Name: BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 8-10 chicken drumsticks; 1 cup barbecue sauce

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Fire up your taste buds with our mouth-watering BBQ grilled chicken drumsticks. Perfectly seasoned and grilled to perfection, they’re sure to be a hit at your next cookout.

This recipe for BBQ chicken drumsticks is ideal for cooking chicken over the grill grates of a smoker. The indirect heat cooks these drumsticks to perfection.

Coated in a tangy BBQ sauce, they are packed with flavor, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready to wow your whole family.

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Nothing beats a summer afternoon with the smell of sizzling grilled drumsticks wafting through the air. This easy recipe is a surefire crowd-pleaser, perfect for a game day, a busy weekday dinner, or when you’re just craving that BBQ flavor.

It’s tangy, smoky, and pairs perfectly with classic BBQ sides like potato salad, pasta salad, or even chips for the perfect summer feast.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This BBQ chicken recipe is all about big flavor with minimal effort. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll have an easy family dinner that works for any occasion, whether you’re planning a laid-back gathering or feeding the kids on a Tuesday.

Plus, the crispy skin and smoky, caramelized edges make it irresistible. Best of all, it’s a guaranteed family favorite!

This BBQ chicken recipe makes the most delicious drumsticks with beautiful grill marks. They make the perfect summer dinner when paired with this loaded potato salad, corn on the cob, or dill pickle pasta salad.

How Long Does It Take to Grill Drumsticks?

This depends on how hot your grill is. A good rule of thumb is that chicken drumsticks will take 30-35 minutes to cook on a grill that is preheated to medium-high, about 400°F.

Combine a few basic ingredients to create easy and tasty grilled drumsticks this grilling season. This cooking method is the best way to cook flavorful and tender chicken drumsticks, hands down.

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Supplies

Traeger 780 Pro Smoker Grill – This is our Traeger model. It’s the perfect size for families who like to entertain! Be sure to check out all of our must have Traeger products.
Meater Thermometer – We love this wireless meat thermometer. It connects to an app that tells you exactly when your meat is done!
BBQ tongs – These are my favorite tongs for grasping grilled meat.
Basting brush – This one is great for coating each drumstick in BBQ sauce.
Paper towels – A must for cleanup!
Aluminum foil – Used to wrap and transport the chicken.

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients

Chicken drumsticks – Juicy, tender, and perfect for grabbing, drumsticks are always a hit.
BBQ sauce – You can use your favorite store-bought sauce, but we love this homemade BBQ sauce for all of our grilling. It combines brown sugar, ketchup, and seasonings in a way that our whole family loves.

Instructions

1. Baste the drumsticks with BBQ sauce, being sure to coat each piece of chicken.

2. Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for an hour.

3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F.

4. Place drumsticks on the grill, leaving a little space between each, and baste with BBQ sauce.

5. Cook for 15 minutes, turn, and baste with more BBQ sauce.

6. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 170°F when measured with a meat thermometer.

Let rest for 3-5 minutes, then plate with your favorite sides.

We are avid grillers during the summer time! Check out a few of our favorite chicken recipes below.

More Chicken Recipes

Tips and Tricks

Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to help the BBQ sauce stick better.
Add a little bit of onion powder, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper, or cayenne to the coated chicken before grilling to take them up a notch.
Experiment with a dry rub before adding BBQ sauce for layered smoky flavors. We make our own dry rub for all of our smoked recipes.
Test out a variety of different BBQ sauces to find the ones you like best.
For less mess, line your grill with aluminum foil or brush with olive oil.
Store leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes! For air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks, cook at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.

Can I use chicken breasts instead?
Yes, but adjust the cooking times since breasts cook faster than dark chicken meat.

What sides go best with BBQ chicken?
Pair it with classic BBQ sides like loaded potato salad, corn on the cob, or dill pickle pasta salad, or even some roasted veggies.

Can I use store-bought BBQ sauce?
Absolutely! Grab your favorite from the grocery store or try Sweet Baby Ray’s for a reliable, crowd-pleasing flavor. Any BBQ sauce will work, but making your own takes it to the next level.

Grilled barbecue chicken drumsticks on parchment paper. The drumsticks are glazed with a rich, sticky sauce and display a smoky, slightly charred finish. The text at the top reads Barbecue Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with a URL at the bottom.

Get ready to enjoy the best BBQ chicken drumsticks of your life! Serve them up, dig in, and watch them disappear.

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