Grilling juicy, flavorful chicken drumsticks with crispy skin is one of the joys of summer. But nailing the cook time can be tricky. Undercook them and you risk food poisoning. Overcook them and you’ll end up with dried out rubbery meat. So how long does it really take to grill chicken drumsticks to perfection? This detailed guide has all the timing, temperature, and technique tips you need for foolproof drumsticks every time.
The Optimal Grill Time and Temperature
The sweet spot for grilling bone-in chicken drumsticks is around 30-35 minutes at medium heat of 350°F-450°F. This allows the meat to fully cook through without overdrying or burning the exterior.
A few key timing guidelines
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30 minutes is the approximate minimum time needed for medium-sized drumsticks. Jumbo drumsticks may take closer to 40 minutes.
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Grill for a full 30-35 minutes before checking temperature. Shorter times often lead to undercooked chicken.
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After 30 minutes, begin checking temperature frequently. Remove from grill immediately once drumsticks reach 185°F.
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350-375°F is ideal for even cooking without burning. 400-450°F is acceptable for quicker cooking.
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Do not grill over 500°F as this risks burnt outsides and raw insides.
Always rely on an instant read thermometer for doneness, not just time. 185°F is the target temperature for properly cooked dark meat chicken.
Other Factors That Impact Cook Time
While 30-35 minutes is the general rule of thumb, several factors can increase or decrease grill time:
Drumstick size – Larger drumsticks need more time, smaller ones less time. Adjust a few minutes up or down accordingly.
Bone-in vs bone-out – Boneless drumsticks cook faster than bone-in. Reduce time to 20-25 minutes for boneless.
Grill temperature – Higher heat cooks faster but risks burning. Lower heat makes for slower cooking.
Preparation method – Brined or marinated chicken may cook slightly faster.
Frozen vs thawed – Never grill frozen drumsticks. Always thaw completely first.
Weather conditions – Windy or cold days increase grill time. Hot days can decrease it.
The only way to be 100% sure of doneness is to rigorously monitor temperature with an instant read thermometer. For properly cooked chicken drumsticks, you want to see 185°F.
Handy Timetable from Prep to Plate
Here is a handy timeline from start to finish for perfectly cooked grilled drumsticks:
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10 minutes – Remove drumsticks from fridge and let sit at room temperature
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5 minutes – Prepare grill for direct medium-high heat of 375-450°F
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5 minutes – Pat drumsticks dry. Season or marinate. Poke skin with fork.
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30-35 minutes – Grill over direct heat, flipping every 5-7 minutes
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5 minutes – Brush with sauce if using (do this towards the end to prevent burning)
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5 minutes – Rest off heat before serving
Total Time: 60-65 minutes
The takeaway: To allow the full 30-35 minutes of uninterrupted grilling time, prep your drumsticks early and have your grill preheated and ready to go. This prevents you from rushing and pulling the drumsticks off too soon. A little patience pays off in perfectly cooked chicken!
Handling the Two Zone Fire
For ideal drumstick cooking, utilize the classic two zone fire grill setup. This gives you a direct and indirect heat zone.
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Direct zone – Cook over direct heat on one side of the grill until drumsticks reach 165°F. Gets the inside fully cooked.
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Indirect zone – Move drumsticks to indirect side to finish cooking to 185°F without burning. Also use this zone for saucing.
Proper two zone fire management is key for crispy skin and tender, juicy meat.
Preparation Tips for Best Results
Proper prep and monitoring during grilling are equally important for great drumsticks. Follow these tips:
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Use natural lump charcoal for authentic flavor
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Preheat grill fully – wait until it hits 375-450°F
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Clean and oil grates – prevents sticking
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Pat drumsticks dry – allows crisping
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Poke skin with fork – prevents puffing
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Apply dry rub – flavors the meat
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Flip frequently – prevents burning
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Check temperature often – ensures doneness
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Brush sauce on at end – prevents burning
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Let rest 5 minutes – allows juices to redistribute
FAQs on Grilling Chicken Drumsticks
Can I grill frozen drumsticks?
No, always thaw drumsticks fully before grilling. Grilling from frozen causes unsafe, uneven cooking.
Do I close the grill lid?
Yes, keep the lid closed as much as possible to maintain heat and moisture.
What about marinating time?
For enhanced flavor and tenderness, marinate for 30 minutes to overnight.
How do I get crispy skin?
Pat drumsticks very dry before grilling. Poke skin with fork. Use medium-high heat.
Can I use a grill pan?
Yes, but you won’t get quite as nice of browning and crisping. Use medium heat.
Take the Stress Out with a Trusted Meat Thermometer
The number one rule for perfect grilled chicken drumsticks: Don’t rely on times alone. Invest in an instant read digital meat thermometer for foolproof results every time. It takes the guesswork out of determining doneness. For juicy, tender chicken drumsticks, target an internal temperature of 185°F.
So keep these timing, temperature, prep, and monitoring tips in mind for your best grilled drumsticks yet. With a little practice, you’ll be an expert on exactly how long it takes to grill chicken drumsticks to finger-lickin’ perfection. Now get outside and fire up that grill!
Why You Will Love These Chicken Drumsticks:
- They only require 5 minutes of prep. Add some oil, rub in the spices and you are set for the grill. Making these grilled chicken drumsticks will not take much of your time at all.
- Super simple to make and so flavorful. The only requirement when making these is to flip every 5 minutes or so. That is it. For that little amount of work, the tender, delicious chicken grilling recipe is so worth it!
- Chicken legs are a great source of iron and zinc and other essential nutrients. Dark chicken meat is often deemed unhealthy, but it is not at all. Chicken legs contain higher quantities of B vitamins, iron and zinc. The fat content is slightly higher, but fat is not the enemy it once was and the fats are healthier than other fat sources. Try these Chili Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs for more options!
- Great for meal prep. You can season and prep the chicken drumsticks up to 24 hours in advance and then toss them on the grill when ready. You can then set it aside wrapped in the fridge for a great protein to add to any simple dinner recipe for much of the week!
What You Will Need
- chicken drumsticks: chicken legs and drumsticks are often thought of as the same thing, but they technically are not. A chicken leg technically includes the thigh and drumstick. So if you request chicken legs instead of drumsticks, you will end up with a lot more chicken.
- olive oil: I like olive oil but you could use avocado oil or another favorite cooking oil if desired.
- seasoning: garlic, onion powder, ground mustard, and smoked paprika. If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular will work, but the flavor will not be nearly the same. Big fan of smoked paprika here! Cayenne is included, but just a touch. You can adjust to your desired spice level. Salt and pepper as well of course!
