My Go-To Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

The easiest, dreamiest recipe for grilled chicken drumsticks that never fails to impress! Juicy, tender, and packed with smoky BBQ flavor—perfect for cookouts or weeknight dinners all grilling season long.

Craving juicy, tender chicken with smoky, crispy skin? This grilled chicken drumsticks recipe delivers perfection every time!

It requires very little preparation, a handful of basic ingredients you likely already have on hand, and is budget-friendly. 

Bone-in pieces of chicken take longer to cook than boneless chicken, so keep this in mind when timing your grilling.

Nevertheless, these finger lickin’ good crispy chicken legs are well worth the effort, as they disappear lightning quick at any grill out!

Let’s dive into the simple ingredients needed to make this succulent chicken legs recipe.

Chicken Drumstick Marinade Ingredients:

Avocado Oil: Every great marinade begins with a quality oil. I use avocado oil because it has a high smoke point, which is ideal for grilling. I don’t recommend olive oil for cooking at high temperatures because it burns easily.

Soy Sauce or Liquid Aminos: Bringing rich umami flavor, soy sauce is a magical ingredient in chicken marinades. For many people, the saltiness of the soy sauce is enough sodium for the marinade. You may prefer adding a little salt if you enjoy your food salty.

Rice Vinegar or Mirin: We need a tangy element to add spunk to the marinade, which is why I employ rice vinegar. I find it adds a subtle sweetness in addition to the acidity for balanced flavor. Mirin (or rice wine) works well too!

Pure Maple Syrup: A sweet element helps complete the flavor profile of this simple chicken marinade. Swap it for brown sugar if you’d like.

Fresh Garlic: Adds robust flavor to any marinade or sauce. Adjust the amount according to your personal taste. I find three cloves is just right. 

Paprika and Black Pepper: Ground paprika adds a natural smoky flavor and black pepper brings a mild kick. 

Other Variations:

• Chicken Thighs: Make The Best Grilled Chicken Thighs.
• Chicken Breasts: Prepare The Best Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe. 
• Swap the fresh garlic for 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
• Add 2 teaspoons of onion powder to the marinade for extra flavor.
• Mix in 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard or 2 teaspoons of ground mustard for more savory flavor.

How to Grill Chicken Drumsticks:

Marinate the Chicken:

Mix the marinade ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup until well combined.

If there is any excess moisture on your drums, pat it dry using paper towels.

Transfer the raw chicken drumsticks to a large zip lock bag. Pour in all of the chicken marinade, seal, and shake the bag around to coat all of the chicken pieces in the marinade.

Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, ideally several hours and up to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to grill, brush any food particles off of the grill grates using a grill brush. Spray the grill grates with cooking spray.

For a Gas Grill:

Preheat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Transfer the marinated chicken drumsticks to the preheated grill in a single layer.

Grill for 25-30 minutes, flipping the chicken every 4-5 minutes.

For a Charcoal Grill:

Heat the coals in a charcoal chimney 20 minutes prior to grilling. When the coals are ready, spread them over one side of the bottom of the grill. This provides an area of direct heat and an area of indirect heat.

Grill for 3 to 5 minutes per side, until deep grill marks appear. Move the drumsticks to a cooler part of the grill and continue grilling, flipping every few minutes, until cooked through.

This takes about 25 to 30 minutes total. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken leg to check for doneness. 

Final Internal Temperature For Chicken Drumsticks:

The safe internal temperature for drumsticks is 170 degrees F or higher, although I find 180 to 205 is the best final temperature range.

While chicken breasts are best at 165 degrees Fahrenheit, dark meat such as bone-in pieces and boneless chicken thighs are best when cooked to over 180 degrees Fahrenheit

Serving Tips:

1. If adding barbecue sauce, brush it on the last 10 minutes of grilling.
2. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet until all of them are ready to bring inside.

Serve these perfect chicken drumsticks with your favorite sides, and enjoy! 

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How Long to Grill Chicken Drumsticks:

Chicken drumsticks take between 25 and 30 minutes to grill over a medium-high heat (300 to 400 degrees F). This is the case whether you use a gas grill or a charcoal grill.

For the best results, avoid high heat and flare ups, as the outside will cook much quicker than the inside. This can result in burning on the outside with an undercooked inside.

Tips for the Best Chicken Drumsticks:

1. Cook over Medium Heat to Medium-High Heat: The goal is to allow the chicken to cook evenly so that it remains tender on the inside while crispy on the outside. 
2. Use a Meat Thermometer: Avoid second-guessing by spot checking the internal temperature for doneness.
3. Marinate!: If you have the time, marinade the drumsticks for several hours.
4. Time it Right: If you are grilling anything other than drumsticks that require less cooking time, I recommend starting the drumsticks first to ensure everything finishes around the same time.

And that’s it! An easy recipe for the best grilled chicken legs that will surely impress the whole family.

Looking for side dish suggestions to serve with drumsticks? I’ve got you covered.

What To Serve With Chicken Drumsticks:

• Greek Pasta Salad  
• German-Style Potato Salad  
• The Best Broccoli Salad  
• Black Bean Salad  
• Crunchy Kale Slaw  

Toss some bone-in pieces on the barbecue and enjoy!