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Crispy Grilled Honey BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

crispy grilled honey bbq chicken drumsticks - featured image
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A quick and easy recipe for crispy, juicy chicken drumsticks glazed with a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce, perfect for crowds and last-minute gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds chicken drumsticks, skin-on
  • 1/3 cup honey (80 ml)
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (120 ml), smoky and medium-spicy
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (2 g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (2 g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (1 g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (6 g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1 g), freshly ground
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (15 ml)
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper to make the dry rub.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the drumsticks, then sprinkle the dry rub evenly. Toss to coat well and let sit for 10 minutes.
  4. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C). If using charcoal, wait until coals are covered with white ash.
  5. Place drumsticks skin side down on the grill. Cook for about 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and avoid burning. Keep the grill covered as much as possible.
  6. While grilling, mix honey, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl to make the glaze.
  7. In the last 10 minutes of grilling, brush the honey BBQ glaze generously on each drumstick. Turn and glaze every 2-3 minutes to caramelize without burning.
  8. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Juices should run clear.
  9. Remove drumsticks from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.

Notes

Brush the honey BBQ glaze on during the last 10 minutes of grilling to prevent burning. Use a two-zone grill setup if using charcoal to manage flare-ups. Let the chicken rest after grilling to keep it juicy. For oven baking, cook at 425°F (220°C) for 35-40 minutes and broil after glazing to caramelize.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, BBQ chicken, honey BBQ, chicken drumsticks, crispy chicken, summer grilling, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/crispy-grilled-honey-bbq-chicken-drumsticks-easy-recipe-for-crowds/