Description
These Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are bursting with flavor and easy to prepare, making them a fantastic choice for summer meals or any casual gathering. Enjoy the sweet and smoky taste from a simple dry rub and homemade BBQ sauce, perfect for family cookouts and weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- chili powder or cayenne pepper, optional and to taste for spiciness
- 4 pounds chicken legs, if using frozen, make sure you allow ample time to fully thaw
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup apricot jam, apple or grape jelly work well, orange marmalade is a less sweet option
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together all seasonings and spices to create a dry rub.
- Pat the chicken legs dry, then coat them evenly with the dry rub. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight.
- In a small saucepan, combine BBQ sauce and jam. Heat over medium-low until simmering for about 10 minutes until thickened.
- Preheat the grill, oil the grates, and set one side to high heat and the other to medium heat. Grill chicken on medium heat for 5 minutes with the lid closed.
- Flip the drumsticks, rearranging them so that those farther from the heat are moved closer, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- When chicken has about 4-5 minutes left, baste generously with BBQ sauce mixture, cooking for 2 minutes with the lid closed. Flip and baste the other side, cooking for 2 more minutes or until reaching an internal temp of 165F.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish as desired.
Notes
Make sure to remove chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling to ensure even cooking.
If you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the dry rub.
Garnish with fresh herbs or red pepper flakes for added flavor and a pop of color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 90mg