Cajun Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
Cajun Grilled chicken drumsticks butterflied for crispy skin, grilled over two zones, then finished with a Cajun honey butter glaze.
Equipment
- Pellet Grill or Smoker
- Charcoal or gas grill (optional alternative)
- Sharp knife
- Instant-Read Thermometer
- Small Saucepan
- Basting Brush
Ingredients
Chicken
- 8 chicken drumsticks butterflied
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2-3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning your favorite blend
- fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Cajun Honey Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
Butterfly and Season Drumsticks
- Use a small paring knife to carefully cut alongside the bone and open the meat outward. Pat the drumsticks thoroughly dry with paper towels and lightly coat them with avocado oil and Cajun seasoning across the skin and exposed meat.
Air Chill for 30 Minutes
- Once seasoned, place the drumsticks uncovered in the refrigerator for 30 minutes while you fire up the grill.
Start Over Direct Heat
- Start cooking the seasoned drumsticks over direct heat to develop color and char on the exposed meat and skin, turning and repositioning drumsticks as needed.
Move to Indirect Heat
- Once the drumsticks develop the color you want, move them to the indirect side and maintain the grill at 275-300°F. Continue cooking until the thickest part of the drumsticks reaches 185-195°F, chicken beside the bone without touching it.
Make Cajun Butter Sauce
- While the drumsticks are still on the grill, combine unsalted butter, honey, Cajun seasoning and minced garlic in a grill-safe pan and place it directly on the grill, whisking gently until the sauce is smooth.
Glaze, Finish & Rest
- Brush Cajun honey butter on the drumsticks during the final few minutes of grilling. Transfer to a platter, brush with some more Cajun honey butter sauce and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Butterfly every drumstick and apply the glaze in several thin coats instead of one heavy layer.
- Keep flipping the drumsticks on the grill after you've sauced them. Honey can burn quickly.
- Allow the sauced drumsticks to rest for 5 minutes so the juices can redistribute before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 14gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 85mgPotassium: 243mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1719IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
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