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top down view of seasoned boiled chicken legs in a serving dish
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How Long To Boil Chicken Legs

Perfectly cooked chicken drumsticks ready in less than 30 minutes.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Western
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 337kcal
Author Bintu Hardy

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

  • Wash and chop the carrot and quarter the onion.
  • Add carrots, onions, peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and chicken legs to a large Dutch oven or stock pot.
  • 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).
  • Remove chicken and strain out the broth.
  • If desired, brush with BBQ sauce before serving.

To finish boiled chicken legs in the broiler, oven, or air fryer

  • After removing boiled chicken legs from the broth, pat them dry with paper towels.
  • Then toss with preferred seasonings and coat with BBQ sauce (or other sauce).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • Wash and chop the carrot and quarter the onion.
  • Add carrots, onions, peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and the frozen chicken legs to a large Dutch oven or stock pot.
  • 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).
  • Remove the chicken legs and follow instructions above for finishing.

Video

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).

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 657mg | Potassium: 521mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1898IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg