Delicious Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks - the perfect summer grilling recipe! This barbecue chicken legs recipe gives you smoky, juicy meat and a sticky BBQ glaze that clings to every bite. They are ideal for backyard cookouts, weeknight dinners, or easy meal prep. You're going to love this sweet sticky goodness!
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- Chicken Drumsticks On The Grill!
- The best barbecue chicken marinade for the grill!
- Ingredients for the Barbecue Chicken Marinade:
- How to make the Barbecue Chicken Marinade:
- How to make grilled BBQ chicken drumsticks:
- Storing, Reheating and Freezing Barbecue Chicken Legs
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Chicken Drumsticks On The Grill!
Because my main guy is all about some juicy tender BBQ, I decided to showcase these Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks today in his honor! He LOVES him some barbecue!
Happy Father’s Day to my dude crew out there! Thanks for loving and leading your families. For protecting and providing… for making us laugh, for showing us love, and for just being you!
Let’s hear it for the boys!!!
I'm serving up this grilled BBQ chicken recipe for all my meat-loving men (and women)!!
These drumsticks are all kinds of special my friend. And if you or your guy are not into the dummies then use whatever cut of meat you’d like… thighs, chicken breasts, or even chicken wings. They are crazy good!
And it all starts with the marinade.
The best barbecue chicken marinade for the grill!
This barbecue chicken marinade is sweet, savory, and (a little bit) spicy sauce that the meat hangs out in for 2-24 hours. I’m not gonna lie – it does amazing things to this chicken. It not only infuses flavor but it makes the chicken legs sooo tender.
It’s very similar to the marinade we use for our BBQ Baby Back Ribs but the ratios are recalculated for this recipe.
So brilliant – right!??
Ingredients for the Barbecue Chicken Marinade:
- Brown sugar - Adds sweetness that balances the vinegar and helps create that beautiful caramelized glaze when grilled.
- Apple cider vinegar - Brings a tangy brightness and helps tenderize the chicken.
- Garlic cloves, minced - Adds bold, savory flavor and depth. Garlic is a must-have for that classic BBQ taste!
- Onion powder - Brings warm, mellow flavor and enhances the overall seasoning without the need for chopped onions.
- Smoked paprika - Adds smoky flavor and a reddish BBQ color, mimicking a wood-fired BBQ vibe.
- Dry mustard - Gives a tangy zip and rounds out the flavors with a subtle kick.
- Salt & pepper - These pantry staples bring out all the other flavors and season the chicken perfectly.
- Cayenne - Adds a hint of heat. Feel free to increase it if you like your BBQ with a spicy edge!
How to make the Barbecue Chicken Marinade:
- Mix the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic cloves, onion powder, smoked paprika, dry mustard, salt and pepper, and a pinch of cayenne together until combined.
- Massage it into the chicken legs. Cover them and place them in the refrigerator to marinate for 2 hours to 12 hours.
This grilled drumstick recipe is marinated, grilled, and then slathered in some… wait for it… more delicious BBQ sauce.
They are sooo good! I literally can’t stop eating these grilled chicken legs… And I’m usually a chicken breast girl. Whaaaa!?? Crazy talk!
And all I can say is strange things are afoot over here people, in the best way possible.
Trust me when I tell you this is a standout among barbecue chicken leg recipes - especially when it comes to summertime grilling.
Shall I disclose the details of this BBQ amazingness? YESSSS...
How to make grilled BBQ chicken drumsticks:
Place the chicken legs in a resealable plastic bag.
Mix brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic cloves, onion powder, smoked paprika, dry mustard, salt & pepper, and a pinch of cayenne together and pour it over the chicken. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours to 12 hours.
How to grill chicken drumsticks:
Turn your grill on and let it heat up to 400 degrees. Then on one side of the grill turn half of the burners off. I have 4 burners so I turned off two on the right side.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess liquid. Now spray the drumsticks with grill spray and place them on the side of the grill that is turned off.
How long to grill Barbecue Chicken Legs:
Grill the chicken for 7 minutes on the first side with the grill closed. Putting the drumsticks over the burners that are turned off prevents the skin from burning.
Spray the other side of the chicken legs with cooking spray then flip them over close the grill and cook for 12-13 more minutes, or until their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. (Depending on how hot your grill stays you may need to turn the two burners that are off on but keep it at a low heat setting.)
Remove the chicken legs and baste with BBQ sauce then allow to rest for 5 minutes.
Note: If you want more grill marks place them over the burners that are on for a minute or two.
Storing, Reheating and Freezing Barbecue Chicken Legs
How to Store It:
Let the chicken cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How to Reheat It:
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes.
- Microwave for 2-3 minutes. The skin will not be crispy with this reheating method.
Can You Freeze It?
Yep - once cooled, freeze the chicken drumsticks in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Just adjust the cook time based on the size of the thigh by using a meat thermometer.
Absolutely—bake at 400°F for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway and brushing with sauce at the end.
My homemade BBQ "Secret Sauce" is my favorite but my back up is storebought Baby Sweet Ray's Sweet 'n Spicy Barbacue Sauce.
1. Use the two-zone grilling method I recommended, with a hot side for searing and a cooler side for cooking through.
2. Cook the chicken legs over indirect heat zone (the cooler side) to prevent burning.
3. Keep the grill lid closed to maintain consistent heat and prevent flare-ups.
4. Don't add BBQ sauce too early because the sugar can burn easily.
5. If you have flare-ups caused by dripping fat and move the chicken to a different spot on the grill. Or have a spray bottle full of water handy to spray the burner with the fire flare-up.
