Grilled chicken legs with the best garlicky harissa marinade! Warm spices and plenty of citrus give these grilled chicken drumsticks a decidedly Mediterranean twist. So easy and delicious.
Next-level grilled chicken drumsticks!
Few foods are as well-loved as chicken cooked over an open flame. But today's grilled chicken drumsticks recipe is next-level delicious, thanks to a bold and appropriately spicy garlic and harissa marinade!
I’m no stranger to using harissa on chicken thighs and even salmon–the spicy Tunisian paste made with chile peppers and warm spices including cumin, coriander, and caraway does wonders to elevate flavor!
For today’s grilled chicken legs, you can make my harissa paste recipe or, if you're short on time, buy a quality jar of it via our online shop to make the marinade. Combined with loads of garlic, lime juice, and a few robust spices, harissa makes an exceptional red marinade for chicken legs that will have you coming back for more.
Let’s talk marinade, how to grill chicken legs perfectly, and more!
In this post
What you need for the chicken marinade
Anytime you have a chance to marinate your chicken ahead of time for 2 to 4 hours, or even for just 30 minutes, do it! It makes a difference in infusing the chicken with flavor and in gently tenderizing it. And when your Mediterranean chicken marinade is made of harissa paste, loads of garlic, and a few spices, you just can’t go wrong! Here is what you need for the marinade:
- Garlic - You need a whopping 15 cloves, peeled and roughly chopped. Don’t worry about being too precise: The garlic gets tossed into the food processor along with the other marinade ingredients.
- Harissa paste - Made with chiles, garlic, bell peppers, and more, harissa is simply packed with flavor! You can either use homemade or quality store-bought harissa paste; both will work very well!
- Herbs and spices - Warm nutmeg, tart sumac, and earthy dried thyme play up the Eastern Mediterranean vibes even more.
- Lime or lemon juice - Citrus is an important component of this marinade, because the acidity helps to tenderize the chicken legs.
- Extra virgin olive oil - Olive oil helps to transfer fat-soluble flavors into the chicken, as some flavors will not penetrate the meat without the aid of a cooking fat.
How to grill chicken drumsticks?
For juicy, grilled chicken legs, cook them on a medium-heated grill for about 30 to 40 minutes, leaving the grill covered, and turning the chicken over every 7 minutes or so. And for the best flavor, budget some time to marinate the drumsticks before grilling. It's worth it!
How make grilled chicken legs
Here are the steps for how to make this chicken recipe, I've included photos for my visual learners (the print-friendly recipe with ingredient measurements is just below):
- Make the marinade. In a food processor, blend 15 cloves roughly chopped garlic, 6 tablespoons harissa paste, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 ½ teaspoons sumac, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, fresh lime juice (either 2 large limes or lemons), and 4 tablespoons olive oil.
- Marinate the chicken legs. Pat chicken dry (20 drumsticks) and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Apply the spice rub to the chicken, making sure to also get under the skin. Do not discard the remaining marinade. Place the chicken in a jumbo zip-top bag and pour the remaining marinade on top. Seal the bag and massage the chicken so it’s well-coated in the harissa-garlic marinade. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours or overnight.
- Grill. Heat an outdoor grill to medium. A gas or charcoal grill is fine. Grill the drumsticks, covered, for 35-40 minutes or until well done (they should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F). As they grill, turn the chicken legs every 7-8 minutes or so using tongs. Once cooked, arrange the grilled chicken on a large serving platter and enjoy with some sides (ideas below!).
How long to grill chicken legs?
Like I mentioned earlier, over medium heat, bone-in chicken legs will take anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes to cook through. Be sure to cover the grill so the drumsticks cook on the inside as well without the outside becoming burned. Chicken drumsticks are fully cooked when the juices run clear (not bloody or pink) or when the internal temperature is 165 degree F when measured with a meat thermometer near the bone.
What to serve along
I like to serve this chicken drumsticks recipe with grilled watermelon or simple roasted carrots. And you can’t go wrong with a salad, like a red cabbage salad, no-mayo potato salad, kidney bean and cilantro salad, or couscous salad.
Leftovers and storage
Store leftover grilled chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in a skillet over medium heat (perhaps with a little olive oil) until warmed through.
More grilled chicken recipes
Next-Level Grilled Chicken Legs (Best Marinade)
Ingredients
- 15 garlic cloves, peeled, roughly chopped
- 6 tablespoon harissa paste
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoom sumac
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 large limes or lemons, juice of
- 4 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 20 large chicken drumsticks
- Salt and pepper
- 1 large red onion, sliced
Instructions
- To make the garlic-harissa marinade, in a food processor, blend the chopped garlic, harissa paste, nutmeg, sumac, thyme, lime juice and olive oil.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Now apply the garlic-harissa marinade to the chicken drumsticks, particularly underneath the skin. Do not discard the remaining marinade.
