Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Learn how to make grilled chicken drumsticks in your own backyard that even the pickiest eaters will love. This simple dinner idea is an affordable way to get the whole family together.  

When it comes to chicken, the drumstick has to be one of my favorite pieces to eat. They are super moist, have a delicious layer of skin, and you don’t even need a fork! I mean what is better than that?  

A love for chicken drumsticks is something everyone has in common and once you master how to cook them perfectly, you will be making them all the time. For me, holding a drumstick has a sense of nostalgia that few other things can replicate. Maybe it’s the shape, the size, or just being fun to eat.

Next time you are having a cookout or just looking for a delicious family dinner, look no further than these grilled chicken drumsticks. 

What is a Chicken Drumstick?

You may have heard of them referred to as chicken ‘legs’, but this is only partially correct. The leg is made up of two different parts: the thigh and the drumstick.   

The drumstick is the lower portion of the leg, the part between the knee and foot. Think of it as the calf muscle of the chicken. Unlike other animals that are all white or dark meat, chickens have a mixture of both. That is one reason chickens are so versatile in the culinary world. 

White Meat vs Dark Meat

The color of the meat is determined by the amount of myoglobin in the muscles.  Now if you aren’t a scientist, like me, here is a quick definition of what that is. Myoglobin is a pigmented protein that stores oxygen in muscle cells which is used for activity like walking, running, or flying.

The muscles that are used regularly for activity will have a higher amount of myoglobin than muscles that are rarely used. Therefore, since they don’t fly very often and are walking constantly, chickens legs are considered dark meat. You may not notice the difference in color when the meat is raw.  However, once you cook it you will notice the darker color that is indicative of dark meat. 

What I Love About Dark Meat

• More flavorful than white meat.
• Extremely tender and juicy.
• Packed with nutrients white meat doesn’t have.

How Do You Cook A Chicken Drumstick?

Preparing a drumstick is as simple as any other cut of chicken.  Here is how you do it:

• Heat your grill to 400°F.
• Marinate or season the drumstick like you would any other piece of chicken. My favorite ways are our BBQ Rub or All-Purpose Marinade.
• Next, pour the charcoal on both sides of your grill leaving the middle open.  Place your drumsticks in the middle of the grill so they aren’t over direct heat.  
• Cook using indirect heat for 18-20 minutes, flip and let cook for an additional 18-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

It’s that simple. The cooking time can vary depending on how big your drumsticks are so just make sure to check the internal temperature before eating.  

How Do You Know Chicken Drumsticks Are Done?

Cooking dark meat is the same as white meat but it can be a little harder to tell when it is done. The easiest way to ensure that your drumstick is done is using an instant read thermometer and ensuring the internal temperature is at least 165°F. Just make sure you aren’t touching the bone so you get an accurate reading. 

Another way to check if your drumsticks are done is by sticking a knife into the drumstick all the way to the bone. If the juices run clear, it is done. When cooking chicken on the bone, it can have a pinkish hue to it even when fully cooked. Also, cooking it with indirect heat and allowing it to absorb some smoke on the grill can cause the meat to be slightly pink.  

Color doesn’t always determine doneness in chicken so just use your best judgement.  If in doubt, throw it back on the grill until you are satisfied it’s fully cooked. 

How To Prevent Chicken Drumsticks From Drying Out

One of the great things about dark meat chicken is that it’s juicier than white meat.  However, that doesn’t mean that it can’t dry out when you cook it.  Here are some easy ways to keep it from drying out: 

• Salt – this helps add flavor but also locks in moisture.
• Marinade – allowing your drumsticks to soak in a marinade will help them soak up additional moisture.
• Cook Over Indirect Heat – cooking over indirect heat will allow them to cook slower so they don’t become dry.
• Don’t Over Cook – no matter what cooking method you use, allowing the drumsticks to over cook will dry them out.  Make sure to only cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F or the juices run clear.

Tips

Keep your drumsticks from burning by cooking your drumsticks over indirect heat. This will keep them from overcooking while also locking in the smoky flavors. 

You don’t need to wash drumsticks before cooking. Washing your chicken isn’t a necessary step. It could actually spread more bacteria into your sink and surrounding areas. 

For crispier skin on your drumsticks, simply place them directly over the heat for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.