What are Chicken Drumsticks?

In many places, particularly in France, you’re often surrounded by the tempting aroma of whole roasted chickens, which you can find spinning on spits in front of butcher shops. While those look scrumptious, there’s a time when we crave something simpler yet equally satisfying—a quick, family-friendly meal. And that’s where chicken drumsticks come into play!

Drumsticks are the meaty lower part of a chicken’s leg, underneath the thigh. This part is particularly tender and juicy, making it a favorite for many. In French, we call them les pilons, a term that translates to “pestle,” aptly reflecting their shape. Not to mention, they won’t break the bank!

Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks – What You’ll Need

Preparing these drumsticks is incredibly straightforward, requiring only a handful of easily accessible ingredients. We’re making our BBQ sauce from scratch, so gather the following:

• Chicken Drumsticks – Opt for large, bone-in drumsticks. You might want to trim some skin off to reduce calories, but it can be left on for extra juiciness. Count on needing about 8 drumsticks, roughly 1 kg or 2 lbs.
• Potatoes – Adding potatoes creates a more filling meal. Choose flavorful varieties like Mona Lisa, Orla, or red Desiree. Keep those skins on for added taste.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves are a must for the best flavor—skip the powder! If you love roasted garlic, you can leave the cloves whole for a mellower flavor.
• Sesame Seeds – A delightful non-dairy source of calcium that adds a nice crunch.
• Homemade BBQ Sauce – The homemade version is quick and full of flavor. Gather olive oil, tomato purée, Dijon mustard, spices, and seasoning, along with cider vinegar—French Vinaigre d’Orléans, if you can find it!

Should I Use Aluminum Foil for Cooking BBQ Chicken Drumsticks?

With various health discussions surrounding aluminum foil, it’s best to avoid it for this recipe. Cooking with aluminum can lead to some leaching into your food, especially with high heat and acidic ingredients. Therefore, as tempting as it may be for easy cleanup, you’ll find this dish works well without foil.

How to Prepare Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

First, preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan/400°F/Gas 6. The chicken will need about 45 minutes to bake, depending on their size. The trick for the best flavor is to turn them regularly in the sauce.

Lay the chicken drumsticks in a large deep roasting tin, along with your sliced potatoes. Now, let’s whip up that homemade BBQ sauce!

BBQ Sauce:

In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients together. For the garlic, be sure to peel it, remove the inner vein (much easier on the stomach!), and grate it into the mixture. Stir until well combined, then spoon it generously over the chicken and potatoes. Don’t forget to salvage every bit of sauce—I recommend adding 2-3 tablespoons of water to the bowl to rinse it out, then pour that over the chicken as well. Bake for 15 minutes.

After the first 15 minutes, it’s time to check on your chicken. Turn everything over to ensure each piece is coated in that delicious sauce, and then pop it back into the oven.

After another 15 minutes, turn the drumsticks again. Brush the remaining sauce from the bottom of the tray over the chicken, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and return to the oven for the final 15 minutes.

And voilà! After 45 minutes, the chicken will be crispy on the outside, succulent inside, and bursting with flavor. The potatoes? Just as mouthwatering and tender!

How to Serve

These chicken drumsticks pair beautifully with a variety of sides, such as sautéed green beans tossed in garlic or glazed Vichy carrots. They make for a complete meal that the whole family can enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 kg (2 lbs) chicken drumsticks (about 8 large ones)
• 8 medium red potatoes (skins washed and sliced)
• 1 sprig fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Healthy BBQ Sauce from Scratch

• 4 cloves fresh garlic (grated)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons tomato purée
• 4 tablespoons cider vinegar (preferably French)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons honey (runny)
• ½ teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper (freshly ground)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan/400°F/Gas 6. Place the chicken drumsticks into a large, deep roasting tin along with the sliced potatoes, and get ready to prepare your homemade BBQ sauce.
2. For the BBQ sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl. Peel and grate the garlic, then mix it in. Spoon the sauce generously over the chicken and potatoes. To ensure no sauce goes to waste, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the bowl, swish it around, and pour that over the chicken too. Bake for 15 minutes.
3. After 15 minutes, flip the chicken and potatoes in the pan to coat everything in the sauce. Return to the oven.
4. After another 15 minutes, turn the drumsticks again. Brush any remaining sauce from the tray over the pieces, sprinkle on the sesame seeds, and cook for another 15 minutes, or until crispy on the outside and tender inside.