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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
Our BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are Finger-Licking GoodThis 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
Ingredients
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 12 large chicken drumsticks, , pat dry
Instructions
- BBQ 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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*I originally shared this recipe May 2014. Updated June 2019 and June 2024.
looks good. easy to make.
thanks.
This is almost exactly what I do with my grilled chicken (and similar to how I do grilled ribs). Cooking the meats first, then browning and caramelizing on the grill. The added bonus is the meat is never dried out.
Delicious !!! I made this BBQ for my daughter’s birthday dinner but used bone in chicken breasts instead of drumsticks. The whole family loved their BBQ chicken. Thank you for a new favorite recipe.
I’ve scanned thru your recipes & am very impressed. So much so that I have decided to subscribe. Blessings
I’m wanting to make this for a family party cooking up. How could I prep them earlier on the day? Could I cook them on the sauce and then refrigerate? Thanks!
I’d suggest preparing the sauce a day ahead and then cooking them just before eating (I just don’t love reheated chicken). But that would be fine too.
My kids devoured it. So simple and delicious. Thank you!
Great recipe I did mine under the broiler, no BBQ, keep an eye they cook really fast and they were delicious
These are so good! Everyone loved them. Will be making this recipe again very soon.
Loved the Barbecued drumsticks!!
TY!!!!!!
So delicious!! Such a quick easy recipe, perfect for a busy weeknight. Thank you for sharing 🙂