BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
The BEST BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe is cooked in a simple homemade BBQ sauce and then grilled for that crispy skin we love. This is an easy and affordable recipe that’s always a crowd pleaser.
Bring on all the grilling recipes like Steak Kabobs, Cedar Plank Salmon, Fish Tacos, and Hawaiian Bowls.
Our BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are Finger-Licking Good
This easy BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe is my Mom’s recipe that she made regularly for us growing up. It’s one of the oldest recipes I shared on my blog.
Why you’ll love this recipe: it’s super flavorful since the chicken is first cooked bbq sauce, it pairs with any side dish, and is one of the cheapest meals (a dozen chicken legs only costs about $8). We love serving chicken legs at a BBQ or summer potluck and they get gobbled up so fast.
How to make BBQ Chicken Drumsticks:
Make BBQ Sauce: Add tomato sauce, mustard, sugar, vinegar and soy sauce to a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Add Drumsticks to the sauce, cover pot and cook for about 20-30 minutes, or just until cooked through.
Grill and Serve: Heat a gas grill over HIGH heat. Cook the drumsticks for a minute or so on each side, rotating them, allowing the sauce to caramelize and the skin to crisp and char.
Serve Chicken Drumsticks with:
Coleslaw
Buttermilk cornbread or Flakey Biscuits
Baked Potato Salad
Pesto Tortellini
Grilled Corn Salad
Macaroni Salad
Baked Beans
Whipped Feta with Roasted Vegetables
Wedge Salad
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BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
The best BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are cooked in BBQ sauce and grilled for a caramelized, crispy skin. They're easy, affordable and always a crowd pleaser.
Course Main Course, Side DishCuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes minutesCook Time 40 minutes minutesTotal Time 45 minutes minutes
Servings 12
Calories 208kcal
Author Lauren Allen
Cost 10
Ingredients15 ounces tomato sauce1/2 cup granulated sugar1/2 cup light brown sugar1 cup low-sodium soy sauce2 Tablespoons white vinegar1 teaspoon mustard12 large chicken drumsticks , pat dryUS Customary – Metric
InstructionsBBQ Sauce: tomato sauce, sugars, soy sauce, vinegar and mustard to a large pot over medium-high heat. Stir well to combine. Bring mixture to a gentle boil.Add chicken drumsticks. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 20-30 minutes or until chicken is just cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and ladle some of the sauce into a cup.Grill: Clean grill and grease the grill grates well with oil. Heat to high heat. Once hot, add chicken drumsticks. (The chicken is cooked at this point, you're just wanting to char the skin). Lather some of the extra BBQ Sauce on the chicken as you grill it, and rotate the chicken drumsticks as each side becomes lightly charred. If your grill is hot enough, this should only take a few minutes!Serve with your favorite BBQ side dishes.
Video
NutritionCalories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 980mg | Potassium: 337mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1.3mg
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*I originally shared this recipe May 2014. Updated June 2019 and June 2024.
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