- Place the chicken drumsticks with the sliced onions in a large jumbo kitchen bag with a seal. Pour the extra marinade on top. Seal the bag shut and massage the contents so that the chicken is well covered in the garlic-harissa marinade.
- Refrigerate for four hours or overnight.
- When ready, heat an outdoor grill to medium. Grill the drumsticks on medium heat, covered, for 35-40 minutes or until well done. As they grill, turn the drumsticks every 7-8 minutes.
Video
Notes
- Marinating tip: If you have the time, chicken should be marinated in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours or overnight before grilling. If not, try letting the chicken sit in the marinade for around 30 minutes.
- If you choose to substitute harissa with a different chili paste, select one that does not have sweet undertones. You want to go spicy-tangy for this recipe. And of course, if you prefer a less spicy drumstick, reduce the amount of harissa or chili paste to your taste.
- What to serve along? Try grilled chicken drumsticks with grilled watermelon, simple roasted carrots, no-mayo potato salad, kidney bean salad, or couscous salad.
- How to store leftovers: Leftover chicken legs will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat (maybe with a little olive oil) until warmed through.
- Visit Our Shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, spices, and more. You can find quality harissa paste there, too!
Nutrition
*This post first appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2015 and has been recently updated with new information and media for readers' benefit.
You make dinner look soo easy and delicious! Another recipe I plan to pass!
Kristen, you are too kind. This is for sure an easy recipe, the key is in the marinade!
These would be great for this holiday weekend. I love spicy food! Thanks for the recipe.
Debi, thank you! This is an easy go-to recipe for the grill.
Harissa is one of my favourite things to cook with. I just love how it adds a delicious spiciness to everything. These drumsticks look crazy good!
Kristen, thanks for stopping in! I am a big fan of harissa, such a versatile ingredient.
What a lovely recipe, I do like a bit if zing and heat to BBQ chicken. They look so good served with all those herbs.
This chicken has some good zing for sure, Helen! So glad to see you here.
Oh Suzy. These photos make me want to reach into my screen and steal a drumstick.
Yummy!
Claire, so great to see you back here, friend! Thank you for the sweet comment. These are totally stealable drumsticks. I am having to make them over and over for friends.
This chicken recipe looks amazing!
Thank you, Jillian! A super easy go-to recipe for sure!
Dear Suzy, as always, beautiful meal and beautiful photos. This sounds so flavorful and delicious. A perfect Labor Day Weekend meal. xo, Catherine
Catherine, thank you. You are always way too kind. These chicken drumsticks just hit the spot for labor day. Great grill recipe.
This sounds like a great recipe for the holiday weekend!! Love the spicy combo!!
It was perfect, Rebecca! Thank you for stopping in.
This looks like the perfect family meal. Great photos too.
Thank you! This is for sure a new favorite in my family.
We love finding new Mediterranean chicken recipes for the grill and yours looks awesome! So many great flavors, especially harissa!
Flavor is where it's at, Linda! Thanks so much.
The Harissa sounds awesome, I'm going to look for in my specialty markets. It's a nice addition of flavors for chicken.
Joanne, I found harissa at Target the other day!!! It is certainly becoming more mainstream!!
Would love to try this at the next boys night we host.
This would be perfect for boys night, Bintu! Great idea. Thanks for stopping in.
These drumsticks look so tasty and appetizing! Delicious combination of flavors!
Thank you, Katerina! It's all about flavor.
Fabulous wings Suzy. They look amazing!
Thank you, Sandy! They were amazing. I think I am making some more soon!
You are making me drool! I love a good harissa!
Jessica, thank you! Yes, harissa is the miracle ingredient in this recipe.
I love to use harissa. Adds such good flavor and color.
My husband isn't a big fan of drumsticks but I really love them. I am always trying new ways to get him on board. I bet he would love the flavors on these. I've never worked with harissa but I'm looking forward to it!
Yes, I would have to reduce the heat in this one. For The Hubby. But the whole idea of a spicy tangy grilled chicken has me drooling. On my "to do" list for sure.
Fantastic flavors going on in this recipe, they look mouth watering.
Thank you, Janette! I was so pleased with how these turned out. A new favorite in my household for sure!
PINNING! Chicken + GiGi = a rock solid relationship! 😉 I love sucking meat off the bone! HA HA HA!
Thanks a lot GiGi! So glad you stopped in. I think you would like these drumsticks! Happy weekend.