Description

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with a sweet and savory glaze make for the perfect meal, offering a balance of smoky flavor from the grill and rich sweetness from the marinade and glaze. The combination of olive oil, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar creates a juicy and flavorful drumstick that’s tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Ingredients

½ cup olive oil

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave nectar or honey

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free version if needed)

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary

1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

8 chicken drumsticks (skin removed)

⅓ cup balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons maple syrup or agave nectar or honey

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

In a glass bowl, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients until well combined.
Place the drumsticks in a ziplock bag or a glass or ceramic dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken drumsticks, turning them to coat well. If using a ziplock bag, seal it and “massage” the chicken to evenly coat the drumsticks.
Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before cooking to bring it closer to room temperature for more even grilling.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Once hot, brush the grill grates with oil (use an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil).
Place the marinated chicken on the grill and close the lid. Cook the chicken, turning every 5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This should take about 25-35 minutes depending on the thickness of the drumsticks.
In a small saucepan, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook until the glaze thickens, about 5 minutes.
Once the chicken is cooked, brush it with the glaze on one side, and cook for another minute. Flip the chicken, brush with glaze on the other side, and cook for another minute.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade for some extra heat.
Herb Variation: Experiment with fresh or dried herbs like thyme or oregano to customize the flavor.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (excluding marinating time)
Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 drumstick
Calories: 275 kcal
Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 540 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 5 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 24 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg