# Grilled Spice-Rubbed Chicken Drumsticks

Perfectly juicy and tender grilled chicken drumsticks achieved by brining and using a two-heat cooking method on the grill.

- Prep time: 30 min
- Total time: 60 min
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner
- Difficulty: easy
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 5 pound chicken drumstick
- 2 quart water
- 0.5 cup table salt
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 0.75 tsp table salt
- 0.75 tsp ground black pepper
- 0.25 tsp cayenne
- vegetable oil (optional)

## Instructions

1. Dissolve the half cup of table salt into the two quarts of cold water.
2. Submerge the chicken drumsticks in the brine and refrigerate.
3. Mix the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a bowl.
4. Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry.
5. Dredge each drumstick in the spice rub, ensuring the skin is smoothed down properly.
6. Prepare the grill for indirect cooking by heating all burners to high, then turning off the burners on one side.
7. Clean the grill grates and lightly oil them.
8. Place the drumsticks on the cool side of the grill and cover. Cook for 25 minutes.
9. Flip the drumsticks and rotate their position to ensure even cooking, then cover and cook until the internal temperature reaches 185 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Transfer the chicken to the hot side of the grill for 5 minutes to crisp and char, rotating as needed.
11. Remove the drumsticks from the grill, cover with foil, and let rest for a few minutes.

## Equipment

- zipper lock bag
- whisk
- plate
- gas grill
- paper towel
- thermometer
- tongs
- foil

## Source

- Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyA1aEoDHJo
- Creator: America's Test Kitchen
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/b5541520-ee36-45b0-8286-ce9beb32cc9a
- Extracted: 2026-10-20

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt