Espresso BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients

• 8–10 chicken drumsticks (about 2.5–3 lbs)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra smokiness)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup Kinzie Espresso BBQ Sauce, plus more for serving

Instructions

Prep the Drumsticks

1. Pat chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.
2. Place in a large bowl or resealable plastic bag.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Toss to coat evenly.

Marinate

1. Add 1/2 cup of Kinzie Espresso BBQ Sauce to the drumsticks and mix to coat.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.

Grill or Bake the Chicken Drumsticks

For the Grill:

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat (about 375°F–400°F). Oil the grates to prevent sticking.
2. Place drumsticks on the grill, turning every 4–5 minutes to avoid burning, for about 25–30 minutes total.

For the Oven:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil or lightly oil the rack.
3. Arrange drumsticks on the rack and bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
4. After 30 minutes, start basting with the remaining 1/2 cup Kinzie Espresso BBQ Sauce, brushing on 2–3 coats during the last 10 minutes of baking.
5. Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end to caramelize the glaze.

Glaze

1. During the last 10 minutes of grilling, brush on additional BBQ sauce (about 1/2 cup) in layers, allowing each layer to caramelize before adding more.

Serve

1. Remove from the grill once internal temperature reaches at least 175°F (drumsticks are best cooked to 180–185°F for tenderness).
2. Let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with extra Kinzie Espresso BBQ Sauce on the side.

Pro Tip: Baste in layers during the last few minutes to build a sticky, smoky-sweet crust that seals in flavor.