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barbecue chicken breast
Faiza Shabir

Easy Sweet Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Easy Sweet Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks are sticky, finger-licking good, and packed with smoky sweet flavor. Juicy chicken drumsticks are coated in a rich homemade sweet barbecue glaze and baked or grilled to caramelized perfection. This recipe is simple enough for beginners yet impressive enough for any gathering. A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults at the dinner table.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 chicken drumsticks
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
  2. Pat chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels and place in a large bowl.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over drumsticks and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
  4. Toss well to coat each drumstick evenly with the seasoning.
  5. In a separate bowl, mix barbecue sauce, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
  6. Reserve half of the sauce for basting and set aside.
  7. Coat drumsticks generously with the remaining barbecue sauce mixture.
  8. Arrange drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
  9. Bake for 25 minutes, then flip each drumstick over.
  10. Brush with reserved sauce and bake for another 15–20 minutes until caramelized and cooked through.
  11. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  12. Broil for the last 3 minutes for extra sticky, charred edges.
  13. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • Marinate drumsticks in the sauce overnight for even deeper flavor.
  • For grilling, cook over medium heat and baste every 5 minutes for a perfect glaze.
  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for a sweet-and-spicy kick.
  • Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
  • Serve with coleslaw, corn on the cob, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

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