Chicken Drumsticks are for Adults Too!

These chicken drumsticks are juicy, flavorful, and anything but kid food. When seasoned inside and out, basted with butter, and finished with a sticky glaze of Blue Ribbin BBQ sauce, they become a backyard BBQ masterpiece that adults will fight over.

Chicken Drumsticks Are for Adults Too!

Drumsticks often get passed to the kids, but that changes today. This recipe brings out everything that makes a chicken leg delicious—crispy skin, juicy meat, and rich buttery BBQ flavor.

With seasoning under and over the skin, a double-sauce method, and a final blast of heat to set it all in place, these chicken legs will earn their spot at the grown-up table.

How to Make Chicken Drumsticks Are for Adults Too!

Preparation

Preheat your smoker to 300°F. Lay out your chicken drumsticks in a foil tray and coat them lightly with vegetable oil. One by one, pull the skin down toward the skinny end of each drumstick to expose the meat. Season the exposed meat generously with Tumbleweed BBQ Rub, then roll the skin back up and season the outside as well. Once all the drumsticks are seasoned, add ½ to ¾ lb of butter right on top of the chicken in the tray.

Smoking the Chicken

Place the foil tray on the smoker and let the chicken cook for 30 minutes. Then baste each drumstick with the melted butter pooling in the tray. Continue cooking for 15 more minutes, then check the internal temperature of a few drumsticks. You’re looking for at least 145°F near the bone. Once the chicken is cooked through, pour in a bottle of Blue Ribbin BBQ Sauce, letting it mix into that buttery goodness.

Saucing and Glazing

Crank your smoker or grill up to 400°F. Remove the drumsticks one by one, fully coat them in the buttery BBQ sauce using a spoon or brush, and place them directly on the grill grates. Let them cook for 5–10 minutes, rotating if needed, until the sauce begins to set and get slightly sticky. You’ll see the glaze tighten up and get that perfect sheen.

Resting the Chicken

Once your drumsticks are done, double-check that the internal temp has reached 160°F or higher. Let them rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to settle. Then, for the final touch, give them a light dusting of Happy Endings BBQ Finishing Rub just before serving. That extra hit of flavor on the finish takes them from great to unforgettable.

Best Beer to Pair With Chicken Drumsticks Are for Adults Too!

Brown Ale

Its malty sweetness pairs perfectly with rich BBQ sauce and buttery glaze.

Wheat Beer

A light, citrusy brew that contrasts nicely with smoky chicken.

Session IPA

Offers bright hop notes without overpowering the savory flavors.