A simple, 6 ingredient sweet and spicy meal that’s perfect for summer grilling! These were a big hit!
I know, I know — it’s August 26th! I should probably be posting pumpkin or Christmas cookies or something, right?
I am still hanging on to our last sliver of summer over here, so I was super excited about trying out these chicken drumsticks on the grill.
I definitely want a sweet and stick glaze and decided on this combination of maple syrup and chili sauce because:
(a) I love Maple anything
(b) I love sweet on everything.
Sweet + spicy is my favorite mix on grilled anything — I just think you need a bit of sweetness to balance out the other flavors, right?
I also love the simple ingredient list: maple syrup, chili sauce, vinegar, garlic, salt, chicken. Simple is where its at theses days.
I skinned a few of my drumsticks, and left the skin on a few.
I did this only because I don’t normally cook with skin on chicken, and I wanted to see what kind of a difference it made. I didn’t find that it made much of a difference in moisture or flavor, and I think it really comes down to (a) do you want to take the time to skin them? and (b) how much do you like the texture of the skin?
I placed some on a piece of tin foil on the grill, sprayed with non-stick on both sides, and I placed some on the grill directly. I tend to grill pretty much everything on a piece of tin foil because stuck on food is my worst nightmare. I found that they didn’t stick on the grill either way, but the ones on the grill charred much more quickly.
This isn’t a bad thing, and I like that the recipe warns against the quick caramelization (i.e., sugar burns!). I ended up taking the drumsticks off of the tin foil half way through so they would get some caramelization, and moved the ones from the grill to the top rack so they wouldn’t burn. Either way, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them (like the recipe says).
Maple Glazed Chicken Drumsticks
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 12 chicken drumsticks
- 1/2 cup + ¼ cup maple syrup divided
- 1/2 cup + ¼ cup chili sauce divided
- 1/4 cup + ⅛ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp + ½ tsp minced garlic divided
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Add chicken drumsticks to a large resealable plastic bag (skin on or off as desired). Combine ½ cup maple syrup, ½ cup chili sauce, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp minced garlic and salt and pepper as desired. Pour over drumsticks in bag.
- Seal bag and turn to coat drumsticks. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for 2-8 hours (I marinated mine just a couple hours).
- Preheat grill to about 400 degrees F (I had 2 sides on, and one side off so I could move them to indirect heat if need be). Either grease the grill with oil or non-stick, or spray a piece of tin foil with non-stick spray and place on the grill over the heat (*see post for additional explanation). Place drumsticks on the grill, and cook, turning every so often, for 20-25 minutes or until meat starts to fall away from the bone. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn! Move to indirect heat if need be.
- While drumsticks are cooking (or you can do this ahead of time if you need to), combine ¼ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup chili sauce, ⅛ cup apple cider vinegar and ½ tsp minced garlic in a small pot. Bring to a low simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until reduced and thickened (about 10-15 minutes). Turn off heat and keep warm until chicken is done.
- Brush drumsticks with thickened glaze before serving.
Nutrition Information
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Melanie @ Gather for Bread says
You’re making me so hangry! I don’t believe chicken could look any more delish. 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Oh my goodness Ashley! These look like the best drumsticks ever!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Christin!
Amanda says
This chicken look amazing!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Amanda!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It was 104 today in Sacramento so grilling is still in season for us. These drumsticks look like this weekend’s menu to me 🙂 Gorgeous photos Ashley!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Trish!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Oh man, I SO miss having the Food Network, we had to cut our plan back 🙁 These drumsticks look SO good, love love love maple on chicken and those other flavors sound amazing!
Ashley Fehr says
Oh man! We have the Food Network and I just never get to watch it! Which is maybe even worse… Lol. Seriously, NEVER. Thanks Denise! I am kind of obsessed with maple as well!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Gosh, could you have grilled these any more perfectly?! Seriously, they look amazing. And the sauce sounds really delicious. I love making drumsticks because they are always SO affordable. I’ll have to try these!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jess! I’ve definitely been practising my grilling skills this summer! 🙂
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
I am amazed that 5 ingredients can make chicken that looks this darn good! Thanks for sharing this recipe – as much as I love Christmas cookies, am glad you shared this instead! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, thanks Shashi! Don’t worry, there will be Christmas cookies 😉
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
The sticky glaze on these drumsticks are calling my name.
