Perfect Grilled Chicken Drumsticks (Juicy & Crispy)
How to grill chicken drumsticks for perfectly juicy, tender and flavorful results. Our easy method will help you avoid common novice mistakes. Use a flavorful brine and a dry rub for best results.
Print
Pin
Servings: 10 -12 drumsticks
Calories: 660kcal
Ingredients
Porter Ale Brine for Drumsticks*
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup coarse salt
- 1 quart hot water
- 12 oz porter ale or another malty dark beer
- 12 oz cold water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon mustard seed
- 3-4 cloves
Chicken Drumsticks
- 10-12 chicken drumsticks
- ¼ cup dry rub of your choice or mix 2 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon coarse salt**, 1 tablespoon each of paprika and garlic powder, then taste and adjust to your liking
Instructions
- 1. Brine the chicken drumsticks ahead of time.
- Place the brown sugar and salt in a suitably large container and add the hot water. Mixed until dissolved. Add the porter and the cold water, then the spices and stir. Let the solution cool down and then submerge the drumsticks. Cover and let brine refrigerated 2 to 12 hours.
- 2. When ready to grill heat your grill to 350 F. Heat one side only in order to have an indirect heat area right next to it.
- 3. While the grill is heating up remove the drumsticks from the brine and discard it. Pat them dry and season liberally with your choice of dry rub.
- 4. Place the drumsticks over the indirect heat and grill with the lid on for about 20-25 minutes. Switch them around - place the ones farthest from the heat source nearer to it and the ones that were closest to it farther away. Continue to grill until the internal temperature reaches 185 F and the fat from the skin is nicely rendered.
- Optional: Move the drumsticks over the direct heat for the final 2-3 minutes to char them.
Notes
The recipe for the brine yields a quantity sufficient for up to 20 drumsticks.
*Here is another alternative for brine for chicken.
**Be mindful of the brand of coarse salt you use. This recipe assumes Diamond brand. If using Morton, cut amount of salt by half. If using a store brand start by adding 1 tablespoon and adjust to taste.
Grill chicken drumsticks until the internal temperature reaches 185 F as specified above. This is a much better gauge than a specified time. Use a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the drumstick and not touching the bone to measure it.
Nutrition
Serving: 2g | Calories: 660kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 177mg | Sodium: 172mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g
