Bourbon-Brined and Smoked Kick’N Chicken® Drumsticks
Prep Time
16 hoursCook Time
45 minutesTotal Time
17 hours
Ingredients
- For the Drumsticks
- 12–18 chicken drumsticks, trimmed
- 1 gallon water
- 1 cup finely ground salt
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 1 cup bourbon
- Olive oil
- 2–3 tbsp Weber® Kick’N Chicken® Seasoning, divided
- Honey, for drizzling
- 2 serrano peppers, seeded and finely sliced
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- For the Kicked Up Ranch Sauce
- 1 cup buttermilk ranch dressing (homemade or premade)
- 2 tbsp Weber® Kick’N Chicken® Seasoning
- 2 tbsp cilantro leaves, chopped
Recipe Courtesy of David Olson, Live Fire Republic
This bold and flavorful recipe by David Olson of Live Fire Republic features tender, bourbon-brined drumsticks smoked to perfection with Weber® Kick’N Chicken® Seasoning, finished with honey and serrano peppers for a sweet and spicy kick.
Directions
- Brine the chicken: In a 6–8 quart container, dissolve salt and sugar in warm water. Stir in bourbon and allow the brine to cool completely. Submerge the chicken drumsticks in the brine and refrigerate overnight.
- Dry and prep the chicken: Remove chicken from the brine, rinse with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a cooling rack. Refrigerate uncovered for 2–4 hours to dry and tighten the skin.
- Preheat smoker: 30 minutes before cooking, preheat the smoker (or indirectly-heated grill) to 375°F. Remove chicken from the refrigerator and bring it closer to room temperature.
- Season and smoke: Brush the chicken drumsticks with olive oil and generously season with Weber® Kick’N Chicken® Seasoning. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle sliced serrano peppers over the drumsticks.
- Place the chicken in the smoker (or on the grill’s indirect heat grates), close the lid, and roast until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the drumstick reaches 160°F.
- Rest and serve: Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5–7 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with Kicked Up Ranch Sauce.
- Kicked Up Ranch Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk ranch dressing, Weber® Kick’N Chicken® Seasoning, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
