BBQ Chicken Recipe
Season chicken drumsticks with savory spices, grill over gentle heat, and finish with a tangy mustard BBQ glaze that turns glossy, tacky, and rich without scorching.
Equipment
- Outdoor grill
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
- Instant-read thermometer
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks skin on, or off
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt such as Lawry's, or adobo seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoons BBQ sauce homemade or store bought
- 3 teaspoons yellow mustard
Instructions
- Coat the drumsticks all over with the seasoning salt and garlic powder, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or as long as overnight. The seasoning should look evenly distributed, with no thick patches of salt collecting on the skin.
- Stir the BBQ sauce and yellow mustard in a small bowl, adding about 2 tablespoons water to loosen the mixture. The glaze should flow easily from a brush and leave a thin, even coating rather than dropping in heavy blobs.
- Heat an outdoor grill to medium heat before cooking the chicken. Wait until the grates are fully hot so the drumsticks release more cleanly after they begin to brown.
- Oil the grates, lower the heat, and grill the drumsticks with the lid closed for about 18 to 20 minutes, turning them often. The chicken should turn golden and smell savory, with steady sizzling instead of harsh flare-ups.
- Brush the drumsticks with the sauce mixture and continue grilling for about 2 minutes, turning several times. The glaze should bubble, become tacky, and darken to a deep mahogany without blackening.
Notes
Glaze timing: Apply the sweet BBQ sauce during the final 2 minutes over low or indirect heat, turning often so sugars caramelize without burning.
Doneness: Cook drumsticks to an internal temperature of 175°F to 180°F away from the bone for tender meat that pulls easily from the joint.
Reheating: Warm leftover chicken in a covered dish with a splash of water or broth until it reaches 165°F to keep the meat juicy and the glaze glossy.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.