I make BBQ grilled chicken drumsticks all summer long because they're affordable, flavorful, and easy to cook on a gas grill. This recipe uses pantry spices for a quick homemade BBQ rub, plus a layer of BBQ sauce for that smoky-sweet flavor.
These BBQ chicken drumsticks are made with everyday spices and your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce. The dry rub comes together quickly, and once the BBQ sauce hits the grill, it caramelizes and becomes slightly charred around the edges.
These drumsticks pair well with almost anything: baked beans, grilled vegetables, pesto pasta salad, or creamy American-style coleslaw.
This recipe was originally published in 2022, but I've updated it over the years as I've learned more about grilling chicken. I now skip the brown sugar in the spice rub and wait until the last few minutes of cooking to add the BBQ sauce. The result is less burning while still keeping that classic sticky texture and BBQ flavor.
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Recipe Tips at a Glance
- Cut: Bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
- Equipment: Outdoor propane gas grill
- Grill temp: Medium-high, about 400°F
- Cook time: 25-30 minutes, with a 5-10 minute rest
- Sauce timing: Last 5 minutes of cook time only
- Internal temp: 165°-175°F
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken drumsticks - Use bone-in, skin-on drumsticks for the best flavor and texture on the grill. The skin helps protect the meat from drying out while also letting it get nicely charred and crispy in spots.
- Homemade BBQ spice rub - This simple spice blend adds smoky, savory flavor underneath the BBQ sauce, so the chicken tastes well-seasoned after grilling. BBQ sauce alone won't provide enough flavor. Smoked paprika works especially well here.
- Barbecue sauce - A thicker, sweeter BBQ sauce caramelizes best on the grill, and helps create those sticky, charred edges. Rib Rack and Sweet Baby Ray's are my favorites, but use whatever sauce your family already loves.
*See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients with exact measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions with Photos
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F. I like to clean and lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine the dry spice rub ingredients. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, then toss with the seasoning blend until the drumsticks are evenly coated.
- Place the drumsticks directly on the grill grates. Grill for about 20-25 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes or so to help them cook evenly and prevent burning.
- During the last 5 minutes of cooking, lightly brush both sides of the drumsticks with BBQ sauce. Adding the sauce at the end allows it to caramelize onto the chicken and slightly char, without fully burning.
- The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the drumsticks from the grill and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Helpful Tips for Grilling BBQ Drumsticks
- Add the BBQ sauce at the end: BBQ sauce contains sugar, which can burn quickly over direct heat. Brushing it on during the last 5 minutes gives the drumsticks that sticky, caramelized finish without scorching the sauce.
- Flip the drumsticks often: I like to turn the drumsticks about every 5 minutes, so they cook evenly on all sides.
- Chicken drumsticks take longer than grilled chicken thighs: This initially came as a surprise to me because drumsticks are relatively small. Due to the bone shape and thicker connective tissue, drumsticks usually need more time on the grill to cook through.
- Cook over indirect heat if they start to burn: If your drumsticks are charring too quickly, turn off one of your gas burners and cook them over that section, while keeping the rest of the burners on high to maintain the grill temperature.
- Cook to 175°F: Even though chicken is safe to eat at 165°F, dark meat becomes much more tender closer to 175°F.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These grilled BBQ chicken drumsticks pair well with just about any summer side dish. I especially love serving them with baked beans, pasta salad, grilled vegetables, potato wedges, or fresh side salads.
Here's a few of my favorites:
Best Way to Store Leftovers
Leftover grilled drumsticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I prefer to remove the meat from the bone before storing because it is much easier to do while the chicken is still warm.
Leftover BBQ chicken is great for salads, wraps, sandwiches, BBQ chicken flatbreads, or quick lunches throughout the week.
More Grilling Recipes
If you tried this BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumstick Recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 10 chicken drumsticks about 3.5 pounds total
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to 400°F using medium-high heat. Once preheated, clean and lightly oil your grill grates to prevent sticking.
- In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, smoked paprika, mustard powder, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until lightly coated.
- Sprinkle the BBQ seasoning blend over the drumsticks and toss until evenly coated. I like to use my hands so that I can really press the seasoning onto the skin.
- Grill the drumsticks for 20-25 minutes, flipping every 5-7 minutes to ensure they cook evenly on all sides. Continue cooking the drumsticks until they reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- During the last 5 minutes of cooking, lightly brush both sides of the drumsticks with BBQ sauce. Continue cooking until the sauce is caramelized and sticky.
- Remove the drumsticks from the grill and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- If your drumsticks are charring too quickly, turn off one of your gas burners and cook them over that section, while keeping the rest of the burners on high to maintain the grill temperature.
- Even though chicken is safe to eat at 165°F, dark meat becomes much more tender closer to 175°F.
- A thicker, sweeter BBQ sauce caramelizes best on the grill, and helps create those sticky, charred edges. Rib Rack and Sweet Baby Ray's are my favorites, but use whatever sauce your family already loves.
- The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.
Katie says