These grilled chicken drumsticks in Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce were tender, juicy and very flavorful. Definitely could pick up some of the soda flavors without overpowering the meat. This recipe is the perfect summer bbq dish. The sweet and savory notes will be enjoyed by both adults as well as kids.

Step 1: Prepare the chicken drumsticks

For this recipe I went with chicken drumsticks. They are easy to cook, easy to handle and delicious to eat. However, this recipe can be made with any part of the chicken from the wings, bone-in thighs, breast or whole chicken. Another great option is to do lollipop chicken drumsticks which are always show stoppers at parties and fun to eat.

Whatever your preferred cut of chicken, this recipe is the perfect summer bbq meal.

Start by cleaning up your chicken drumsticks and cutting off any lose pieces without removing the skin. Next, pull the skin over the meat and drizzle with some olive oil and season generously with Dad’s All Purpose rub.

Dad’s Seasonings

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Step 2: How to make Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce.

Homemade BBQ sauce is the way to go. You can always adapt the tanginess, spiciness or sweetness to your liking. This Dr. Pepper bbq sauce had a little bit of all the above. It might be my new favorite BBQ sauce. You can definitely taste the various flavor profiles of a Dr. Pepper but it’s not overpowering for those that are not fans of the drink. It’s the perfect flavor compliment to the savory chicken. Ingredients are simple and sauce is easy to make.

In a sauce pan, add 1 can of Dr. Pepper soda, ketchup, yellow mustard, molasses, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and Dad’s Sweet BBQ rub. Mix it all together simmering over low heat until the sauce thickens.

Step 3: How to perfectly grill chicken drumsticks in Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce.

Preheat the grill to 375 degrees and set for indirect heat. Place the chicken on the indirect side first for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat is 175 degrees.

Next, place the drumsticks on the direct side to get a nice char on the skin. Flip every 30 seconds until you build a good char on the skin.

Move the grilled drumsticks to a bowl and let them rest for 5 minutes.

Next, pour the home dr. pepper bbq sauce over the chicken and mix to get an even coat throughout. Enjoy!

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Chicken Drumsticks in Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce

These grilled chicken drumsticks in Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce were tender, sweet, savory. Best of all enjoyed by both adults and kids.

Course Main Course, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword 30 minute bbq ribs, fast and easy ribs, grilled ribs, bbq ribs, how to grill bbq ribs, baby back ribs, chicken drumsticks in dr. pepper bbq sauce, grilled drumsticks, grilled chicken, dr. pepper sauce, dr. pepper bbq sauce recipe, homemade bbq sauce recipe, chicken drumsticks in sauce, chicken lollipops, grilled chicken lollipops, d. pepper sauce recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4 People

Ingredients

• 12 Chicken drumsticks
• 3 tbsp Dad's all purpose seasoning
• tbso Olive Oil

Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce Ingredients

• 1 can Dr. Pepper soda
• 1/2 cup Ketchup
• 1/4 cup Yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup Molasses
• 2 tbsp Red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp Dad's Sweet BBQ rub

Instructions

• Start by cleaning up your chicken drumsticks and cutting off any loose pieces without removing the skin.
• Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with Dad's All Purpose rub.
• Preheat the grill to 375 degrees and set for dual zone grilling.
• Place the chicken on the indirect side first for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat is 175 degrees.
• Dr. Pepper sauce: in a sauce pan, add a can of Dr. Pepper soda, ketchup, yellow mustard, molasses, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and Dad's Sweet BBQ rub. Mix it all together simmering over low heat until the sauce thickens.
• Once the chicken drumsticks reach the correct temperature, move them to the direct side to get a nice char on the skin. Flip every 30 seconds until you build a good char on the skin.
• Move the grilled drumsticks to a bowl and let them rest for 5 minutes.
• Next, pour the home dr. pepper bbq sauce over the chicken and mix to get an even coat throughout. Enjoy!

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