Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Bang Bang Sauce

Smoky, crispy, and coated in a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce, these Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks are the perfect mix of heat and flavor. They’re grilled until charred, then smoked low and slow for extra depth. If you’ve ever wondered how to butterfly chicken drumsticks for better flavor and texture, this recipe walks you through it. It’s perfect for cookouts, game days, or a weeknight dinner that feels like a weekend feast.

How do you butterfly chicken drumsticks?

To butterfly chicken drumsticks, you carefully slice the meat along the bone and spread it flat. This not only helps the chicken cook more evenly but also allows more surface area for seasoning and that delicious smoky char. It also speeds up cooking time and gives you crispier edges — a win-win.

Why grill first, then smoke?

Grilling the drumsticks over high heat first gives you a beautiful char and locks in juices. Smoking them afterward allows the meat to slowly absorb the flavor of the wood. This two-step cooking method delivers crispy skin, juicy meat, and rich BBQ flavor in every bite.

What makes Bang Bang sauce so good on grilled chicken?

Bang Bang sauce is creamy, spicy, sweet, and tangy. The mayo base gives it a rich texture, while chili sauce and hot sauce add heat. Garlic and lemon bring brightness, and honey rounds it all out. When brushed onto hot grilled chicken, it melts into the surface for sticky, bold flavor.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2.5–3 lbs chicken drumsticks, butterflied
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard (for binding)
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp Tony’s Creole seasoning

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
• 2 tbsp hot sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tbsp honey

For Finishing:

• Canola oil spray (for grill grates)
• Chopped chives or green onions (optional garnish)
• Wood chunks for smoking (hickory or cherry recommended)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Use a sharp knife to butterfly each drumstick. Do this by cutting along the bone and spreading the meat outward so it lays flatter. This helps the drumsticks cook faster and more evenly. Once all drumsticks are butterflied, pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Rub a thin layer of yellow mustard over each drumstick to help the seasoning stick. In a bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Coat each piece of chicken evenly with the spice blend. Let the seasoned drumsticks rest for 15–20 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, and honey. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Set the sauce aside or refrigerate while grilling the chicken. The flavors will intensify as it rests.

Step 3: Grill the Chicken

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400–450°F). Lightly oil the grates with canola oil spray. Place the drumsticks skin-side down over direct heat and grill for 2–3 minutes per side, just until nicely charred. Don’t cook them all the way through — you’re just building flavor and color.

Step 4: Smoke the Chicken

After grilling, move the drumsticks to the indirect heat side of the grill. Add wood chunks to the hot coals or smoker box. Close the lid and smoke at 250–275°F for 35–45 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 175°F. The longer, lower heat helps the chicken absorb smoke while staying juicy.

Step 5: Glaze and Finish

When the chicken is nearly done, brush each piece with Bang Bang sauce and let it cook for another 5 minutes to set the glaze. You can also toss the drumsticks in the sauce right after removing them from the grill, depending on your preferred coating level.

Step 6: Serve

Plate the chicken hot and drizzle with extra Bang Bang sauce. Garnish with chopped chives or green onions if desired. Serve with sides like grilled corn, potato salad, or a simple green salad.

Below is a printable recipe card! 

Nutrition (Estimated per Serving)

• Calories: 410
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 680mg

Final Thoughts

These Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Bang Bang Sauce are full of flavor, easy to make, and a great way to change things up from your usual BBQ. By grilling the chicken first and then smoking it, you get that nice char on the outside and juicy meat inside. The bang bang sauce adds a sweet, spicy, and creamy finish that makes the whole dish pop.

If you’ve never grilled or smoked chicken like this before, don’t worry , it’s simple once you get started. This recipe is great for parties, cookouts, or even just a fun weekend dinner. Give it a try, and you’ll see how much flavor you can get from just a few steps.

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If you liked this one, I’ve got more recipes you’ll enjoy. From smoked salmon to loaded nachos and burgers, everything is made to be simple, flavorful, and great for the grill.

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Items Used In This Recipe

Hasty Bake Charcoal Grill and Smoker

Knitted Gloves

Food Processor

Cast Iron Skillet 

Meater +

Charcoal Chimney