Nothing beats this simple Grilled Chicken Drumsticks recipe. Classic flavor, crispy skin and tender, fall of the bone chicken drumsticks that will steal the show. It’s easy to make and only takes 5 minutes to get ready, but everyone at the BBQ will love the taste.
This is my summer of the grill. Aside from this Spinach and Feta Turkey Burger and some Grilled Steak Kebabs, I am lacking in grilling skills since my husband is the grill master.
That’s it! These easy and tasty Grilled Chicken Drumsticks are the perfect way to start grilling season, and I’m so glad I can do it by myself. Get ready for lots more!.
Grilling juicy, flavorful chicken drumsticks with crispy skin is one of the joys of summer. But nailing the cook time can be tricky. Undercook them and you risk food poisoning. Overcook them and you’ll end up with dried out rubbery meat. So how long does it really take to grill chicken drumsticks to perfection? This detailed guide has all the timing, temperature, and technique tips you need for foolproof drumsticks every time.
The Optimal Grill Time and Temperature
If you want to grill bone-in chicken drumsticks, the best time is between 30 and 35 minutes at 350°F to 450°F. This lets the meat cook all the way through without drying it out or burning the outside.
A few key timing guidelines
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30 minutes is the approximate minimum time needed for medium-sized drumsticks. Jumbo drumsticks may take closer to 40 minutes.
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Grill for a full 30-35 minutes before checking temperature. Shorter times often lead to undercooked chicken.
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After 30 minutes, begin checking temperature frequently. Remove from grill immediately once drumsticks reach 185°F.
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350-375°F is ideal for even cooking without burning. 400-450°F is acceptable for quicker cooking.
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Do not grill over 500°F as this risks burnt outsides and raw insides.
Always rely on an instant read thermometer for doneness, not just time. 185°F is the target temperature for properly cooked dark meat chicken.
Other Factors That Impact Cook Time
The general rule is 30 to 35 minutes, but there are a few things that can make the grill time longer or shorter:
Size of the drumsticks: bigger drumsticks take longer, smaller ones take less time. Adjust a few minutes up or down accordingly.
Bone-in vs bone-out – Boneless drumsticks cook faster than bone-in. Reduce time to 20-25 minutes for boneless.
Grill temperature – Higher heat cooks faster but risks burning. Lower heat makes for slower cooking.
Preparation method – Brined or marinated chicken may cook slightly faster.
Frozen vs thawed – Never grill frozen drumsticks. Always thaw completely first.
Weather conditions – Windy or cold days increase grill time. Hot days can decrease it.
The only way to be 100% sure of doneness is to rigorously monitor temperature with an instant read thermometer. For properly cooked chicken drumsticks, you want to see 185°F.
Handy Timetable from Prep to Plate
Here is a handy timeline from start to finish for perfectly cooked grilled drumsticks:
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10 minutes – Remove drumsticks from fridge and let sit at room temperature
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5 minutes – Prepare grill for direct medium-high heat of 375-450°F
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5 minutes – Pat drumsticks dry. Season or marinate. Poke skin with fork.
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30-35 minutes – Grill over direct heat, flipping every 5-7 minutes
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5 minutes – Brush with sauce if using (do this towards the end to prevent burning)
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5 minutes – Rest off heat before serving
Total Time: 60-65 minutes
The takeaway: To allow the full 30-35 minutes of uninterrupted grilling time, prep your drumsticks early and have your grill preheated and ready to go. This prevents you from rushing and pulling the drumsticks off too soon. A little patience pays off in perfectly cooked chicken!
Handling the Two Zone Fire
For ideal drumstick cooking, utilize the classic two zone fire grill setup. This gives you a direct and indirect heat zone.
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Direct zone – Cook over direct heat on one side of the grill until drumsticks reach 165°F. Gets the inside fully cooked.
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Indirect zone – Move drumsticks to indirect side to finish cooking to 185°F without burning. Also use this zone for saucing.
Proper two zone fire management is key for crispy skin and tender, juicy meat.
Preparation Tips for Best Results
Proper prep and monitoring during grilling are equally important for great drumsticks. Follow these tips:
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Use natural lump charcoal for authentic flavor
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Preheat grill fully – wait until it hits 375-450°F
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Clean and oil grates – prevents sticking
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Pat drumsticks dry – allows crisping
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Poke skin with fork – prevents puffing
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Apply dry rub – flavors the meat
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Flip frequently – prevents burning
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Check temperature often – ensures doneness
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Brush sauce on at end – prevents burning
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Let rest 5 minutes – allows juices to redistribute
FAQs on Grilling Chicken Drumsticks
Can I grill frozen drumsticks?
No, always thaw drumsticks fully before grilling. Grilling from frozen causes unsafe, uneven cooking.
Do I close the grill lid?
Yes, keep the lid closed as much as possible to maintain heat and moisture.
What about marinating time?
For enhanced flavor and tenderness, marinate for 30 minutes to overnight.
How do I get crispy skin?
Pat drumsticks very dry before grilling. Poke skin with fork. Use medium-high heat.
Can I use a grill pan?
Yes, but you won’t get quite as nice of browning and crisping. Use medium heat.
Take the Stress Out with a Trusted Meat Thermometer
The number one rule for perfect grilled chicken drumsticks: Don’t rely on times alone. Invest in an instant read digital meat thermometer for foolproof results every time. It takes the guesswork out of determining doneness. For juicy, tender chicken drumsticks, target an internal temperature of 185°F.
So keep these timing, temperature, prep, and monitoring tips in mind for your best grilled drumsticks yet. With a little practice, you’ll be an expert on exactly how long it takes to grill chicken drumsticks to finger-lickin’ perfection. Now get outside and fire up that grill!
Why You Will Love These Chicken Drumsticks:
- They only require 5 minutes of prep. Put the meat on the grill after adding some oil and spices. It won’t take you long to make these grilled chicken drumsticks.
- Super simple to make and so flavorful. When you make these, all you have to do is flip them over about every 5 minutes. That is it. The easy chicken grilling recipe is so worth the little work it takes to make it.
- Chicken legs are a great way to get iron, zinc, and other important nutrients. People often think that dark chicken meat is bad for them, but it’s not at all. Chicken legs have more iron, zinc, and B vitamins than other parts of the chicken. It has a little more fat, but fat isn’t as bad as it used to be, and these fats are better for you than other fat sources. Try these Chili Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs for more options!.
- Great for meal prep. You can season and prepare the chicken drumsticks up to 24 hours ahead of time. When you’re ready to cook them, just throw them on the grill. After that, wrap it up and put it in the fridge. For most of the week, you can use it as a protein in any simple dinner recipe.
What You Will Need
- Drumsticks and legs of chicken: People often mix them up, but they’re not really the same thing. A chicken leg technically includes the thigh and drumstick. You will get a lot more chicken if you ask for chicken legs instead of drumsticks.
- If you don’t like olive oil, you can use avocado oil or another favorite cooking oil instead.
- seasoning: garlic, onion powder, ground mustard, and smoked paprika. Plain paprika will work if you don’t have smoked paprika, but it won’t taste nearly as good. I love smoked paprika! There is some cayenne in it, but not a lot. You can adjust to your desired spice level. Salt and pepper as well of course!.
