Sugar-Free BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Smoky, tangy, and irresistibly flavorful, these Sugar-Free BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are the perfect guilt-free addition to your dinner table or summer cookout! Coated in a rich homemade BBQ sauce crafted from tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of liquid smoke, these drumsticks pack all the bold barbecue flavor with none of the added sugar. A quick spice rub featuring paprika, garlic powder, and cumin ensures every bite is bursting with seasoning. Oven-baked to crispy perfection and finished with a caramelized glaze, they’re as juicy as they are satisfying. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is ideal for health-conscious eaters or anyone craving a wholesome BBQ fix without the sugar crash. Serve these drumsticks hot with extra sauce for dipping—perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or any occasion where comfort food meets clean eating!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 pieces Chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon Chili powder
- 0.5 cup Tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke
- 0.5 cup Water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large bowl, combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and chili powder to create a spice rub.
Toss the chicken drumsticks in the spice rub until evenly coated.
Arrange the drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, and water. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened.
Brush a generous amount of the sugar-free BBQ sauce over the chicken drumsticks.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the drumsticks from the oven and brush with another layer of BBQ sauce.
Return the drumsticks to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
For a bit of a char, broil the drumsticks for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Serve the BBQ chicken drumsticks hot, with any remaining sauce on the side if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1792 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 102.9 g | 132% | |
| Saturated Fat | 25.4 g | 127% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 744 mg | 248% | |
| Sodium | 3252 mg | 141% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.9 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.8 g | 28% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.1 g | ||
| Protein | 184.7 g | 369% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 197 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 14.1 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 3408 mg | 73% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
