I absolutely love how this Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce Recipe turns out every time I make it. The wings open up flat, soaking in all those smoky, spicy flavors, making them cook more evenly and quicker on the grill. It s a total game changer whenever I want juicy drumsticks with that perfect caramelized BBQ glaze.
Whether it s a weekend get-together or a casual dinner with family, this recipe really shines. You ll find that butterflying the drumsticks not only improves their cooking time but also gives you more surface area to slather on your favorite BBQ sauce, creating that crave-worthy sticky bark we all love. Trust me, once you try this method, you ll want to grill drumsticks this way all summer long!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Juicy and Tender: Butterflying ensures even cooking without drying out the drumsticks.
- Flavor-Packed: This method lets you season and glaze more surface area for maximum BBQ flavor.
- Perfect for Grilling: Cook times are shorter and more predictable, great for summer cookouts.
- Impressive Presentation: The flattened drumsticks look beautiful and unique when served.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple ingredients come together to create a smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor profile that works perfectly with grilled chicken. I always recommend looking for a good quality BBQ rub and sauce to make it easy on yourself and get the best taste.
- Chicken drumsticks: Fresh and evenly sized drumsticks ensure consistent cooking.
- BBQ seasoning (Signature Sweet & Smoky Rub): A blend of sweet, smoky, and spicy notes to elevate your chicken flavor.
- BBQ sauce (Spicy Buffalo BBQ Sauce): Gives the final glaze a tangy kick and sticky texture that’s irresistible.
- Vegetable oil (optional): Helps prevent sticking and promotes even searing on the grill.
Variations
I love how versatile this Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce Recipe is-you can easily tweak it to match your mood or dietary needs. Feel free to experiment with different rubs or sauces to create a signature flavor you ll keep coming back to.
- Spicy Variation: I once swapped out the Sweet & Smoky Rub for a cayenne-heavy rub, and my family went crazy for the heat level paired with the buffalo BBQ sauce glaze.
- Herb-Infused: Add fresh rosemary or thyme to the seasoning, which gives a fragrant twist I especially like during springtime grilling.
- Gluten-Free Option: Make sure your BBQ sauce and rub are gluten-free so you can safely enjoy this recipe without compromising flavor.
- Oven-Baked: If you don’t have a grill, you can butterfly the drumsticks and bake them at 425°F for about 25-30 minutes, finishing with broiling to get that caramelized glaze.
How to Make Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Butterfly the Drumsticks
Start by patting your chicken drumsticks dry-this helps the seasoning stick better and promotes crispiness. Place one drumstick on your cutting board with the meatiest side facing up. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice along one side of the bone without cutting all the way through. Then make a second cut along the other side of the bone. When you re done, you can fold the meat open and lay the drumstick flat, skin side down. It may feel a bit tricky the first few times, but once you get the hang of it, it makes a world of difference!
Step 2: Season and Chill
Generously season your butterflied drumsticks with your favorite BBQ rub. I usually use a Signature Sweet & Smoky Rub to get a beautiful balance of sweetness and smokiness. After seasoning, place them uncovered on a wire rack in the fridge for at least 2 hours-overnight is even better if you have the time. This resting period helps the flavors deepen and the skin dry out, which leads to crispy, flavorful chicken.
Step 3: Preheat and Prep the Grill
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F, and make sure it has a lid-this is key for controlling heat and smoking the chicken correctly. Just before grilling, bring the drumsticks out of the fridge to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes. This step helps the chicken cook evenly and keeps it juicy.
Step 4: Grill with Patience and Flip Often
Place the drumsticks skin side up on your grill grates and close the lid. Let them cook for about 5-6 minutes before flipping. Keep flipping every few minutes, closing the lid each time to maintain the heat. After 20-25 minutes, your chicken should reach about 155-160°F internally. It s important not to rush flipping; this avoids burning and helps cook them evenly.
Step 5: Apply the BBQ Sauce and Finish Cooking
Once your chicken is almost done, baste each drumstick with your BBQ sauce and leave the grill lid open. This blasts the heat directly on the sauce, caramelizing it and giving those gorgeous charred edges. Flip and baste again until the internal temperature hits 180-185°F. The skin should be crisp and sticky with sauce-exactly what you want!
Pro Tips for Making Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Butterflying Technique: Use a very sharp knife and take your time to avoid cutting through the bone, this keeps the drumstick intact while flattening it nicely.
- Rest Your Chicken: Don t skip chilling uncovered to let the skin dry for a more satisfying crispiness.
- Lid Control: Keep the relay of opening and closing the grill lid consistent to maintain perfect grilling heat and smoky flavor.
- Thermometer Use: Check internal temps often-those juicy results come from cooking chicken perfectly, not over or under.
