Easy BBQ Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks: Step-by-Step Grilling Guide

Easy BBQ Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks: Step-by-Step Grilling Guide

Hey everyone! I’m Miguel from Chavez DIY, where I love helping folks tackle DIY projects, home repairs, car fixes, and—of course—delicious food and grilling. If you’re into learning new skills or just want to solve a problem around the house, check out my YouTube channel, Chavez DIY for more tutorials and how-tos. Let’s learn something or solve a problem together!

Today, I’m showing you how to make mouthwatering BBQ chicken thighs and drumsticks right on your grill. This recipe is super simple, packed with flavor, and perfect for family dinners, backyard parties, or whenever you’re craving some good barbecue chicken.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Chicken thighs and drumsticks

  • Your favorite barbecue sauce (I love a sweet and tangy style)

  • Corn oil (or any neutral oil)

  • Brown sugar bourbon seasoning (or your go-to BBQ rub)

How to Prep BBQ Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks

1. Inject Flavor Under the Skin

Start by opening up your packages of chicken. Here’s a little trick for extra juicy chicken: use a meat injector (without the needle) to squirt barbecue sauce right under the skin of each drumstick and thigh. Just use your thumb to make a pocket under the skin, fill it with sauce, and close it back up. This gets that sweet, smoky flavor all the way inside.

2. Season the Chicken

Drizzle a little corn oil over your chicken pieces, then sprinkle on a generous amount of brown sugar bourbon seasoning. Flip the chicken and repeat on the other side. Don’t forget to season those drumsticks too!

Setting Up Your Grill for BBQ Chicken

3. Prep Your Charcoal

Get your charcoal ready using a chimney starter. If you’re reusing old coals, knock off any ash and clean out the grill. Oil the grill grate so nothing sticks, open up all the vents, and put the lid back on.

4. Heat to 350°F

Once your grill hits about 350°F, it’s time to add the chicken. Use the two-zone method: place the chicken on the side of the grill opposite the hot coals. This way, you get even cooking without burning the outside.

Grilling and Saucing Your Chicken

5. Cook Low and Slow

Close the lid and set a timer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, brush on a good layer of barbecue sauce, flip the chicken, and sauce the other side.

6. Repeat for Flavor

About 20 minutes later, check the internal temperature (you’re aiming for 170–180°F). Add another coat of sauce for extra flavor, then let the chicken cook for another 10 minutes.

7. Final Check

After that last 10 minutes, your chicken should be juicy and perfectly cooked. I like my thighs and drumsticks up around 199°F for that fall-off-the-bone goodness.

Pro Tips

  • For picky eaters: If anyone in your family doesn’t like BBQ sauce, grill a few plain drumsticks—just season them and skip the sauce.

  • Juicy chicken: Injecting sauce under the skin makes every bite flavorful and moist.

  • Double sauce: Two coats of BBQ sauce means extra sticky, delicious chicken.

Time to Eat!

Once your chicken is done, let it rest for a few minutes, then dig in! You’ll see those juices running and the meat will be super tender. Don’t forget to add a little more sauce if you like it extra sticky.

If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below. You’ll find more info and tips in the video description. Thanks for grilling with me, and don’t forget to subscribe to Chavez DIY on YouTube for more DIY projects, repair guides, and tasty recipes. Let’s keep learning and cooking together!