By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 9, 2026
Serves 10
158 cal · 85 min
BBQ Chicken Legs
Recipe GLPRa2a4db271878fa
Succulent chicken legs brushed with a homemade barbecue sauce made from ketchup, dark brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and warm spices, then roasted until golden and cooked through. The sauce develops a rich, caramelized glaze as the chicken cooks, creating perfectly tender and flavorful meat with a slight char on the edges.
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Ingredients
1 cup organic ketchup
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 pounds chicken legs
Directions
Combine ketchup, dark brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and paprika in a small saucepan. Place over medium heat and stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
Remove the BBQ sauce from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Place the chicken legs in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with the kosher salt. Pour 1/2 cup of the prepared BBQ sauce over the chicken legs and stir gently to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to marinate.
Arrange the marinated chicken legs on a baking rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush with additional BBQ sauce if desired. Roast in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh, not touching bone. The skin should be golden-brown and caramelized.
Comments
Every ingredient is stocked at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Walmart, ALDI, and Kroger—no special trips needed, and chicken legs are consistently affordable across all Charlotte chains, usually under $1.50 per pound. The stated 85 minutes is honest: about 15 minutes to mix the sauce and prep the legs, then 70 minutes hands-off in the oven, though true active time is closer to 20 minutes total. This is ideal for a weeknight family meal—ten servings mean leftovers, reheats beautifully in a 350-degree oven, and requires zero attention once it goes in. Cost per serving lands around $1.50–$1.75 depending on chicken price and BBQ sauce ingredients you have on hand.
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