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Flavorful Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

honey sriracha grilled chicken drumsticks - featured image

This recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken drumsticks with a perfect balance of sweet heat from honey and sriracha, ideal for easy backyard cookouts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 810 chicken drumsticks (34 lbs / 1.31.8 kg), skin on
  • 1/4 cup (85 g) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sriracha sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame oil (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt or to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade by whisking together honey, sriracha, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, black pepper, smoked paprika, and salt in a large bowl until smooth and glossy.
  2. Add the chicken drumsticks to the marinade, turning to coat evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours to overnight for best flavor.
  3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F / 190-205°C). If using charcoal, wait until coals are covered with white ash. Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Place drumsticks on the grill skin side down first. Grill for 12-15 minutes per side, turning every 5 minutes to avoid burning. Baste with reserved marinade halfway through grilling.
  5. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The skin should be caramelized with a sticky, slightly charred crust.
  6. Remove drumsticks from the grill and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to lock in moisture.
  7. Serve warm and enjoy. Napkins recommended for the sticky glaze.

Notes

Marinate overnight for maximum flavor. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. Manage grill heat zones to avoid flare-ups and burning. Baste halfway through grilling for extra glaze. Leftovers reheat well in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes to maintain crispy skin. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari. For vegan adaptation, use plant-based chicken and replace honey with agave syrup.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey sriracha chicken, grilled chicken drumsticks, easy cookout recipe, sweet and spicy chicken, backyard BBQ, finger food