I absolutely love grilled chicken, and this Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Seasoning and Sauce Recipe has quickly become one of my favorites. It s got that amazing smoky, caramelized exterior from the grill combined with juicy, tender meat inside. When you butterfly the drumsticks, they cook more evenly and soak up all that flavorful BBQ seasoning in just the right way.
This recipe works perfectly for a casual weekend cookout or even a quick midweek dinner when you want something satisfying yet fuss-free. You ll find that prepping the chicken this way is surprisingly simple and really elevates the flavor and texture. Once you try Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Seasoning and Sauce Recipe, it s going to be your go-to for any grilling occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Even Cooking: Butterflying the drumsticks ensures juicy meat and crispy skin every time without guesswork.
- Bold Flavors: The BBQ seasoning and sauce add smokiness with a hint of spice, making the chicken irresistible.
- Grill-Friendly: Designed specifically for direct grilling, this recipe maximizes smoky char and tenderness.
- Simple Prep: With just a few ingredients and easy steps, it s perfect even if you re new to grilling.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Seasoning and Sauce Recipe lies in its simple yet impactful ingredients. Using a well-balanced BBQ seasoning rub and a complementary sauce will bring out the best in these drumsticks.
- Chicken drumsticks: Choose drumsticks with skin on for the crispiest results and juicy meat.
- BBQ seasoning (Signature Sweet & Smoky Rub): I love this rub for its perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and a little heat.
- BBQ sauce (Spicy Buffalo BBQ Sauce): Adds just the right amount of tangy spice and caramelized goodness.
- Vegetable oil (optional): Helps loosen the skin and promote even grilling, but you can skip if you prefer.
Variations
I ve played around with this recipe adding different spices and sauces based on the season or what I have on hand, and honestly, it s so flexible. You can easily tailor it to your taste or dietary preferences without losing the essence of that grilled goodness.
- Spice it up: I sometimes swap out the BBQ seasoning with a Cajun spice blend for a bit more heat, and my family goes crazy for the kick.
- Sweeten it: For gatherings with kids, using a sweeter BBQ sauce variation makes it a family hit without overpowering the grill flavor.
- Herb twist: Adding a sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs like parsley or cilantro after grilling adds a fresh, vibrant touch I enjoy.
- Low-sodium: Use a low-sodium rub and sauce if you re watching salt intake; it still grills beautifully and tastes fantastic.
How to Make Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Seasoning and Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Butterfly Your Chicken Drumsticks for Even Cooking
Start by patting your chicken drumsticks dry – this helps the seasoning stick better and the skin to crisp up nicely. Then lay a drumstick on your cutting board with the meatiest side facing you. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut along one side of the bone, then the other, just deep enough to loosen the meat so you can fold it open like a book. This butterflying trick is a game changer because it lets the drumstick cook evenly and quicker on the grill, keeping it juicy without burning the skin.
Step 2: Season and Chill for Maximum Flavor
Once butterflied, season each drumstick generously all over with your BBQ seasoning. Then pop them on a wire rack uncovered in the fridge for at least 2 hours or even overnight if you have time. This dry brining step really lets the flavors penetrate the meat and also dries out the skin a bit for crispier grilling. When you re ready to cook, take the chicken out about 20 minutes beforehand to bring it to room temp. This ensures even cooking on the grill.
Step 3: Grill to Perfection with Patience
Preheat your grill to medium-high, aiming for about 400°F with direct heat. Place the drumsticks skin-side up on the grill grates and close the lid. Cook them for about 5-6 minutes without flipping – this helps create a beautiful crust. Then flip the drumsticks, and keep turning every few minutes while closing the lid between flips. This rotating method cooks the chicken through, about 20-25 minutes total depending on your grill. When the internal temp hits around 155-160°F, it s time for the fun part – saucing.
Step 4: Glaze and Caramelize
Brush on your BBQ sauce generously, then leave the lid off while you grill. The open heat blasts the sauce directly, creating that sticky, caramelized glaze we all love. Flip the drumsticks and glaze the other side as well, cooking until the internal temperature reaches 180-185°F. Don t rush this step; the final charred edges really bring out the sweet, smoky flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Pro Tips for Making Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Seasoning and Sauce Recipe
- Butterflying Technique: When cutting, don t slice through the bone. It s a gentle cut to loosen the meat only, trust me it makes flipping and grilling easier.
- Patience is Key: Let the chicken rest uncovered in the fridge to dry the skin; skip this and you ll miss out on crispy skin magic.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: I always measure internal temps to avoid overcooking or undercooking, which can be tricky with drumsticks.
- Sauce at the Right Time: Applying BBQ sauce too early can burn it; wait until the chicken is almost done before glazing for perfect caramelization.
