Description
These Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are packed with flavor and are incredibly easy to prepare. With a sweet and smoky sauce made from BBQ and apricot jam, they’re perfect for summer cookouts or a quick dinner at home. Enjoy succulent chicken legs that everyone will love!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- chili powder or cayenne pepper, optional and to taste for spiciness
- 4 pounds chicken legs, if using frozen, make sure you allow ample time to fully thaw
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup apricot jam, apple or grape jelly work well, orange marmalade is a less sweet option
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all of the seasonings and spices together to create the dry rub.
- Pat the chicken legs dry and rub the dry rub evenly all over the drumsticks. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 1-2 hours or overnight for best results.
- In a saucepan, combine BBQ sauce and jam, heat over medium-low until simmering. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes until thickened, then set aside.
- Preheat the grill with one side on high and the other on medium heat, lightly oil the grill grates.
- Place chicken on the medium heat side, close the lid, and grill for about 5 minutes.
- Flip the drumsticks, adjust their positions for even cooking, and grill for another 5 minutes.
- When nearly done, baste the chicken generously with the sauce, cover, and cook for 2 minutes. Flip, baste again, and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until chicken reaches 165F internal temperature.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving; garnish if desired.
Notes
Make sure to remove the chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling for even cooking.
Adjust the spice level by adding chili powder or cayenne as preferred.
You can use any type of jam or jelly you have on hand for the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 80mg