With a simple and flavorful homemade seasoning rub, these grilled chicken drumsticks come together so easily and quickly. With crispy, golden skin and fall-off-the-bone meat, these drumsticks will be the star of the show. You’ll definitely want to make this chicken drumsticks recipe for your next BBQ!

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these healthy grilled chicken drumsticks are the perfect way to kick off your summer grilling seasoning! It’s so easy to make and they’re always a huge hit!

Overhead view of a platter of grilled chicken drumsticks with lemon slices, cilantro, and a creamy dip.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These grilled chicken drumsticks only take a few minutes to prep! The hardest part about preparing these chicken drumsticks is measuring the ingredients, but after a while, you can simply eyeball the amounts!
It only takes around 20 to 25 minutes to cook on the grill (depending on the size of your chicken drumsticks), so these drumsticks are perfect if you’re looking for a quick, easy dinner.
The homemade rub is super flavorful. You can adjust it to your favorite seasoning if you prefer, but this is a combination I’m currently super fond of.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients needed to make grilled chicken drumsticks.

seasoning — I use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried parsley, dried oregano, brown sugar, and gochugaru (Gochugaru is Korean red pepper powder. Swap for cayenne pepper if you don’t have it on hand). I find that this gives a good balance of savory, sweetness, and some heat.
oil — I use some olive oil, but you can use another neutral oil, such as avocado oil.
chicken drumsticks — chicken drumsticks are located in the lower part of the chicken leg! Chicken leg quarters and drumsticks are not to same, and their cooking times will differ.

How to Make Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Set of two photos showing seasoning combined in a bowl then tossed with chicken.

Combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried parsley, dried oregano, brown sugar, and gochugaru in a small bowl.
Drizzle the oil over the chicken drumsticks and rub the oil all over the drumsticks to completely coat. Season well with the seasoning mix.

Set of two photos showing before and after drumsticks cooked on a grill.

Heat the grill to 400ºF.
Grill on direct heat for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of the drumsticks.
Flip every 5 to 6 minutes so every side of the chicken is crispy. Make sure the lid is on between flipping.
Remove the chicken drumsticks from the grill and allow the chicken to rest for at least five minutes before serving.

A hand holding up a grilled chicken drumstick over a platter of more drumsticks.

Recipe Tips and Notes

Some people may not be a fan, but I love serving my drumstick with some lemon slices or with a bit of lemon squeezed on top for some extra brightness!
When you grill the chicken drumsticks, keep the lid on. This will trap the heat so the chicken will cook evenly.
If the chicken is getting too dark too quickly, you can move it to indirect heat. My grill has a second set of grates on the lid to pop the chicken onto, so it still cooks but not directly over the flames.
If the chicken drumsticks are stuck to the grill, give it a few more extra minutes. Similar to pan-searing chicken, the chicken should release once it’s ready to be flipped.
The internal temperature of the chicken drumsticks should reach 165°F (74°C) before taking them off the grill.

My Recommendation

This is my go-to meat thermometer for making sure that the internal temperature of my meat is good to go. It’s also magnetic so I have it on my fridge door to save drawer space!

Get it Now!

This grilled chicken thighs recipe was tested on a stainless steel gas grill.
Try to get the seasoning underneath the skin of the drumsticks as well. This will make the chicken even more flavorful!
Let chicken drumsticks come to room temperature before grilling so the chicken cooks evenly.
Always let the chicken rest before serving. This gives the chicken drumsticks time to redistribute the juices and remain moist. If you cut too early into the chicken, all the juices will run out.
While you don’t have to marinate these drumsticks, if you have the time, you can season them and leave them overnight in the fridge for even more flavorful chicken!
If there are any flare-ups (thanks to the fat from the drumsticks), you can shift the drumsticks off the heat or turn down the heat for a bit.
You can easily double or triple this recipe for a crowd.
You can brush some oil onto the grill grates if you’re worried about the chicken sticking.

Close up view of a grilled chicken drumstick with cilantro surrounded by lemon slices.

Make Ahead Tips

Meal prep: once cooled, store the cooked chicken drumsticks in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezer: allow the grilled chicken drumsticks to cool before transferring them into an airtight container before storing them in the freezer. They can last for up to 3 months.
Reheat: while you can reheat leftover chicken in the microwave, you can use an air fryer or reheat them in the oven for a couple of minutes so the skin stays crispy!

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

With a simple and flavorful homemade seasoning rub, these grilled chicken drumsticks come together so easily and quickly. With crispy, golden skin and fall-off-the-bone meat, these drumsticks will be the star of the show. You'll definitely want to make this chicken drumsticks recipe for your next BBQ!

5 from 1 vote

Print Rate

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings: servings

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon gochugaru, or cayenne powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon brown sugar
8 chicken drumsticks
2 tablespoons oil

Equipment

grill

Instructions

Combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried parsley, dried oregano, brown sugar, and gochugaru in a small bowl.
Drizzle the oil over the chicken drumsticks and rub the oil all over the drumsticks to completely coat. Season well with the seasoning mix.
Heat the grill to 400ºF.
Grill on direct heat for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of the drumsticks.
Flip the chicken drumsticks every 5 to 6 minutes so every side of the chicken is crispy. Make sure the lid is on between flipping.
Remove the chicken drumsticks from the grill and allow the chicken to rest for at least five minutes before serving.

Tried this recipe?Did you make this recipe? I’m always so happy to hear about it! I’d love to see how it turned out. Tag me at @CarmysHungry on Instagram so I can see it! If you enjoyed the recipe, I’d really appreciate a comment with a 5 star rating! ♥

Nutrition Per Serving

Author: Carmy

Course: BBQ

Cuisine: American

Nutrition Disclaimer

More Grilling Recipes to Try

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