1. Make sure your grill grates are clean and brush them with oil before you start cooking.
2. Don't try to move or flip the chicken too soon; it will release naturally when it's ready. If it sticks let it cook longer and it will release.
3. Be sure to spray the chicken legs with a grill spray or you can add oil to the marinade to help prevent sticking.
These tasty Grilled BBQ chicken drumsticks will make any dad super glad! Not to mention all the others that are fortunate enough to share them with you!
They are everything you want in a summer recipe - tender, smoky, sticky, and totally irresistible!
Thanks, guys for all you do!
Other Delicious BBQ Recipes:
- “Secret Sauce” BBQ Baby Back Ribs
- Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
- Barbecue Chicken with Sweet Chili Peach Glaze
- Jalapeño Cilantro Mexican Corn Salad
- BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
- Sweet Cornbread - Caribbean Recipe!
Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
BBQ Chicken Legs marinated, grilled and then basted with delicious bbq sauce!
Ingredients
- 2.5-3 pounds chicken drumsticks (9-10 chicken legs)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt & pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne (use more if desired!)
- Grill spray
- BBQ Sauce of your choosing (see note below for homemade version*)
Instructions
- Place the chicken legs in a resealable plastic bag.
- Mix brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic cloves, onion powder, smoked paprika, dry mustard, salt & pepper, and a pinch of cayenne together and pour it over the chicken and massage it into each leg. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours to 12 hours.
- Turn your grill on and let it heat up to 400 degrees. Then on one side of the grill turn half of the burners off. I have 4 burners so I turned off two on the right side.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess liquid. Now spray the drumsticks with grill spray and place them on the side of the grill that is turned off.
- Grill the chicken for 7-8 minutes on the first side with the grill closed. Putting the drumsticks over the burners that are turned off prevents the skin from the drumsticks from burning.
- Spray the other side of the drumsticks with cooking spray then flip them over, close the grill and cook for 12-13 more minutes. Depending on how hot your grill stays you may need to turn the two off burners on gain but keep them at a low heat setting. Be sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. (If you want more grill marks place them over the burners that are on for a minute or two.)
- Remove the drumsticks and baste with BBQ sauce then allow them to rest for 5 minutes. Add more BBQ sauce if you desire and enjoy!
Note: If you want more grill makes place them over the burners that are on for a minute or two.
Notes
For the BBQ sauce, I recommend this homemade BBQ sauce we use on our ribs. But your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce will work too!
If you want more grill marks place them over the burners that are on for a minute or two.
Depending on how hot your grill stays you may need to turn the two off burners on again but keep them at a low heat setting.
Nutrition Information
Yield
10Serving Size
1 DrumstickAmount Per Serving Calories 283Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 173mgSodium 289mgCarbohydrates 8gFiber 0gSugar 6gProtein 33g
This nutrition card uses an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. This estimate is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice!
Bill
How do you calculate this provides 10 servings when it calls for 9 to 10 drumsticks?
Holly Sander
Hi Bill, I'm trying to give you an idea of what one drumstick would come out to in the nutrition calculator. That should make it easy to decide if your diet allows for one, three or five drumsticks.
Joe
Do you take the skin off for this marinade?
Holly Sander
Hey, Joe, I did remove the skin off my drumsticks.
Trina
Silly question: Do you mince the garlic?
Bryan
Hi Trina, yes you sure do mince the garlic before adding to the marinade. Enjoy! 🙂
Brent
Everything sounds great except the grill spray. I would never let that stuff touch something I plan to eat.
Holly Sander
Hi Brent, I'm curious, what do you use in place of grill spray?
Vplw
Nothing. I've never had to spray anything on my grill.
Holly Sander
Wow! Good for you.
Pam
Am I reading this right? Cook legs 5min. a side? How can they be done?
I just made the marinade and I love the taste.
Bryan
Hi Pam, it will depend somewhat on the size of your drumsticks, and you should use a meat thermometer to ensure that they reach 165F safe cooking temp. Having said that, the drumsticks we use here are a little on the smaller side so yours may need longer if they are bigger! Enjoy! 🙂
Adam
My thoughts exactly. In what world are drumsticks done in 10 minutes? They need 35-45 minutes.
Holly Sander
Hi Adam, I just retested this recipe and the cooking time was still around 15 minutes. I used a digital meat thermometer to make sure they were cooked to 165 degrees. One thing to think about is the size of the chicken legs - the ones I grilled were small to normal size.
Jackie
Can I make this ahead and freeze until I'm ready to use?
Bryan
Hi Jackie we've not tested that out but we'd suggest freezing in ziploc bag, then thaw in fridge for 24 hours when you want to eat them. To reheat, Put them on a a parchment-lined baking sheet, drizzle on a little more BBQ sauce, then bake for 15-20 minutes at 350F. Enjoy!
Rebekkah
Can I make this on the stove? Or bake it?
Bryan
Hi Rebekkah, we'd suggest baking them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, at 425F for 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165F. You may also consider switching the oven to broil for a minute or two at the end to crisp them up. If you do broil them you'll want to watch them closely to ensure they don't burn. Please let us know how they turn out! 🙂 - H&B
Jacqueline Debono
This is great we are having a BBQ tomorrow and I bought drumsticks! Can't wait to try your recipe!
Bryan
We'd love to know how they turned out!
penelopi
I make a similar recipe but instead of using meat I use tofu and a slightly different sauce. I tried your sauce and it was ,oh my! delicious!
Bryan
Hi Penelopi, glad you were able to make your own creation out of it! Enjoy!!