Easy Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
You will find a wonderful weeknight dinner option in these easy baked bbq chicken drumsticks. The homemade tangy, paleo bbq sauce makes for both a fabulous marinade and dipping sauce. These drumsticks are healthy, juicy, and delicious!
Servings 4
Calories 472kcal
Ingredients
BBQ Sauce
- 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 1/2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 3 1/2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
Chicken Drumsticks
- 2 pounds organic chicken drumsticks pat dry
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup barbecue sauce divided
Instructions
BBQ Sauce
- In a medium saucepan over medium low heat, add all of the sauce ingredients except for the liquid smoke. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for roughly 5-7 minutes, letting all of the flavors meld together and stirring occasionally.
- Carefully transfer the barbecue sauce to a blender pitcher. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy throughout. Transfer to a glass jar, leaving the lid off so it begins to cool. Stir in the liquid smoke.
Chicken Drumsticks
- Marinate chicken: Pat dry the chicken drumsticks with a paper towel and sprinkle generously on both sides with kosher salt. Using a silicon brush, brush the chicken drumsticks with 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce. Set aside the rest.
- Cover, and set in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes or as long as overnight.
- Sear chicken: Set the broiler to high heat with a rack positioned a few inches below it. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a metal cooling rack inside of it. Arrange the marinated chicken on the rack with space between each drumstick.
- Slide the pan under the broiler, and broil chicken until you begin to see brown charred spots, about 6 minutes. Flip the chicken, and sear the other side until it is browned, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Turn the oven to temperature down to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and move the rack into the middle of the oven.
- Finish cooking chicken: Brush chicken all over with another 1/2 cup (but leave behind 1 tablespoon) of the sauce. Slide into the oven and bake about 15 minutes. Flip the chicken, and brush with the remaining tablespoon of sauce anywhere it's bare.
- Continue baking until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F, approximately another 15 to 20 minutes.
- Serve hot with leftover barbecue sauce. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 1792mg | Potassium: 875mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 47g | Calcium: 60mg