Grilled BBQ chicken is super quick and easy and doesn’t require a marinade, so it is perfect for last-minute dinners or entertaining. With this recipe from carlsbadcravings.com, you will be fully quipped to make grilled BBQ chicken in all its juicy, saucy, caramelized-edged glory.
Ingredients
- 8-10 skinless chicken drumsticks approx. 3 pounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Spice Rub
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp EACH chili powder, onion, powder, garlic powder, brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp EACH chipotle chili powder, dried thyme, pepper
BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons seedless blackberry preserves
- 2 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons reserved Spice Rub (from above, in directions)
Instructions
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Whisk together all of the Spice Rub ingredients. Remove 1 ½ teaspoons to a saucepan to use later in your barbecue sauce.
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Drizzle chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil and rub it all over the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with half of the spice mix and rub into chicken. Flip chicken over and sprinkle with remaining spice rub (it will seem like a lot but use it all). Rub spice mix into chicken. Let chicken sit 30 minutes at room temperature OR you can cover and refrigerate up to overnight and cook later. (If you refrigerate chicken and grill later, let chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to grilling for more even cooking.)
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Meanwhile, add all of the BBQ sauce ingredients to the saucepan with the reserved 1 ½ teaspoons spice rub. Whisk together and simmer for 5-10 minutes for the flavors to meld.
To Grill
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Grease and preheat grill to high heat. Once hot, add chicken and sear, uncovered, for 5 minutes, flip chicken over and sear an additional 5 minutes.
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Cover and turn heat down to low so the temperature stays around 325 degrees F when the lid is closed. Cook 5 minutes with the lid closed, flip and cook an additional 5 minutes with the lid closed.
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Baste chicken with barbecue sauce and cook 1 minute, flip and cook an additional minute. Using an instant-read thermometer, check temperature of chicken at the thickest part without touching the bone. Chicken is done when it registers 165-180º F. If chicken isn’t done, continue to grill (covered) and flip chicken and baste with barbecue sauce every 3 minutes until it reaches temperature.
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Remove chicken to a serving platter, brush with sauce. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve with additional BBQ sauce.
To Bake
- Line a baking sheet with foil (for easy cleanup) and top with a baking/cooling rack if you have one. Lightly spray rack with nonstick cooking spray. Line drumsticks on the baking rack without touching. Let chicken set at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425 F degrees. Bake chicken at 425 F degrees for 30-35 minutes or until cooked through.
- Remove chicken to a serving platter, brush with BBQ sauce. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve with additional BBQ sauce.
