Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks

Brine + homemade sauce + a grilling and oven combo method make these barbecue chicken drumsticks a family favorite. You might think the steps are weird, but when you start eating them, you won’t care. Bonus, any leftovers are delicious straight out of the fridge.

These drumsticks are always a hit, no matter how picky everyone can be. The brine keeps them juicy, and the homemade sauce is a family favorite. During our hot Virginia summers, this recipe is perfect because I don’t have to spend too much time outside by the grill. It’s a go-to for quick and delicious dinners.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

If you don’t have liquid smoke, you can skip it or add a bit of smoked paprika if you have it. The sauce will still taste great without it. And if you’re just short on time, you can use store-bought barbecue sauce.

If you want, you can use chicken thighs or breasts. Thighs (bone-in) will grill for 12-15 minutes and bake the same as the drumsticks. Chicken breasts (bone-in) will grill for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, and bake: 20 minutes, sauce, 15 minutes, sauce, 10-15 minutes. If you use boneless for either, cut the times in half.

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If you’d like to double or triple this recipe, you can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Chicken

• 3 ½ pounds chicken drumsticks, about 10
• 2 quarts water
• ¼ cup kosher salt
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• olive oil or other oil for greasing grates on the grill

Barbecue sauce

• ¾ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup chili sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or distilled vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
• ¼ teaspoon cumin
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon coriander
• ¼ teaspoon coarsely-ground pepper
• pinch salt

How to Make Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks

Even a quick 15-minute brine will help enhance the flavor and juiciness of the chicken. However, if you have more time, aim for the full hour, but don’t exceed two hours to avoid overly salty chicken.

Step One: Brine chicken

Stir together water, salt, and sugar in a large bowl, and add chicken or transfer brine to an extra-large 2.5-gallon Ziploc bag, add chicken, and seal. Place the chicken and brine in the fridge for one hour.

Step Two: Make Barbecue Sauce

While the chicken brines, whisk together the barbecue sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan and heat slowly on low heat for about 15 minutes.

Step Three: Grill Chicken

Drain water and pat the chicken dry. Preheat a gas grill to medium heat and the oven to 375℉. Pour a little bit of oil on folded paper towels and, using large tongs, use the folded paper towel to quickly grease the grates of the grill. Repeat if necessary. Place chicken on the grill and cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.

Step Four: Bake Chicken And Add Sauce

Transfer chicken to a lined baking sheet. Bake chicken for 15 minutes, remove from the oven, and brush barbecue sauce all over the chicken. Return chicken to the oven and cook for 15 minutes, then remove chicken from the oven again and brush barbecue sauce on both sides of the chicken. Finish cooking the chicken for an additional 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked to 165℉, as checked with a meat thermometer.

Step Five: Serve

Brush chicken with additional sauce and serve immediately.

Storage Instructions

The barbecue sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good stir before using it on the chicken.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

What to Serve with Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks

Serve with coleslaw, cornbread, cold pesto pasta salad, and corn on the cob for a large gathering.

For a quick weeknight family dinner, serve with deep-fried potato wedges and a Caesar salad.

More Barbecue Recipes You’ll Love

• If you like the idea of making your sauce, but want the convenience of grabbing it off the shelf when you need it, try this canning barbecue sauce recipe.
• Crockpot barbecue beans are simple, filling, and always a hit.
• These Crockpot barbecue chicken thighs are an easy, filling dinner.
• Serve this southwest chicken BBQ salad for lunch or an easy dinner. The dressing is my favorite part!

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