Ashley Fehr says
It called mine once or twice too 🙂
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
Yummy! These drumsticks look delicious!! I’m totally going to make this recipe with chicken wings for tailgating at football games. Yeah, everyone will be hanging out at my grill 🙂 Yay to grilling until the cold weather sets in!
Ashley Fehr says
This glaze would be awesome on chicken wings! You will definitely have friends 😉
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
These look phenomenal Ashley!! Love that char. It’s still super hot here, so I need to make these asap! Actually I could make these in the winter too because it’s only in the 60’s during our winter. Pinning! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, yes totally! And then we’ll all be jealous!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Oh my gawsh, I am SO NOT ready for pumpkin anything! I am with you, holding on very tightly to ALL the things summer I possibly can! And these drumsticks MUST happen before fall recipes take over my life! Sweet and spicy is my favorite combination too (because what is there not to love??), but MAPLE sweet and spicy? YUMMM! Loving these drumsticks! Pinned! Cheers and thanks for sharing the deliciousness!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
You made me crack up with the whole posting pumpkin in August…it seriously is suddenly everywhere and I’m like uhhh isn’t it summer folks?
And I love anything maple. These wings look so good! When we used to go up to Canada to visit my family we would have Maple Snow. Please tell me you have had that before?!?
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, yes of course I’ve had that before! Love it! And though I love the cooler weather and actually baking, it could stay like this for a few more months and I’d be perfectly happy!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
This is sweet, spicy perfection! Please don’t tell me summer is almost over! 😉
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, I refuse to believe it!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
That sauce sounds amazing! I’m totally holding onto summer recipes too! I’m working on ice cream recipes for my blog this week!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! I’m so glad! And I can eat ice cream any month of the year, so really, bring on the frozen treats! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
These drumsticks look incredible, Ashley! I love the beautiful grill marks and the maple glaze sounds so flavorful! We are still in summer grilling mode here so this recipe is perfect!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I feel like all I watch are cooking shows. That, and Real Housewives. I’m such a girl, haha! These drumsticks look PERFECT! Shawn will be a very happy boy when I make him these for dinner : )
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, I so wish I had more time to watch TV Natalie! I think that’s one of the things I miss most now — actually getting to watch my shows! Pretty soon you’ll be curling up with baby to watch the Real Housewives! 🙂
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Stacey! Keep right on grilling! I grill year round, even when we lived in MI. I would use skin on just because I like the crunchy skin. I still have some fabulous Amish maple syrup – I’ve been rather stingy with it, saving it for the really good stuff. And these certainly qualify as good stuff! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
We rarely grill in the winter, but I think we’ve still got a good couple months of grilling left over here! I just love maple syrup — the real stuff is the only way to go!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
The drumsticks are drool-worthy! Love the maple glaze.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jen!
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
These are grilled, how cool, and I love the maple flavor, definitely must try them! Si sticky and so good!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes — love the sticky glaze! My favorite part 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Yum! I love the maple glaze- it screams fall but also helps balance the sweet and savory 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Medha!
marcie says
These drumsticks have some serious char — they look amazing! I love maple syrup, too, and this marinade sounds incredible. I prefer grilling recipes over Christmas cookies — not ready for that yet! haha
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, me neither Marcie! Give me at least a couple of weeks 😉
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Dude, the char on these drumsticks. . perfection!!! they look crazy good!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Alice! I have definitely upped my grilling game this summer!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love maple anything too and this is just perfect to savor what’s left of summer! These drumsticks look so good, Ashley! I wish I could dive right into that plate for breakfast! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gayle!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
These chicken drumsticks are pure torture, Ashley. Love how sticky and yummy they look. And flavors are AH-MAZING here! 🙂 Definitely trying this recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Anu! You definitely should!