How to Serve Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Seasoning and Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish the plated chicken with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or scallions for a pop of color and freshness. A wedge of lemon on the side adds a brightness that cuts through the smoky richness beautifully. If I m feeling fancy, a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce on top can t hurt either.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this grilled chicken are classic grilled corn on the cob, a crisp coleslaw for contrast, and maybe some roasted sweet potatoes or baked beans. These sides bring great variety in textures and flavors to complement the drumsticks without overwhelming them.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I love serving these drumsticks on a rustic wooden board with a small bowl of extra BBQ sauce and a handful of pickled veggies on the side. It s simple but looks impressive and encourages everyone to dig in family-style. Wrapping each leg with a thin strip of green onion is also a fun little twist I sometimes use for parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge within two hours of cooking. The chicken keeps well for up to 3 days, and because of the crispy skin, I find reheating carefully helps retain texture without drying it out.
Freezing
If I know I won t eat all the chicken within a few days, I freeze the grilled drumsticks after they ve cooled completely. Wrap each piece tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then seal in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze well for up to 2 months and defrost quickly overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
When reheating, I prefer the oven or a skillet rather than the microwave to keep the skin crispy. Setting the oven to 350°F and heating the chicken for 10-15 minutes does the trick. You ll still get that great texture almost as good as fresh off the grill.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken drumsticks for this recipe?
It s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken drumsticks for this recipe to ensure even cooking and safe internal temperature. If using frozen, thaw completely in the refrigerator before butterflying and seasoning.
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Can I cook these chicken drumsticks in the oven instead of on the grill?
Absolutely! While the grill adds a smoky char that s hard to beat, you can bake butterflied drumsticks at 400°F for about 35-40 minutes, finishing with broiling and BBQ sauce glaze for caramelization.
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Why do I need to butterfly the drumsticks for this recipe?
Butterflying helps the drumsticks cook more evenly by flattening the meat and exposing more surface area to the heat. It also reduces cooking time and helps the seasoning penetrate deeply for more flavor.
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How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 180-185°F for fully cooked, juicy drumsticks. Don t rely only on cooking times since grill heat can vary.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Seasoning and Sauce Recipe is one of those dishes I m always excited to share because it delivers incredible flavor with minimal fuss. Every time I grill these, the family flock around the table asking for more – and that s the best compliment, right? If you re looking for a recipe that s easy to prep, fun to make, and guaranteed to please a crowd, give this one a try. I promise, you ll love how juicy and flavorful it turns out every single time.
Print
Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Seasoning and Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 chicken drumsticks
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
This recipe for Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with a crispy exterior by butterflying the drumsticks for even cooking and grilling them with BBQ seasoning and sauce. Perfect for a backyard barbecue, these drumsticks are seasoned, rested, and grilled to perfection with caramelized BBQ sauce glaze for a smoky, tender finish.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6 chicken drumsticks
Seasoning
- BBQ Seasoning, such as Signature Sweet & Smoky Rub, to taste
- BBQ Sauce, such as Spicy Buffalo BBQ Sauce, for basting
Optional
- Vegetable oil, as needed for the grill or brushing (optional)
Instructions
- Butterfly the Drumsticks: Pat the chicken drumsticks dry. Place one drumstick on a cutting board with the meatiest side facing up. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut along one side of the bone without slicing through completely, then make another cut along the other side of the bone to loosen the meat. Fold open the meat and lay the drumstick face-down. Repeat this process for all drumsticks.
- Season and Rest: Generously season the butterflied drumsticks with BBQ seasoning. Place them uncovered on a wire rack in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate and the skin to dry slightly for better crisping.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat around 400°F, using direct cooking with a grill that has a lid. This temperature will ensure proper searing and cooking throughout.
- Bring to Room Temperature: Remove the drumsticks from the fridge about 20 minutes before grilling so they can come to room temperature, ensuring even cooking on the grill.
- Grill Skin-Side Up: Place the drumsticks skin-side up on the grill grates. Close the lid and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes to develop grill marks and heat the meat evenly.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Flip the drumsticks over and repeat grilling with the lid closed, flipping every few minutes to cook evenly on all sides. This process will take approximately 20-25 minutes, depending on your grill’s heat and size of the drumsticks.
- Baste with BBQ Sauce for Finish: When the internal temperature reaches about 155-160°F, start basting the chicken with your chosen BBQ sauce. Leave the grill lid open to allow the sauce to caramelize and char, flipping and basting repeatedly until the chicken reaches 180-185°F, ensuring a moist and flavorful finish.
Notes
- Chicken drumsticks contain more fat than white meat, which helps keep them moist and forgiving when cooked to higher temperatures.
- Don’t hesitate to cook drumsticks to an internal temperature of 180-185°F for crispy skin and tender meat that easily falls off the bone.
- Butterflying the drumsticks helps them cook evenly and faster.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after seasoning improves flavor absorption and skin texture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate cooking temperatures for food safety and quality.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken drumstick
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
