How to Grill Chicken Drumsticks

Last, they’re brushed with barbecue, so they get that beautiful, sticky, glazed deliciousness. It truly doesn’t get better than this! Now, keep in mind there are some essential tips & tricks when you learn how to cook chicken drumsticks on the grill. You’ll go through it all, but if you’d rather cook your chicken in the oven or air fryer.

Ingredient’s list

• Chicken Drumsticks
• Olive Oil
• BBQ Sauce. Make your homemade barbecue sauce or any store-bought Whole30-compliant barbecue sauce. Opt for a sugar-free BBQ sauce to keep this Keto/Low Carb recipe.
• The BBQ spice blend includes smoked paprika, onion powder, chilli powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (optional).

Part 2. Prepare the Chicken

Mix the smouldered paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chilli powder, salt, and pepper with a spoon in a small dish. Depending on how spicy you want your cuisine, you can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mix.

When you open a package of chicken, it will most likely be moist (or very moist). Pat each piece of chicken dry on all sides with a couple of paper towels or napkins.

Then, sprinkle the oil and spice blend over the Thermoworks Thermapen chicken. Mix well until the chicken is equally covered on both sides. You could use your hands, but it would be a bit messy.

You may also combine the chicken, oil, and seasonings in a zip-top bag and stir thoroughly. This will keep your hands clean when coating the chicken.

You can prepare this up to 18 hours in advance! Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Part 3. How to Cook Chicken on a Gas Grill?

• Cooking with Meat Thermometer: With an instant-read meat thermometer, preheat the grill to medium-high (about 400 degrees Fahrenheit). Cook for about 5 minutes per side, until the skin is browned and crispy, before adding the chicken drumsticks. Close the grill and lessen the heat to around 300°F (149°C) using a BBQ thermometer. Cook for approximately 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

• Cooking on a Charcoal Grill: Prepare the charcoal on one side of the grill to create two zones.  Cook the chicken directly over the heat source at first, then move the pieces away from the heat to finish cooking. Finally, brush each chicken piece with sauce. Check the chicken’s internal temperature to ensure it is fully cooked, then transfer it to a plate or platter and serve! Remember! According to the USDA, the chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured with an instant-read thermometer. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, away from the bone, to check the internal temperature. Variations. Is the weather refusing to cooperate? Are you out of propane? Or would you rather stay in and cook? With these simple method tweaks, I’ve got you covered!

• Adapting an Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil, then place the chicken drumsticks inside, leaving some space between them. You may need to prepare it in two or three batches, depending on the size of your basket. Cook for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through. The USDA uses a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is at least 165°F (74°C). Preheat the stove to 400°F (204°C) using a BBQ thermometer.  Put the chicken on a baking sheet lined with paper or foil. Cook for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through. The USDA uses a grill thermometer to ensure the interior temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Part 4. Grilling Advice

1. Ensure your grill is clean and well-oiled.

2. Avoid forcing the chicken to turn too soon. Reading a Chicken’s internal temperature will help you here. When it’s time to turn the piece, it should release from the grill easily.

3. Don’t use your grilling equipment to press down on the chicken. It won’t speed up cooking, but it will remove some moisture. It’s time to fire up the grill with your BBQ thermometer present and get some food on the table!

Part 5. BBQ Chicken Drumsticks on the Grill

This recipe for Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks is simple, full of BBQ flavour, and incredibly juicy with perfect caramelisation.

Make them for your subsequent backyard barbecue or picnic on a hectic weekday.

Course: Main Course, Dinner

Cuisine: American

Cook mode: Keep your display from going dark.

Servings: Four servings

Duration: Forty-five minutes

Equipment: inside or outside grill

Drumsticks of chicken

• 2-pound drumsticks of chicken (legs)
• A half-cup of barbecue sauce. Select a barbecue sauce that complies with your dietary requirements
• Two tablespoons of olive oil

Blend of BBQ Spices

• a quarter teaspoon of ground cayenne
• a half teaspoon of salt
• a half teaspoon of pepper
• a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder
• smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon
• a quarter teaspoon of onion powder
• Optional: A quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Blend of BBQ Spices

• a quarter teaspoon of ground cayenne
• a half teaspoon of salt
• a half teaspoon of pepper
• a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder
• smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon
• a quarter teaspoon of onion powder
• Optional: A quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Instructions

• To make the BBQ seasoning spice blend, combine the salts, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic salt, onion powder, chilli powder, and chilli powder (if using) in a small mixing bowl. Using a spoon, mix everything.
• To properly dry each chicken drumstick, pat it with a couple of paper towels. Season the chicken with the spice combination after drizzling it with oil. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and thoroughly coat each piece of chicken.
• Preheat your gas grill to a moderate flame (about 400°F, or 204°C) — using an electronic meat thermometer, cook the chicken drumsticks on a clean, well-oiled grill. After a few minutes, turn each piece until the skin is golden and crispy on all sides. Close the BBQ and reduce the cooked chicken temperature to a moderate-low (approximately 300°F, or 149°C). Cook for about twenty-five minutes, turning the chicken once halfway through.

• Grill with charcoal: By placing most of the charcoal on one side of the grill, you can create two heat zones (medium-high and medium-low). Place the chicken pieces directly over the heat source, with an instant-read thermometer present, and turn them to brown the skin every few minutes. Move the chicken away from the heated area to the indirect (medium-low) heat zone once the skin is browned and crispy. Cover and simmer for another 25 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through.
• Finally, brush each piece of chicken with barbecue sauce. Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a digital food thermometer to verify it has reached 165°F (74°C), then serve right away!

Part 6. Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to prepare the chicken ahead of time?

Absolutely! The chicken can be prepared the night before and refrigerated, covered, until cooking.

What should you serve alongside BBQ drumsticks?

Broccoli ranch slaw, pickled cabbage purple cabbage slaw, an easy potato salad, and onions-don’t forget about the pickles!

Conclusion

You will make some great chicken drumsticks with a BBQ thermometer if you follow these methods correctly. Feel free to play around with these concepts. Maybe you could improve the recipe.