leg quarters skin side up on the grill. Cooked covered for 15-18 minutes. Flip chicken and continue cooking another 15-18 minutes or until internal temperature reaches at least 165-degrees F.

How do you cook chicken legs on a gas grill?

Gas Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Add the chicken drumsticks and cook for about five minutes per side, until the skin is browned and crispy on all sides. Lower the heat to about 300°F, and close the grill. Cook for about 25 minutes, turning once halfway through.

How long does it take to grill leg quarters at 350 degrees?

At 350 degrees over direct heat, the Leg Quarters will take 35-45 minutes to cook. The key is to bring them to 165 degrees. One of the most common concerns is when you cut it open and you see a bit of pink, especially around the bone, but as long as the temperature is 165, you are fine.