Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are the perfect weeknight meal or cooked at your next BBQ. These drumsticks are full of BBQ flavor and super juicy.
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Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks:
We love when it is grilling season. These BBQ Chicken legs on the grill are usually on the top of our list. They are so easy to make and my kids love them.
The chicken always come out so flavorful and juicy. We love to baste the chicken after it is done with BBQ sauce. BBQ Chicken Drumsticks on the grill are quick to make so they are the perfect weeknight meal.
These drumsticks are a summer staple when we have everyone over to swim. They are the perfect size to eat with your hands which makes for an easy cleanup. Less dishes means more time to hang with your friends.
Do you put BBQ Sauce on Chicken before Grilling?
We recommend waiting until the chicken done cooking before adding the BBQ sauce. If you add the BBQ sauce to early then it will burn the chicken.
BBQ Chicken Leg Ingredients:
- Chicken Drumsticks
- Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Chili Powder
- Onion Powder
- BBQ Sauce
How to Grill BBQ Chicken Drumsticks:
- Prepare the Gas Grill – Preheat your grill over medium high heat to approximately 400 degrees F. Spray the grill grates with a non-stick cooking spray or rub with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking to the grates.
- Combine Ingredients – Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl.
- Season the Chicken – Place the drumsticks in a large bowl, pour the oil on top and sprinkle the seasonings over the drumsticks. Toss to make sure that the drumsticks are thoroughly coated in the olive and the seasoning mixture.
- Begin Grilling the Chicken – Place the drumsticks on direct heat and grill for 25-30 minutes flipping every 10-15 minutes.
- Add the BBQ Sauce – Brush the drumsticks with the barbecue sauce. Flip the chicken and brush the opposite side with the BBQ sauce has well. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Continue Grilling Chicken – Flip the chicken again, brush with more BBQ sauce and cook the opposite side for 3-4 more minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Remove, serve and enjoy – Then remove the drumsticks from the grill and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes and then the chicken is ready to serve and enjoy!
Can I make these in the Oven?
Yes, you can also make these in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes (flipping every 10-15 minutes) until the chicken reaches an internal temperature for 165 degrees F.
Then brush the BBQ sauce onto the drumsticks and cook for 4-5 more minutes to caramelize the BBQ sauce.
Variation Ideas:
- Change the Heat Source – These drumsticks can be cooked in the Air Fryer, on a Charcoal Grill, or in the oven.
- Use Different Seasoning – Add cayenne pepper to make a spicy chicken drumsticks.
- Smoked Paprika – We love the flavor that smoked paprika adds to these drumsticks.
- Make Homemade BBQ Sauce – With a few simple ingredients you can make Homemade BBQ Sauce.
How long to Grill Chicken Legs?
The cook times will vary based on the size of the chicken. We being by cooking chicken for about 30 minutes. We also flip the chicken every 10 minutes to make sure all sides are cooked.
Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked to the correct temperature.
Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. A meat thermometer makes sure that your chicken is thoroughly cooked and reaches 165 degrees.
Chicken Leg Grilling Tips:
- Season your drumsticks – Seasoning your drumsticks with a dry rub helps with the crispy skin.
- Use Meat Thermometer – When checking for doneness for you chicken drumsticks, do not guess. Meat thermometer ensures your cooking your chicken drumsticks reached 165 degrees.
- Grilling Chicken – When grilling the drumsticks, gently flip the drumsticks. Use the tongs to flip them so that the chicken skin doesn’t stick to the grates.
- Lid Closed – Keep the grill lid closed to ensure that the chicken drumsticks cook evenly.
How do you Keep Chicken Legs from sticking to the Grill?
To keep the chicken legs from sticking to the grill, make sure you oil the grates. You can use cooking spray or rub oil on the grates. Having the grill at a temperature of about 400 degrees, also helps the chicken from sticking.
Also frequently rotating the chicken helps the chicken from sticking to the grates.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Legs?
When we prepare sides for this chicken drumsticks, I love to make sides that I can put directly on the grill. These are some of our favorites:
- Grilled Green Beans in Foil
- Grilled Carrots in Foil
- Baked Potatoes on the Grill
- More Grilled Chicken Side Dishes
How to Store Leftovers:
Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 5 days. You can even shred the chicken off the bone and use the chicken for other meals.
Print Recipe here for Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks:
Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 2 lb Chicken Drumsticks
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your grill over medium high heat to approximately 400 degrees F. Spray the grill grates with a non-stick cooking spray or rub with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking to the grates.
- Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl.
- Place the drumsticks in a large bowl, pour the oil on top and sprinkle the seasonings over the drumsticks. Toss to make sure that the drumsticks are thoroughly coated in the olive and the seasoning mixture.
- Place the drumsticks on direct heat and grill for 25-30 minutes flipping every 10-15 minutes.
- Brush the drumsticks with the BBQ sauce. Flip the chicken and brush the opposite side with the BBQ sauce has well. Cook for 3 minutes. Flip the chicken again, brush with more BBQ sauce and cook the opposite side for 3-4 more minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Then remove the drumsticks from the grill and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes and then the chicken is ready to serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*You can also make these in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes (flipping every 10-15 minutes) until the chicken reaches an internal temperature for 165 degrees F. Then brush the BBQ sauce onto the drumsticks and cook for 4-5 more minutes to caramelize the BBQ sauce.
Nutrition Facts
More Grilled Chicken Recipes:
- Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
- Beer Can Chicken Recipe
- Blackstone BBQ Drumsticks Recipe
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipe
- Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick Recipe
- More Grilled Chicken Recipes
