These delicious BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are marinated in the perfect BBQ sauce-based marinade and then grilled to perfection!
If you’re looking for a quick and easy BBQ grill recipe then definitely try this one! These BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are truly one of the best. We've been making these drumsticks for ages and they quickly fly off the serving tray each time.
Everyone loves handy recipes that can be prepped ahead of time, this is one such recipe. I prep and marinate my chicken drums the night before, then put them in the fridge and out of the way.
Letting it marinate in the fridge overnight is key for all that flavorful goodness to absorb into the chicken making it tender and tasty from within!
Once you try this recipe, I’m sure you’re going to absolutely fall in love with it!
Want to learn how to make these BBQ Chicken Drumsticks? Then keep on reading!
Table of Contents
- What are Chicken Drumsticks?
- Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- What You Need to Make BBQ Chicken Drumsticks at Home
- How to Make BBQ Chicken Drumsticks (Step-by-Step)
- Variation Ideas for BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- How to Know When the Chicken is Cooked Perfectly?
- Can You Bake BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Instead?
- How to Store Chicken Drumsticks
- Similar Chicken Recipes
- Recipe Card
- Comments
What are Chicken Drumsticks?
We all love Chicken Drumsticks but it sometimes confuses people as to which part of the chicken is the drumstick. Well, it is the lower, meaty leg portion of the bird.
The whole leg portion of a chicken, which includes both the thigh and drumstick, is referred to as a chicken leg.
When you cut the whole leg into two pieces, you get the thigh and the drumstick. The upper piece of the chicken leg is the thigh, while the lower calf part of the leg is the drumstick.
This recipe I’ll be sharing with you today is incredibly tasty, and is packed with protein but is low in carbs which is just perfect!
Chicken drumsticks are a delicious cut that is easy to grill or bake to perfection, and I’m sure you’re going to love my recipe. If you’re wondering why though, let me share some of the top reasons with you in the next section!
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
There are so many reasons why you’ll absolutely love this BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe!
For starters, it’s an incredibly easy recipe to make that requires very little prep time. It just doesn’t get easier than the marinade we’ll make and the grilling technique we’ll use. In fact, you can even bake these drumsticks!
They’re incredibly delicious, with juicy, perfectly cooked chicken on the inside, and perfectly crisp on the outside. The BBQ sauce is the perfect way to elevate the flavor and it takes everything to the next level.
Plus, this recipe is incredibly versatile! You can use your favorite chicken part with this marinade, including chicken breast or chicken thighs! I’ve also mentioned in this post how to change up the flavor of the marinade with a few ingredients.
What You Need to Make BBQ Chicken Drumsticks at Home
- Chicken drumsticks: This is the star ingredient of the recipe! We’ll be using 8 pounds of chicken drumsticks to make this recipe.
- Mrs. Dash seasoning: This is an incredibly delicious seasoning which is a combination of spices like onion powder, cumin, coriander, lemon powder etc. Trust me, it’s the perfect addition to this recipe!
- Smokehouse Maple seasoning: We’ll be using some of this seasoning to add an incredible layer of flavor to our chicken! It includes dried and ground bell peppers, some brown sugar, salt, maple syrup, etc. for the perfect flavor combination.
- Garlic salt: This will add the perfect salty and garlicky flavor to the chicken drumsticks for added depth.
- Salt and pepper: We’ll be using some salt and pepper to enhance the flavor and balance everything out.
- Barbecue sauce: For the liquid, we’ll be adding some BBQ Sauce to these spices to turn it into the perfect marinade for the chicken drumsticks! I’ve used Sweet Baby Ray’s brand, but you can go with whichever ones your favorite including Kraft, Bulls Eye, KFC Masterpiece, Stubb's, Jim Beam, and Famous Dave's.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Drumsticks (Step-by-Step)
Making these delicious BBQ Chicken Drumsticks is so incredibly simple that you’ll be amazed! Here’s how to make it step by step:
How to Marinate Chicken Drumsticks
Let’s prep the chicken first. Start by removing the skin from the drumstick pieces. This is optional, but we as a family prefer it since we don’t like the skin. It’s up to you to do it according to your family’s preference.
Next, place them into a large bowl and fill it with water so that all the chicken is covered in water. Let the chicken soak for an hour or two.
Drain the water and fill it up again. Pour into a strainer and rinse the chicken under running water. Leave drumsticks in the strainer for a bit for the excess water to drain.
Meanwhile, measure out all the seasonings on a large plate or a small bowl, then mix them together.
Next, transfer the drumsticks into a large bowl with a lid. Make sure to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
Sprinkle drumsticks with seasoning then add barbecue sauce to it.
Mix together so the drumsticks are well coated with seasoning and barbecue sauce.
Close the lid tight and place it into the refrigerator to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
How to Grill BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Time to grill the chicken! Grease the grill rack with oil so the drumsticks don’t stick to them. Heat grill to 400 degrees F grill setting.
