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Grilled Chicken Drumsticks | Juicy, Crispy & Flavorful

These juicy grilled chicken drumsticks are marinated in yogurt, lemon, garlic, and warm spices, then grilled until beautifully browned and tender. They're an easy, flavorful dinner for weeknights, summer cookouts, and backyard BBQs.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Marinating Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 5
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 260
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 10 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic or garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro or parsley chopped
For Serving
  • Lemon wedges
  • Sliced onion
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley
  • Green chilies optional
  • Yogurt or garlic dipping sauce

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.
  2. Make 2–3 shallow cuts in the thickest part of each drumstick to help the marinade penetrate.
  3. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, yogurt, garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, salt, oregano, onion powder, and cayenne.
  4. Add the drumsticks and toss until thoroughly coated.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 4–8 hours for deeper flavor.
  6. Preheat the grill to approximately 375–400°F and lightly oil the grates.
  7. Place the drumsticks on the grill over direct heat.
  8. Grill for about 5–7 minutes per side, turning regularly to brown evenly.
  9. If the chicken is browning too quickly, move it to indirect heat and continue cooking until done.
  10. Cook until the thickest part of the chicken reaches at least 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
  11. For especially tender dark meat, the drumsticks can be cooked to approximately 175–185°F.
  12. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and rest for about 5 minutes.
  13. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley and serve with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Don't place the drumsticks over extremely high heat because the fat can cause flare-ups.
Turn the chicken regularly for even browning.
Use a two-zone grill if possible so you can move the chicken to indirect heat when needed.
Always check the internal temperature rather than relying only on color.
For the juiciest results, allow the chicken to rest before serving.
Marinating for several hours gives the spices more time to flavor the chicken.