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Campfire Chicken Recipe (Easy Campfire Chicken Legs)

Juicy, smoky campfire chicken legs made with simple pantry spices and finished with BBQ sauce. This easy campfire chicken recipe is perfect for family camping trips and kid-friendly outdoor dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 -6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

🥘 Ingredients
  • 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • BBQ sauce for brushing after cooking

Method
 

🔥 Instructions
  1. Prepare your campfire with a hot zone (direct heat) and a cool zone (indirect heat). Set a grill grate over the fire if available.
  2. Pat chicken drumsticks dry and coat evenly with cooking oil.
  3. In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme. Rub seasoning all over the chicken.
  4. Place drumsticks on the cool zone of the fire. Close lid or tent foil loosely and cook for 15–20 minutes.
  5. Turn drumsticks and cook another 10–15 minutes over indirect heat.
  6. Move chicken to the hot zone and cook 3–5 minutes to char and finish cooking.
  7. Brush lightly with BBQ sauce and cook 1–2 minutes until glaze is set.
  8. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F
  • Best cooked over hot coals, not open flames
  • BBQ sauce can be swapped for honey BBQ or spicy BBQ