Butterflied Chicken Legs turn out tender, juicy, and full of flavor thanks to a simple savory marinade. You can cook them in the oven, on the grill, or in the air fryer.
Note: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. See my full affiliate disclosure policy here.
If you have never tried butterflying chicken drumsticks, now is a great time to start. This method helps the chicken cook evenly, lets more marinade soak in, and makes the skin extra tasty.
This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight but still feels a bit special. After trying chicken legs this way, you might not want to make them any other way.
How to make butterflied chicken legs
First, gather your ingredients.
Ingredients
For best taste, always use the highest quality ingredients you have access to.
To make this butterflied chicken legs recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken legs
- Avocado oil
- Light brown sugar
- Tamari sauce
- Kosher salt
- Dried oregano
- Garlic powder and onion powder
- Paprika
- Black pepper
You can easily adapt these butterflied chicken legs to what you have on hand. Use soy sauce instead of tamari, or swap the avocado oil for olive oil. For a little heat, add cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of hot honey after cooking. You can also switch up the seasonings with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, chili powder, or lemon pepper.
For a brighter flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a little lemon zest to the marinade. This same marinade would also work well with chicken thighs, wings, or boneless chicken breasts, though the cook time will vary depending on the cut.
Cooking Butterflied Chicken Legs
Butterflied Chicken Legs is a simple recipe that takes just a few steps. Here is how to make it.
First, start by making the marinade. In a large bowl, mix together the avocado oil, brown sugar, tamari sauce, kosher salt, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and black pepper until well combined.
Next, butterfly the chicken drumsticks. Find the thickest part of each one, then use the tip of a sharp knife to slice down along the bone from the meaty end to the tip.
Carefully cut under the chicken on one side of your first slice. Lift the flap and spread it flat. Repeat on the other side, and do the same for the rest of the drumsticks.
If you prefer, you can use chicken shears for this step.
Put the butterflied drumsticks in the bowl with the marinade. Use your hands to work the marinade into the chicken until each piece is well coated.
Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For even more flavor, you can marinate the chicken overnight.
Next, cook the chicken legs.
You can cook this recipe in the oven, on the grill, or in the air fryer.
Oven method
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, then place a baking rack on top that fits inside the baking sheet. Grease the rack with cooking spray.
Arrange the chicken skin-side up on the rack. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches 165°F inside.
Grill method
Preheat the grill to 400°F.
Grill the drumsticks with the lid closed for 5 to 8 minutes per side, until they are nicely charred and cooked through. The inside should reach at least 165°F.
Air fryer method
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Spray the air fryer basket with oil, then place the chicken skin-side up. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F inside.
Leftovers
Store leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Always use common sense and good judgment when it comes to leftovers, though! If something looks or smells funky, don’t eat it.
I hope y’all enjoy this butterflied chicken legs recipe! Let me know if you try it.
More Recipes Like This
- Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Spatchcock Chicken
- Roasted Rotisserie Chicken
- Chicken Ranch Wraps
- Chicken Adobo
- Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
Share this recipe
Did you try this recipe? Give it a star rating. Pin it and share it if it looks good to you. And be sure and stay connected on social media!
Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok
Be sure and check out all my favorite kitchen tools in my Amazon store (affiliate).
Butterflied Chicken Legs
These butterflied chicken legs are packed with flavor from a simple marinade made with avocado oil, tamari, brown sugar, garlic powder, oregano, and spices.
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 chicken legs skin-on
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon tamari sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix the marinade in a large bowl: avocado oil, brown sugar, tamari sauce, salt, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper.
- To butterfly a chicken drumstick: Find the thickest part of the chicken drumstick. Use the pointed end of a sharp knife to slice down the bone, from the thick meaty end toward the bony tip of the chicken. Carefully make a cut below the chicken on one side of the middle slice. Lift up the flap and spread it flat. Repeat on the other side. Repeat with all drumsticks. You can also do this step with chicken shears, if preferred.
- Place drumsticks into the marinade bowl, and massage the chicken with your hands to fully coat in the marinade.
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge, or overnight in the fridge.
- To bake: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, and place a baking rack on top that fits within the baking sheet. Grease everything with cooking spray. Place chicken skin-side up onto the rack and bake for 45 minutes, until cooked through and reaching at least 165°F internally.
- To grill: Preheat your grill to 400°F and cook drumsticks, covered, on each side for about 5 to 8 minutes, until charred and cooked through and reaching at least 165°F internally.
- To air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Grease the basket and cook skin-side up for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken reaches at least 165°F internally.
Recipe Notes
- Easiest to butterfly the chicken when it is cold.
- This recipe is amazing paired with Air Fryer Green Beans.
- Easily double or triple this recipe for a big family or a crowd.
Leave a Reply