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Crispy BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Drumsticks

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A quick and easy game day favorite featuring juicy chicken drumsticks wrapped in crispy bacon and glazed with a homemade BBQ sauce for a smoky, sweet, and crispy flavor combination.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 chicken drumsticks, skin on
  • 8 thick-cut bacon strips
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (smoky, slightly spicy preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
  2. Pat chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels and place in a mixing bowl.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over drumsticks. Sprinkle garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
  4. Wrap each drumstick tightly with one slice of bacon, starting just below the skin and spiraling down. Tuck the end under the drumstick to secure it. Trim bacon if too long.
  5. Place wrapped drumsticks on the wire rack, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  6. In a small bowl, mix BBQ sauce with brown sugar until sugar dissolves.
  7. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until bacon starts crisping and chicken juices bubble.
  8. Brush drumsticks generously with BBQ glaze. Bake another 10-15 minutes, basting once halfway through. Tent with foil if bacon edges brown too fast.
  9. Check that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Bacon should be crispy and glaze sticky.
  10. Rest drumsticks for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use thick-cut bacon for best texture; turkey bacon can be used for a leaner option but crisps differently. Dry drumsticks well before wrapping to ensure crispiness. If bacon isn’t crisping enough, finish under broiler for 1-2 minutes watching carefully. Can bake directly on foil-lined sheet if no wire rack is available, flipping halfway through. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days and freeze up to 2 months. Reheat in oven to maintain crispiness; avoid microwaving.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ chicken, bacon-wrapped chicken, game day recipe, crispy chicken drumsticks, easy chicken recipe, smoky chicken, homemade BBQ sauce

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/crispy-bbq-bacon-wrapped-chicken-drumsticks-recipe-easy-homemade-game-day-favorite/