Finger-Lickin’ Good: The Ultimate Guide to Grilling BBQ Chicken Drumsticks That’ll Make Your Neighbors Jealous

Let’s face it – there’s nothin’ quite like the smell of chicken sizzling on the grill during those hot summer days BBQ chicken drumsticks are practically a backyard tradition, and I’m gonna share my secrets for making the most mouth-watering, fall-off-the-bone tender drumsticks you’ve ever tasted Whether you’re a grill master or just bought your first Weber, these tips will have everyone thinking you’ve been doing this your whole life!

Why Chicken Drumsticks are the Perfect BBQ Choice

Let’s talk about why drumsticks are so great for grilling before we get to the how-to:

• They’re affordable (hello, feeding a crowd without breaking the bank!)
• Dark meat stays juicy even if you overcook them a little (perfect for us distracted grillers)
• The shape makes them easy to handle and flip
• Kids love eating meat on a stick (technically a bone, but you get it)
• They absorb flavor like nobody’s business

Choosing the Right Grill for Your BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

The grill you choose can make a big difference in how your chicken turns out, Let’s break down your options

Gas Grills

If convenience is your thing, gas grills are hard to beat. Brands like Weber, Nexgrill, and Char-Broil offer models with features like temperature gauges and side burners that make cooking chicken drumsticks super easy. Gas grills heat up fast and maintain consistent temperatures, which is perfect for BBQ chicken.

Charcoal Grills

For that authentic smoky flavor that’ll make your drumsticks taste like they came from a BBQ joint, charcoal is the way to go. Kettle grills, barrel grills, and kamado grills all work great for chicken. Weber charcoal grills are popular choices, and ceramic kamado grills like those from Kamado Joe retain heat amazingly well.

Pellet Grills

Want the best of both worlds? Pellet grills like those from Pit Boss and Z GRILLS give you smoky flavor with the convenience of temperature control. They use wood pellets that infuse your chicken with delicious flavor while maintaining consistent heat.

Smokers

If you’re going for that low-and-slow approach, smokers from brands like Oklahoma Joe’s will give your drumsticks that deep, rich flavor that’ll have everyone asking for your secret.

The Perfect BBQ Chicken Drumstick Recipe

Alright, now let’s get to the main event – how to actually make these bad boys!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 6-7 pounds skin-on chicken drumsticks (about 24 pieces)
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• Canola oil for brushing

For the BBQ Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup minced canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Kosher salt to taste

Step 1: Prep the BBQ Sauce

1. Heat the canola oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Add the garlic and onion, and cook until soft (about 5 minutes).
3. Reduce the heat to low and add the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, chipotles, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
5. Let it cool and set aside about 1/2 cup of sauce in a separate bowl for serving.

Tip: You can make this sauce ahead of time and put it in the fridge for one or two days. When the flavors have time to get to know each other, it tastes even better!

Step 2: Prepare Your Grill

Different grills require different prep, so here’s a quick breakdown:

Gas Grill Method:

1. Clean the grates with a grill brush.
2. Preheat to medium-high heat (about 375-425°F).
3. Create a two-zone setup with one side on direct heat and one side on indirect heat.

Charcoal Grill Method:

1. Clean the grates.
2. Fill your chimney starter with charcoal and light it.
3. Once the coals are ready (covered with white ash), arrange them for two-zone cooking.
4. Place the grate on top and let it heat up.

Pellet Grill Method:

1. Clean the grates.
2. Fill the hopper with your favorite wood pellets.
3. Set the temperature to 375-425°F and allow it to preheat.

Step 3: Season and Grill the Drumsticks

1. Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels (this helps them crisp up better).
2. Season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
4. Place the drumsticks on the direct heat zone.
5. Grill for about 5-7 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until they start to brown.
6. Move them to the indirect heat zone and close the lid.
7. Continue cooking for about 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 4: Apply the BBQ Sauce

This is where the magic happens, folks!

1. When the drumsticks are nearly done (around 155°F internal temp), start brushing them with your homemade BBQ sauce.
2. Turn them every few minutes, applying more sauce each time.
3. Let the sauce caramelize but be careful not to burn it (sugar burns easily).
4. Continue this process for about 10 minutes until the drumsticks reach 165°F and have a beautiful, sticky glaze.

Oven Method (When It’s Too Hot Outside)

Sometimes, like Ree Drummond from The Pioneer Woman says, it’s just too darn hot to stand over a scorching grill. Here’s her oven method for days when you want BBQ chicken without the sweat:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Brush 2 rimmed baking sheets with canola oil.
3. Season the drumsticks with salt and pepper and arrange them on the sheets without touching.
4. Bake until tender and beginning to brown, about 35-40 minutes.
5. Turn them over and brush with half the sauce.
6. Return to oven for 5 minutes.
7. Turn again, brush with remaining sauce, and bake for 5 more minutes until sticky and glazed.

Pro Tips for Grilling Perfect BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

I’ve made my share of mistakes over the years, so learn from me and avoid these common pitfalls:

• Don’t rush it: Chicken needs to be cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer!
• Keep the lid closed: Every time you peek, you lose heat and smoke.
• Oil your grill grates: This prevents that heartbreaking moment when half your chicken skin sticks to the grill.
• Two-zone cooking is your friend: It gives you control and prevents flare-ups.
• Don’t sauce too early: Sugar burns easily, so only apply BBQ sauce in the last 10 minutes of cooking.

The Best Side Dishes for BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

What’s a BBQ without awesome sides? Here are some killer companions for your drumsticks:

• Classic potato salad
• Coleslaw (the cool creaminess pairs perfectly with spicy BBQ)
• Baked beans (my fave!)
• Corn on the cob
• Pasta salad
• Broccoli salad

Cleaning Your Grill After Making BBQ Chicken

Don’t skip this step! A clean grill means better tasting food next time:

1. While the grill is still warm (not hot), use a grill brush to scrape off any stuck-on bits.
2. For gas grills, turn the heat up high for a few minutes to burn off residue, then brush again.
3. After brushing, apply a light coating of cooking oil or spray to keep the grates conditioned.

The Right Tools Make All the Difference

Having the right grilling tools will make your BBQ chicken adventure so much easier:

• Long-handled tongs
• Meat thermometer
• Grill brush
• Basting brush
• Heat-resistant gloves

Final Thoughts: It’s All About Practice

Look, nobody becomes a BBQ master overnight. When I grilled chicken drumsticks for the first time, they looked more like charcoal than food. But you’ll get better with each batch. You’ll find out how your grill works, how to control the heat, and how to make the perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and spicy.

The beauty of BBQ chicken drumsticks is that they’re forgiving. Everything about them is going to taste great, flaws and all. Now that the grill is hot, call some friends over, and start making memories at your own backyard BBQ.

Oh, and don’t forget the napkins – lots and lots of napkins. If your fingers aren’t sticky by the end, you’re not doing it right!

What’s your favorite BBQ chicken secret? Drop a comment below – I’m always looking to up my grill game!

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This article was inspired by recipes from The Pioneer Woman and grilling expertise from Home Depot and Lowe’s grilling sections. All mistakes, sauce stains, and slightly overcooked drumsticks are entirely my own.