Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
These Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken Drumsticks feature a sticky, sweet-heat glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill, delivering juicy, tender chicken with a crispy skin. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or backyard cookouts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 chicken drumsticks, skin-on and bone-in
- ⅓ cup (113 g) honey
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, olive oil, and smoked paprika until smooth and slightly thick.
- Toss the chicken drumsticks in the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1-2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (around 375°F / 190°C) and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Place the drumsticks on the grill, skin side down first. Grill for about 10 minutes per side, turning occasionally with tongs to avoid burning.
- During the last 10 minutes of grilling, brush the reserved marinade onto the drumsticks in thin layers every 3-4 minutes to build a sticky glaze. Watch for flare-ups and move drumsticks as needed.
- Check for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a drumstick; it should read 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, cut into one to ensure juices run clear.
- Transfer the drumsticks to a platter and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but 1-2 hours or overnight yields deeper flavor. Brush glaze gradually during the last 10 minutes of grilling to avoid burning. Keep a spray bottle of water handy to control flare-ups. Use tongs to turn chicken to avoid piercing and drying out the meat. Rest chicken for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 drumsticks
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 28
Keywords: honey sriracha chicken, grilled chicken drumsticks, sticky glaze chicken, easy grilled chicken, spicy sweet chicken, backyard barbecue recipe