BBQ Sauce Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
BBQ Sauce Chicken Drumsticks Recipe feature tender, juicy chicken coated in a flavorful homemade barbecue sauce made from ketchup, molasses, spices, and vinegar. The drumsticks are seasoned, baked, and basted to create a caramelized, smoky glaze. This recipe offers a delicious and easy way to enjoy classic BBQ flavours in a satisfying main course.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Baking tray or oven-safe dish
- Parchment paper or foil
- Small saucepan (for BBQ sauce)
- Basting brush
- Tongs
Ingredients
For The Chicken Drumsticks:
- 6 bone in skin on chicken drumsticks
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 green onions thinly sliced
For The Homemade BBQ Sauce:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or dark muscovado sugar
- 1 tbsp molasses & honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- Pinch of chili powder
- 2 –3 tbsp water to thin the sauce if needed
Instructions
Step 1: Get The Oven Ready
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to make cleanup easier later. Use paper towels to pat the chicken drumsticks dry this helps them crisp up better in the oven.
Step 2: Season The Chicken
- Place the drumsticks in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle on some salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Toss everything together so the chicken is well coated with the spices. Lay them out on the baking sheet in a single layer, making sure there’s a bit of space between each piece.
Step 3: Make The BBQ Sauce
- While the chicken starts roasting, get your BBQ sauce going. In a small pot over medium heat, stir together ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, honey, Dijon mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and your favourite BBQ spices. Let it simmer for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens up. If it gets too thick, just add a splash of water. Once it’s ready, take it off the heat and set it aside.
Step 4: Bake And Baste
- Roast the drumsticks for 25 minutes. Take them out and brush them all over with the BBQ sauce. Put them back in the oven for another 15 to 20 minutes, brushing on more sauce halfway through. The chicken should be nicely caramelised and cooked through (look for an internal temp of 165°F / 74°C).
Step 5: Finish And Serve
- Once they’re out of the oven, let the drumsticks rest for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with some sliced green onions for a fresh touch. Serve them up with your go to sides think cornbread, coleslaw, or grilled veggies.