🍗🔥 Smoky Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Creamy Potato Salad & Sweet Baked Beans

A classic BBQ comfort meal featuring juicy, smoky grilled chicken drumsticks, creamy homemade potato salad, and sweet, savory baked beans. This crowd-pleasing dinner is perfect for summer cookouts, family gatherings, or an easy weekend barbecue.

⏱️ Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Marinating Time: 2–8 hours (optional, but recommended)
• Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour (plus marinating)
• Servings: 4–6

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🛒 Ingredients

🍗 Smoky Grilled Chicken

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

🍖 BBQ Glaze (Optional)

• ½ cup barbecue sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

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🥔 Creamy Potato Salad

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold or red potatoes
• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• ¼ cup finely diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

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🫘 Sweet Baked Beans

• 2 cans (15 ounces each) baked beans
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ small onion, finely diced

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken

1. Pat the drumsticks dry.
2. Mix olive oil with all the seasonings.
3. Coat the chicken evenly and refrigerate for 2–8 hours, if time allows.

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2. Prepare the Potato Salad

1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes.
2. Cool slightly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
4. Fold in potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, and herbs.
5. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

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3. Make the Baked Beans

1. Combine baked beans, bacon, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and onion in a saucepan or baking dish.
2. Simmer on the stovetop for 15–20 minutes, or bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

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4. Grill the Chicken

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat (375–400°F / 190–205°C).
2. Grill drumsticks for 30–35 minutes, turning every 5–7 minutes.
3. During the last 5 minutes, brush with the BBQ glaze if using.
4. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

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🍽️ To Serve

Arrange each plate with:

• 🍗 Smoky grilled chicken drumsticks
• 🥔 Creamy potato salad
• 🫘 Sweet baked beans

Optional garnishes:

• 🌿 Chopped parsley
• 🍋 Lemon wedges
• 🥒 Pickles
• 🌽 Grilled corn on the cob

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💡 Tips & Variations

• Grill over indirect heat first, then finish over direct heat for crisp, lightly charred skin.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy.
• Add a pinch of cayenne to the seasoning blend for extra heat.
• Mix chopped dill pickles or sweet pickle relish into the potato salad for extra tang.
• Stir diced jalapeños into the baked beans for a spicy kick.

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🧊 Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months.
• Reheat chicken in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through for the best texture.

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🍴 Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 760
• Protein: 42 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fat: 44 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 950 mg

This Smoky Grilled Chicken Drumsticks meal is everything you love about a backyard barbecue—tender, smoky chicken paired with creamy potato salad and sweet baked beans for the ultimate comfort-food feast. 🍗🔥🌞