Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

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

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 30

Additional Time: 1

Total Time: 1 45

Servings: 8

In a large mixing bowl, combine water, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, ginger, and garlic. Whisk together.
In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water. Mix well.
Pour the first mixture into a medium saucepan and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
When the sauce begins to boil, add the cornstarch mixture and whisk continuously.
When the teriyaki marinade begins to thicken (about 2 minutes), remove from heat. Allow to cool to room temperature.
In a dish or large freezer bag, coat the chicken in 3/4 of the teriyaki marinade and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Place the chicken drumsticks on the grill and baste with reserved teriyaki sauce.
Cook for 15 minutes, turn, and baste with sauce again.
Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 170°F when measured with a meat thermometer.

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.
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.