Name: Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 8-10 chicken drumsticks; 1 cup water; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 5 tbsp brown sugar; 2 tbsp fresh ginger or 1 tsp ground; 1 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp minced garlic or 1 tsp ground; 2 Tbsp cornstarch; 1/4 cup water

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These teriyaki grilled chicken drumsticks are juicy, smoky, sticky, and packed with sweet-savory flavor for the ultimate summer BBQ meal.

This teriyaki chicken drumsticks recipe is ideal for cooking chicken over the grill grates of a smoker. The indirect heat cooks the drumsticks to perfection, with crispy skin and tender dark meat.

This easy recipe is one of our favorite ways to prepare teriyaki chicken legs! The simple teriyaki marinade is absolutely delicious and creates the perfect coating for drumsticks.

If you love teriyaki, give these teriyaki grilled chicken thighs, teriyaki steak foil packs, and teriyaki chicken foil packs a try too! And for a lower carb option, check out my sugar-free teriyaki sauce recipe.

Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!

This teriyaki 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 typically depends on how hot your grill is. A good rule of thumb is a grill that is heated to medium high (400°F) will cook chicken drumsticks in 30-35 minutes.

Combine a few basic ingredients to create easy and tasty grilled drumsticks this BBQ 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 and 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 affordable, drumsticks soak up marinade beautifully and are perfect for grilling season.
Water, for marinade – Helps balance the salty and sweet ingredients while creating the perfect consistency for the marinade.
Soy sauce – Adds rich umami flavor and gives the teriyaki sauce its classic savory taste.
Brown sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create that irresistible sticky glaze.
Fresh ginger (or 1 tsp ground) – Adds warm, zesty flavor that gives homemade teriyaki sauce a little kick.
Honey – Creates a glossy finish and adds natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with smoky grilled chicken.
Minced garlic (or 1 tsp ground) – Infuses the sauce with bold savory flavor.
Cornstarch – Thickens the teriyaki sauce so it clings to every drumstick.
Water, for cornstarch slurry – Combines with the cornstarch to create a smooth thickening mixture without lumps.
Sesame seeds – Add a light crunch and the perfect finishing touch.

Note: You can also use your favorite store-bought sauce, but we love this easy homemade teriyaki sauce. It combines simple ingredients like brown sugar, ginger, and soy sauce in a way that our whole family loves.

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine water, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, ginger, and garlic. Whisk together.

2. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water. Mix well.

3. Pour the first mixture into a medium saucepan and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes.

4. When the sauce begins to boil, add the cornstarch mixture and whisk continuously.

5. When the teriyaki marinade begins to thicken (about 2 minutes), remove from heat. Allow to cool to room temperature.

6. In a dish or freezer bag, coat the chicken in 3/4 of the teriyaki marinade and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks on open Traeger grill

7. Place the chicken drumsticks on the grill, discard marinade, and baste with reserved teriyaki sauce.

basting teriyaki chicken on the Traeger grill

8. Cook for 15 minutes, turn, and baste with sauce again.

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks no sesame seeds

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

10. Top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or diced green onion.

Tips and Tricks

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Add a little bit of onion powder, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper, or cayenne pepper to the coated chicken before grilling to take them up a notch.
You could coat the chicken legs with a spice rub before basting with teriyaki sauce. We make our own dry rub for all of our smoked recipes.
Test out a variety of different teriyaki sauces to find the ones that suit your family’s tastes.
Use chicken thighs or chicken breasts instead of drumsticks for a new dish.

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

More Chicken Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grill chicken drumsticks?
Chicken drumsticks typically take about 30–35 minutes on a grill heated to medium-high heat (around 400°F), turning occasionally for even cooking.

What temperature should chicken drumsticks be cooked to?
Chicken drumsticks are safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F, though many people prefer cooking dark meat to 170–175°F for extra tenderness.

Should I marinate chicken drumsticks before grilling?
Yes! Marinating helps tenderize the chicken while adding tons of flavor and keeping the meat juicy during grilling.

Can I make teriyaki chicken drumsticks in the oven?
Absolutely. Bake them at 400°F for about 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through and brushing with extra sauce as they cook.

How do I keep chicken drumsticks from sticking to the grill?
Preheat and lightly oil the grill grates before cooking. Turning the chicken too early can also cause sticking, so let the skin crisp up first before flipping.

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