Summer means one thing for food lovers everywhere—grill season! And when it comes to barbecue favorites, few cuts deliver the juicy, savory satisfaction of chicken legs and drumsticks. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout, stocking your restaurant menu, or helping customers fill their summer tables, grilled chicken is a seasonal staple that never goes out of style.
Why Chicken Legs and Drumsticks?
Chicken legs and drumsticks are summer grilling heroes for a few key reasons:
- Rich Flavor: Dark meat has more fat than breast meat, which means it stays moist and flavorful on the grill—even with high heat.
- Affordable Cuts: Compared to other chicken parts, legs and drumsticks offer unbeatable value, often costing up to 20% less than quarter legs or boneless options.
- Versatile Cooking: These cuts hold up beautifully to marinades, spice rubs, and sauces—from sweet and smoky BBQ to spicy jerk or zesty lemon-herb.
Grilling Tips for Juicy, Crispy Chicken
To make the most of chicken legs and drums this summer, keep these expert grilling tips in mind:
- Marinate for Depth: Give your chicken a head start by marinating for at least 4 hours—or overnight—for deeper flavor penetration.
- Use Indirect Heat: Start by cooking the chicken over indirect heat with the grill covered. Then, move it to direct heat at the end to crisp the skin.
- Don’t Rush It: Legs and drums cook best low and slow—reaching an internal temperature of 175–185°F ensures the collagen breaks down for tender meat.
- Sauce Late: If using a sugary BBQ sauce, brush it on during the last 5–10 minutes of cooking to avoid burning.
Elevate Your Summer Menus
Chicken legs and drumsticks aren’t just perfect for grilling—they’re ideal for foodservice operations, summer promotions, and retail specials. Offer them in meal kits with marinades and sides, serve them hot and fresh at events, or bundle for value-driven promotions.
Stock Up for Summer
At Quaker Valley Foods, we offer a wide selection of fresh and frozen chicken legs and drumsticks—perfect for grilling season. Whether you’re looking for bulk packs for foodservice or retail-ready options for your store shelves, we’ve got the value and quality you need.
This summer, make your menus sizzle with the bold, smoky flavor of grilled chicken. Legs and drums bring the taste, texture, and tradition customers crave.
Contact us today to place your order—and let the grilling begin!
Quaker Valley Foods is the premier chicken distributor in the Philadelphia and Mid-Atlantic region. Contact a Quaker Valley Foods Sales Specialist
(215-992-0900) and place your order today.