Name: Classic Grilled BBQ Chicken: Summer Grilling Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 4 h 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 3 cups Sweet Barbecue Sauce; 1 cup Italian Salad Dressing; 4 (8 ounce) Bone-In Chicken Legs with Skin; Hickory Wood Chips, as needed

Chicken

Grilled BBQ Chicken

Sep 3, 2025
by Adrien Fritsch
- 0.0 / 5 ( 0 Ratings)
0 Likes

PREP TIME

10 mins
COOK TIME

20 mins
TOTAL TIME

4 hrs 35 mins
SERVING

4 People
VIEWS

0

Embrace the smoky kiss of summer with this Grilled BBQ Chicken. The tangy-sweet marinade, infused with hickory smoke, transforms ordinary chicken into a finger-licking masterpiece. Perfect alongside grilled corn and your favorite summer sides!

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

3 cups Sweet Barbecue Sauce

1 cup Italian Salad Dressing

4 (8 ounce) Bone-In Chicken Legs with Skin

Hickory Wood Chips, as needed

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

74 g
Cholesterol

188 mg
Fiber

1 g
Protein

41 g
Saturated Fat

10 g
Sodium

3249 mg
Fat

45 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Whisk together the barbecue sauce and Italian salad dressing in a bowl until well combined. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Place the chicken legs in a large zip-top bag and pour the sauce mixture over them. Remove excess air and seal the bag tightly. Massage the marinade into the chicken to ensure even coating, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight for maximum flavor. (10 minutes)

03

Step

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for approximately 1 hour before grilling. This helps ensure more even cooking. (60 minutes)

04

Step

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-low heat and lightly oil the grate to prevent sticking. Load a smoker box with hickory wood chips and place it on the grill grate. (10 minutes)

05

Step

Remove the chicken legs from the marinade bag, discarding the used marinade. Place the chicken on the preheated grill, skin-side down. Cover the grill and cook for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken and baste both sides with any remaining marinade from the bowl. (15 minutes)

06

Step

Continue to cook the chicken, with the lid closed, for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) when measured with an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone. Be mindful of flare-ups and adjust the grill's heat as needed. (15 minutes)

07

Step

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the grill and transfer it to a platter. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken. (5 minutes)

For a richer, more complex flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or smoked paprika to the marinade.
If you don't have a smoker box, you can create a foil pouch for the wood chips. Simply wrap the chips tightly in heavy-duty foil, poke a few holes in the top, and place it directly on the grill grate.
Basting the chicken frequently during grilling helps to create a beautiful, caramelized crust. However, be careful not to baste too close to the end of cooking, as the sugars in the barbecue sauce can burn easily.
Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
Serve with your favorite BBQ sides such as coleslaw, potato salad, and corn on the cob for a complete summer meal.

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Adrien Fritsch

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.