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How Long To Boil Chicken Legs

Perfectly cooked chicken drumsticks ready in less than 30 minutes.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 337 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 48 ounces (1.4kg) chicken drumsticks
  • 1 teaspoon peppercorns
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 onion
  • 3-5 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup (280g) BBQ sauce - or sauce of your choice optional, and for finishing

Instructions

To boil chicken legs
    Cup of Yum
  1. Wash and chop the carrot and quarter the onion.
  2. Add carrots, onions, peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and chicken legs to a large Dutch oven or stock pot.
  3. Cover with water and boil for 19-25 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature should be at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C).
  4. Remove chicken and strain out the broth.
  5. If desired, brush with BBQ sauce before serving.
To finish boiled chicken legs in the broiler, oven, or air fryer
  1. After removing boiled chicken legs from the broth, pat them dry with paper towels.
  2. Then toss with preferred seasonings and coat with BBQ sauce (or other sauce).
  3. Place on a baking tray in a single layer and put under the broiler for a couple of minutes per side, until the skin is brown and crispy.
  4. You can also place the baking sheet in an oven preheated to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C for about 10-12 minutes. Turn legs halfway through so both sides crisp evenly.
  5. To finish in the air fryer, preheat to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C, then place drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for about 5-7 minutes, flipping them over halfway through cook time.
To boil frozen chicken legs
  1. Wash and chop the carrot and quarter the onion.
  2. Add carrots, onions, peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and the frozen chicken legs to a large Dutch oven or stock pot.
  3. Cover with water and boil for 25-35 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature should be at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C).
  4. Remove the chicken legs and follow instructions above for finishing.

Notes

  • Make sure you use a large pot to easily hold all the meat. Please make sure the pieces are fully covered by the water during cooking. Save the flavorful chicken broth and use it to make soup or cook some pasta. I tend to keep the skin on as I can get the chicken skin crispy under the broiler. Cook the meat perfectly - keep an eye on it and test the internal temperature (should reach at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C) using a meat thermometer to avoid undercooked or overcooked chicken legs. Handling raw chicken incorrectly can lead to food poisoning. Please clean all kitchen tools used and properly wash your hands to avoid contamination or food poisoning. Storage - keep in an airtight container inside the fridge for 3 days. There are 6 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving (without sauce).
  • Make sure you use a large pot to easily hold all the meat.
  • Please make sure the pieces are fully covered by the water during cooking.
  • Save the flavorful chicken broth and use it to make soup or cook some pasta.
  • I tend to keep the skin on as I can get the chicken skin crispy under the broiler.
  • Cook the meat perfectly - keep an eye on it and test the internal temperature (should reach at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C) using a meat thermometer to avoid undercooked or overcooked chicken legs.
  • Handling raw chicken incorrectly can lead to food poisoning. Please clean all kitchen tools used and properly wash your hands to avoid contamination or food poisoning.
  • Storage - keep in an airtight container inside the fridge for 3 days.
  • There are 6 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving (without sauce).

Nutrition Information

Calories 337kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 140mg (47%) Sodium 657mg (27%) Potassium 521mg (15%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 17g (34%) Vitamin A 1898IU (38%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 44mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 337

% Daily Value*

Calories 337kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 140mg 47%
Sodium 657mg 27%
Potassium 521mg 11%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 17g 34%
Vitamin A 1898IU 38%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 44mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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