Classic, crispy, and tender chicken drumsticks for every occasion!
The OG of stick meat is making a comeback. BBQ chicken drumsticks! They are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. They are finger-lickin’ fun to eat and enjoy with friends. Grab BBQ chicken legs and have them with a glass of chilled beer.
The fried chicken drumsticks have an addictive taste. Plus, they are easy to make and packed with spicy flavors. You can either make crispy baked chicken legs for yourself or your next backyard BBQ.
Don’t worry, my recipe requires few ingredients and gets prepared quickly. So, no more exhausting yourself in the kitchen to prepare delicious snacks. You can make fried chicken legs in less than an hour.
Ready to prepare grilled chicken drumsticks? Keep reading to get the recipe.
Why You Will Love Chicken Drumsticks
- Less Preparation Time: When you cook chicken drumsticks my way, the preparation time is quite less. Rub in some spices and set them for the grill. Making grilled chicken drumsticks now became so easy, right?
- Super Simple to Make: Grilled chicken drumsticks require less amount of work because you only need to flip the chicken pieces every five minutes or so.
- Great for Meal Prep: Preparing chicken drumsticks in advance is now possible. You can prepare the drumsticks up to 24 hours in advance and, later, grill them. The grilled chicken drumsticks can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
How to Make Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
To make grilled chicken legs, you need to pat the drumsticks before coating the spices. It makes the pieces have super crispy skin and tender fall-apart meat.
Evenly brush oil on the top of chicken drumsticks for an optimal flavor. Mix spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ground mustard seeds, and more in a bowl. Apply a thick coat of spices on the chicken drumsticks and let them rest for a while.
Gas Grill:
For a gas grill, preheat the grill to 400°F to 450°F. Then apply oil on the grill so the chicken does not stick. Carefully place the spice-coated chicken drumsticks on the oiled grill and cook for five minutes. Flip the pieces every five minutes so they don’t get burned.
Place the grilled chicken drummies on a plate and let it rest for a while. Serve it with your favorite sides or drinks, and enjoy it with friends.
Charcoal Grill:
For the charcoal grill, create two zones on one side of the grill only. Place the chicken directly on the top of the heat source so the drumsticks get nice and brown.
Next, move the chicken drumstick pieces from the heat source to finish cooking. At last, brush the crispy chicken legs with sauce. Transfer them to a plate for serving.
Healthy Chicken Drumstick Recipes Variations
Is the weather not allowing you to make grilled chicken? Or are you simply looking for variations? In either case, I have some more cooking methods for you:
Air Fryer Adaption:
For cooking drumsticks in an air fryer, preheat it to 400°F. Gently spray oil the air fryer basket and then place the chicken drumsticks inside the basket. Make sure you keep a little space between the pieces so they are cooked properly.
The smaller the air fryer basket, the more batches you may need to cook. Chicken drumsticks need to be in the air fryer for about 18-22 minutes, turning once halfway through.
Oven Adaption:
You can also bake chicken drumsticks by preheating the oven to 400 F. Take a baking tray and put a baking sheet on it. Then place chicken drumsticks and cook for about 45 minutes.
What To Serve With Grilled Chicken Drumsticks?
Grilled drumsticks can be served with pasta salads, tomato basil salad, potato salad, roasted potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts, and rice.
How To Avoid Drying Chicken Drumsticks While Grilling?
To grill the roasted chicken without drying, place them directly over medium temperature. It will make the outside chicken layer crispy and the inside meat soft.
Are Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Healthy?
Yes, chicken drumsticks are healthy. They are, in fact, a powerhouse of protein. Chicken drumsticks have the lowest amount of fat. When you grill them, even more fat is lost during the process, making them healthy for your consumption.
How To Store Grilled Chicken Drumsticks?
You can store leftover chicken drumsticks in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat the chicken, place them evenly on a baking tray and put them in the oven for up to 15 minutes. Cold chicken drumsticks also taste amazing.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Serving: 5 people
Grill the drumsticks for about 35 minutes total time. You need to turn them every 5 minutes or so.
Turning them frequently like this will assure they cook evenly.
The magic happens with the internal temperature. At about 35 minutes, the temperature will get to 185 degrees.
That is the perfect temperature if you want your drumsticks to fall off the bone, be juicy and so tender!
Equipment
- Gas grill
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 10 Chicken drumsticks
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to about 400 degrees.
- While your grill preheats, prepare your drummies. Pat chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels to get the crispiest skin possible.
- Mix all the spices in a bowl, like garlic powder, salt, pepper, mustard, paprika, and onion powder.
- Evenly apply oil on both sides of the drumsticks.
- Apply a coat of mixed spices on the chicken drumsticks.
- Grill the drumsticks for about 35 minutes in total time. Turn them every 5 minutes, so they cook evenly.
You might also like:
- Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Crunchy Chicken Tostadas
Remember, for more delicious recipes, visit Family Cuisine. Happy cooking!
