Sticky BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

These juicy, finger-licking BBQ chicken drumsticks are coated in a flavorful spice rub and glazed with sticky barbecue sauce. Perfect for family dinners, game day, or backyard gatherings - they're sure crowd-pleasers that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.

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Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: BBQ, Chicken

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 50

Servings:

Calories: 385kcal

Equipment

Baking Tray

Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds chicken drumsticks
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 ½ cups BBQ sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
In a large bowl, combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Add drumsticks and toss until evenly coated with the spice mixture.
Arrange drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, guaranteeing they don't touch.
Bake for 20 minutes, then remove and brush with BBQ sauce. Return to oven and bake for 7-8 minutes.
Flip drumsticks, brush with more BBQ sauce, and bake for another 7-8 minutes.
Turn oven to broil setting. Broil drumsticks for 3-4 minutes per side, brushing with additional sauce until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Notes

Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm drumsticks reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

For extra sticky glaze, apply additional BBQ sauce during the final broiling step.

Pat drumsticks dry before applying the spice rub for better adherence and crispier skin.

Reserve some clean BBQ sauce for serving alongside the cooked drumsticks.

Drumsticks can be seasoned up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake.

For less heat, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper from the spice blend.

Line the baking sheet with parchment paper instead of foil if preferred, though foil works better for easy cleanup.

Nutrition