How to Serve Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle my grilled drumsticks with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro; it adds a fresh pop of color and brightness against the smoky BBQ glaze. A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime over the top really wakes up the flavors, too.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with these chicken drumsticks include grilled corn on the cob, a tangy coleslaw, and baked sweet potato fries. They complement the smoky flavors perfectly and keep the meal feeling comfortable and hearty. I ve also paired it with a fresh garden salad drizzled with a light vinaigrette for a lighter touch.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners or parties, I like to serve the drumsticks on a large wooden platter with little dipping bowls of extra BBQ sauce, some pickled veggies, and lemon wedges. It s a fun, casual look that invites guests to dig in family-style-and trust me, they always do!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After cooling, I store leftover grilled drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping them in a single layer helps preserve the crispy texture as much as possible. I usually warm them up the next day for a quick lunch or dinner with minimal fuss.
Freezing
I’ve had good luck freezing fully cooked and cooled butterflied drumsticks. Wrap each piece tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to 3 months. When thawed, the texture is still surprisingly good after reheating.
Reheating
I like to reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes, uncovered to maintain crispiness. If you re in a hurry, the air fryer is a fantastic tool to revive the skin s crunch without drying out the meat.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen drumsticks for this Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen drumsticks, but make sure they are fully thawed before butterflying and grilling. Thawing ensures even cooking and safety, plus helps your seasoning and sauce penetrate better.
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What s the best way to butterfly chicken drumsticks without tearing the meat?
Using a very sharp knife and steady hands is key. Take your time and make shallow cuts along both sides of the bone without slicing through. If you re careful, the meat will open nicely without tearing, giving you the perfect flat shape for grilling.
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Can I skip the chilling step before grilling?
While you can grill immediately after seasoning, chilling uncovered helps the skin dry out, leading to crispier results and more intense flavor. If you re short on time, even 30 minutes in the fridge makes a difference.
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How do I know when the grilled butterflied drumsticks are done?
The best way is to use a meat thermometer: cook until the internal temperature reaches around 180-185°F for juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat. They might feel a bit more done than white meat, but trust me, it s perfect.
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Can I use different BBQ sauces with this recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe works great with any BBQ sauce you love-whether sweet, spicy, tangy, or smoky. Feel free to swap it out based on your mood or occasion to keep things fresh and tasty.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it transformed the way I grill drumsticks forever. The juicy, flavorful meat combined with that sticky, caramelized BBQ sauce glaze just brings everyone together around the grill. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do-it s perfect for sharing with friends, family, or whenever you re craving that unbeatable backyard BBQ taste.
Print
Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 drumsticks
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
This recipe features grilled butterflied chicken drumsticks seasoned with a smoky BBQ rub and basted with a spicy buffalo BBQ sauce. The drumsticks are carefully butterflied for even cooking and grilled to juicy perfection with a charred, caramelized finish. Perfect for a flavorful outdoor meal, these drumsticks balance crispy skin with tender, fall-off-the-bone meat.
Ingredients
Chicken Drumsticks
- 6 chicken drumsticks
Seasoning & Sauce
- BBQ seasoning, such as Signature Sweet & Smoky Rub, to taste
- BBQ sauce, such as Spicy Buffalo BBQ Sauce, for basting
Optional
- Vegetable oil, for the grill or drumsticks (optional)
Instructions
- Butterfly the Drumsticks: Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Place a 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 all the way through. Make a second cut on the other side of the bone to free the meat. Fold the drumstick open and lay it face-down. Repeat for all drumsticks to ensure even cooking.
- Season and Chill: Generously season the butterflied drumsticks with your chosen BBQ rub. Arrange them uncovered on a wire rack in the fridge. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate and the skin to dry slightly.
- Preheat the Grill: About 20 minutes before cooking, remove the drumsticks from the fridge to bring to room temperature. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, targeting approximately 400°F. Use a grill with a lid for direct cooking to help control heat and smoke.
- Grill the Drumsticks: Place the drumsticks skin-side up on the grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Flip the drumsticks and continue cooking in intervals, flipping and closing the lid every few minutes. This process helps cook the chicken evenly and should take about 20 to 25 minutes total, depending on your grill.
- Baste and Caramelize: When the internal temperature reaches 155-160°F, brush the drumsticks generously with your BBQ sauce. Leave the grill lid open to allow the heat to create a caramelized and slightly charred glaze on the chicken. Flip the drumsticks, baste again, and continue cooking until they reach an internal temperature of 180-185°F for optimal juiciness and crisp skin.
Notes
- Chicken drumsticks contain more fat than white meat, making them more forgiving at higher cooking temperatures. Cooking to 180-185°F ensures crispy, moist meat that falls off the bone.
- Bringing drumsticks to room temperature before grilling promotes even cooking.
- Using a grill with a lid helps control heat and smoke, improving flavor and texture.
- Butterflying the drumsticks helps them cook evenly and faster by allowing heat to circulate around the meat and bone.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken drumstick
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
