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Tasty Kid-Friendly BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Easy Family Meal Recipe

kid-friendly BBQ chicken drumsticks - featured image
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A kid-approved, fuss-free BBQ chicken drumsticks recipe that is juicy, tender, and coated with a sticky, slightly sweet BBQ sauce. Perfect for family meals and easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2 pounds / 900 grams) – skin on for crispiness
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of mild chili powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top if using.
  2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss drumsticks with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
  3. Arrange the drumsticks on the wire rack or directly on the foil-lined sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
  4. Bake the chicken in the oven for 30 minutes.
  5. While baking, whisk together ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and chili powder (if using) in a small bowl. Taste and adjust sweetness or tanginess if needed.
  6. Remove drumsticks from oven after 30 minutes. Using a basting brush or spoon, generously coat each drumstick with the BBQ sauce.
  7. Switch oven to broil on high. Place the drumsticks back in the oven under the broiler for 5-7 minutes, watching closely, until the sauce is bubbly and caramelized. Rotate the pan halfway through for even browning.
  8. Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it’s at least 165°F (74°C). If not, broil for another minute or two, but don’t let the sauce burn.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure crispy skin. Bake low and slow before broiling to caramelize the sauce without burning. Let drumsticks rest after cooking for juiciness. Watch broiler carefully to avoid burning. Double the BBQ sauce for extra coating or dipping.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ chicken drumsticks, kid-friendly, family meal, easy recipe, baked chicken, BBQ sauce, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/tasty-kid-friendly-bbq-chicken-drumsticks-easy-family-meal-recipe/