Place drumsticks onto the rack and let them grill for about 20 minutes over a low fire or 400 F. Personally, I like the meat to cook slowly so it’s nice and well done inside, but you may grill however you like them. Save the leftover sauce in the bowl.
Turn drumsticks over, slather some of the leftover sauce from the marinating bowl and let them grill for another 20 minutes.
In addition, continue to brush the drumsticks with more sauce until it runs out.
Remove from the grill when done. Your delicious Chicken Drumsticks are ready to be served!
Variation Ideas for BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These BBQ Chicken Drumsticks taste incredible as they are, but here are a few ideas you can try to change things up:
Make them spicier: Add a little cayenne pepper to your marinade to make it spicier. For a little spice flavor, you can also go for some paprika instead.
Use garlic powder: If you love garlic, you can also add some extra garlic powder to take it to the next level.
Serve with side dishes: Serve these BBQ Chicken Drumsticks with side dishes of your choice. They pair well with mashed potatoes and fresh spring garden salad or any salad of your choice really. Oh, and don't forget about these deliciously amazing breadsticks as well!
How to Know When the Chicken is Cooked Perfectly?
The best way to know for sure whether or not your chicken drumsticks are perfectly cooked is to check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer.
The internal temperature should be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the chicken. That is approximately 75 degrees Celsius.
Can You Bake BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Instead?
Yes, you absolutely can and it will still turn out amazing. To bake your Chicken Drumsticks, preheat your oven to 400 F (205 C).
Place the chicken on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet and cook for 40 to 45 minutes, turning halfway through.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit to make sure it's cooked all the way through.
How to Store Chicken Drumsticks
These BBQ Chicken Drumsticks store incredibly well in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can then reheat them in the oven at 400 degrees F.
If you want to freeze them, you can do that as well. Just freeze the cooked chicken drumsticks in a Ziploc freezer bag for up to three months. When ready to serve, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the oven.
Similar Chicken Recipes
- Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Wings
- Grilled Marinated Chicken Thighs
- Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs
- BBQ Chicken Wings
- Baked Breaded Chicken Drumsticks
Recipe Card
Perfectly Marinated BBQ Chicken Drumsticks (Quick and Easy)
Ingredients
BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients
- 8 lbs. - chicken drumsticks
Chicken Seasoning
- 1 tbsp. - Mrs. Dash seasoning
- 1 tbsp. - Smokehouse Maple seasoning
- ½ tbsp. - garlic salt
- 1 tsp. - sea salt
- ¼ tsp. - ground pepper
- 1 cup - barbecue sauce
Instructions
How to Marinate Chicken Drumsticks
- Let’s prep the chicken first. Start by removing the skin from the drumstick pieces. This is optional, but we as a family prefer it since we don’t like the skin. It’s up to you to do it according to your family’s preference.
- Next, place them into a large bowl and fill it with water so that all the chicken is covered in water. Let the chicken soak for an hour or two.
- Drain the water and fill it up again. Pour into a strainer and rinse the chicken under running water. Leave drumsticks in the strainer for a bit for the excess water to drain.
- Meanwhile, measure out all the seasonings on a large plate or a small bowl, then mix them together.
- Next, transfer the drumsticks into a large bowl with a lid. Make sure to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle drumsticks with seasoning then add barbecue sauce to it.
- Mix together so the drumsticks are well coated with seasoning and barbecue sauce.
- Close the lid tight and place it into the refrigerator to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
How to Grill BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Time to grill the chicken! Grease the grill rack with oil so the drumsticks don’t stick to them. Heat grill to 400 degrees F grill setting.
- Place drumsticks onto the rack and let them grill for about 20 minutes over a low fire or 400 F. Personally, I like the meat to cook slowly so it’s nice and well done inside, but you may grill however you like them. Save the leftover sauce in the bowl.
- Turn drumsticks over, slather some of the leftover sauce from the marinating bowl and let them grill for another 20 minutes.
- In addition, continue to brush the drumsticks with more sauce until it runs out.
- Remove from the grill when done. Your delicious Chicken Drumsticks are ready to be served!
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This recipe was originally posted on May 18, 2016 (original picture below), and updated for a better reader experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
Devorah says
What does the soaking in water do for the drumsticks. Can I skip it if I don’t have time?
www.valyastasteofhome.com says
You sure can skip this part if you'd like.
Tanya says
Thanks for wonderful recipe! Can I bake it instead of grilling? And what setting do you think? Thank you!
valyastasteofhome.com says
Hi Tanya! You sure can. I do it all the time during the cold winter days. Bake it in the oven for 30 - 35 minutes at 425 F. Glaze chicken with BBQ sauce and bake it for 5 more minutes. Enjoy!
Connie says
My husband loved the sauce. Myself too! We will use it on ribs too! However I would turn down the grill to 375 degrees and 15 min on each side.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
That's awesome! It depends on the size of the the drummies. The ones I used were pretty big. Thank you for your feedback! 🙂
Karly says
Now this just screams summertime. Love love love that juicy marinade and crispy grilled finish! A must-try, for sure!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
For sure! Thank you for stopping by and commenting Karly. 🙂