INGREDIENTS:
- 10 chicken drumsticks, skin on
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust according to heat preference)
For the BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat. Rinse the drumsticks and pat them dry with paper towels. Rub each drumstick with olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Ensure each piece is evenly coated.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding cayenne pepper if you want extra heat. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Place the drumsticks on the grill, and cook for about 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are nicely browned and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- In the last 10 minutes of grilling, start brushing the drumsticks with the BBQ sauce every few minutes, turning them to ensure they are coated evenly and the sauce caramelizes nicely.
- Once cooked, transfer the drumsticks to a platter and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve the BBQ drumsticks with any remaining BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.