Getting Messy with BBQ Buffalo Chicken Legs, A Recipe Sure to Impress at Your Next Cookout!

Whether you’re firing up the grill for game day or looking for a fun twist on traditional wings, these spicy chicken legs deliver big-time flavor in every bite. Best of all, they’re incredibly easy to make and work with just a few simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. In this recipe, you’ll learn step-by-step how to get perfectly crispy skin, lock in juicy flavor, and balance the heat just right. So, if you’re searching for the ultimate game day appetizer or a crowd-pleasing BBQ dish, look no further — these Buffalo Chicken Legs are guaranteed to impress.

Feeds 4-6 people 

Prep time 15-20 minutes 

Cook time 60-90 minutes 

Why Buffalo Chicken Legs Work

Perfect Meat-to-Skin Ratio for Crispy, Juicy Results: Chicken legs have more skin and connective tissue compared to wings, which means more surface area to get crispy while locking in juices. When tossed in Buffalo sauce, that crispy skin becomes the ultimate flavor sponge.

Hearty, Satisfying, and Crowd-Pleasing: Let’s face it — chicken legs bring more meat to the party. They’re the kind of cut that satisfies both your BBQ crowd and your Buffalo wing lovers. Whether you’re tailgating, watching the game, or hosting a backyard hangout, they feel more like a meal than a snack.

Versatile for Cooking Methods and Flavor Layers: Buffalo chicken legs adapt well to multiple cooking methods — grill, smoker, oven, or even air fryer. You can start them low and slow for smoke, then crisp them over high heat. This versatility lets you layer flavor: brine them for tenderness, season them for depth, then finish with a buttery Buffalo glaze that clings beautifully to the skin.

Bold Buffalo Flavor Meets BBQ Soul: Buffalo sauce brings the punchy combo of vinegar heat and rich butter, and when it meets the smoky, charred flavor of grilled or smoked chicken legs — it’s next-level. This mashup of wing-night heat with backyard BBQ vibes is what keeps people reaching for more. 

Ingredients 

• 4-6 chicken legs (Thigh & Drumstick attached)
• Cajun Seasoning 
• Buffalo Sauce 
• Ranch or Bleu Cheese Dressing 
• Chopped Chives for garnish 
• Cooking oil (I used olive oil) 
• Pickle Juice

Homemade Buffalo Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup hot sauce
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Begin by gathering your ingredients. This homemade buffalo sauce recipe requires pantry staples that you likely already have on hand.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the hot sauce, unsalted butter, and white vinegar. Stir the mixture until the butter is fully melted and the ingredients are well combined.

Next, add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan. These seasonings add depth of flavor and the perfect amount of heat to your buffalo sauce.

Stir the mixture continuously, allowing it to simmer for 5-10 minutes. This simmering process helps the flavors meld together, creating a rich and flavorful sauce.

Taste the buffalo sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more salt, pepper, or hot sauce to suit your taste buds.

Once the sauce reaches your desired flavor profile, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. The buffalo sauce will thicken as it cools, so keep that in mind when adjusting the consistency.

Transfer the homemade buffalo sauce to a jar or airtight container for storage. It can be refrigerated for up to two weeks, although it’s so delicious, it likely won’t last that long!

This sauce is great with Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Instructions for Buffalo Chicken Legs

Prepare the Chicken Legs: Trim any excess skin and fat off the chicken legs for a cleaner presentation and better flavor absorption.

Optional Pickle Juice Brine: Submerge the chicken legs in pickle juice for 1 hour. (You can skip this step if you’re short on time, but it adds a unique tangy flavor!)

Secure the Skin: Using toothpicks, pin the sides of the skin to the meat to ensure it stays intact during cooking, resulting in crispy skin perfection!

Preheat Your Smoker/Oven: Set your smoker or oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for indirect cooking, providing a consistent and controlled heat source.

Cooking Process

Coat with Olive Oil: Generously coat the chicken legs on both sides with olive oil to enhance moisture and flavor.

Season with Cajun Spice: Sprinkle cajun seasoning over the chicken legs, ensuring all sides are evenly coated for a spicy kick.

Smoke/Slow Roast: Place the seasoned chicken legs in the smoker or oven, allowing them to cook low and slow to juicy perfection.

Keep Moist with Spritzing: Spritz the chicken legs with apple juice or water every 30 minutes to keep them moist and add a hint of sweetness.

Buffalo Sauce Finish: Once the chicken legs reach an internal temperature of 175 degrees Fahrenheit, coat them generously with tangy buffalo sauce for a flavor explosion.

Let Sauce Set: Allow the buffalo sauce to tack up for another 10-15 minutes, allowing it to adhere to the chicken legs for maximum flavor impact.

Final Touches: Drizzle creamy bleu cheese or ranch dressing over the top for a cooling contrast to the spicy buffalo sauce.

Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped chives over the chicken legs for a fresh burst of flavor and vibrant color. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the irresistible flavor of your homemade buffalo chicken legs!

You can also use this homemade sauce for Buffalo Wings

Love Buffalo flavor? Check out this Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip