With crispy skin, tender meat, and a warm, sweet glaze, my Spiced Citrus Chicken on the grill is perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Made with my Double Smoked Ham Kit, you won’t believe the flavor bursting from these juicy drumsticks.

Spiced Citrus Chicken

If you’re ready to experience an explosion of warm, spiced flavor, then it’s time to try my Spiced Citrus Chicken. This dish combines the smoky char you can only get on the grill, with a perfect balance of sweet and savory notes. The crispy, caramelized exterior contains juicy, tender meat that’s loaded with warm spices and bright citrus. It’s an easy weeknight meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

The beauty of this recipe is that while it’s easy, the flavors make it perfect for any event. While it’s simple enough for a regular family dinner, the combination of warm spices and zesty citrus make it a standout for special occasions or holiday gatherings. The combination of my Zesty Gold BBQ Sauce, Sugar & Spice Rub, and Spiced Citrus BBQ Glaze creates layers of flavor that will have your guests asking for the recipe.

The Best Chicken for Grilling

For this recipe, I’m using drumsticks. They’re perfect for grilling because they cook evenly and stay juicy, plus they’re just fun to eat. However, this recipe is incredibly versatile. You can use it with any chicken cut you prefer, including thighs, wings, or even a whole spatchcocked chicken. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the cut you choose. Always cook to the proper internal temperature for the best results.

Ingredients for Spiced Citrus Chicken

My Double Smoked Ham Kit isn’t just for ham anymore. As I’ve discovered with my Spiced Citrus Salmon as well as Spiced Citrus Spare Ribs, these flavors work wonders on all sorts of proteins. Here’s what you’ll need:

The Zesty Gold slather acts as a binder, helping the Sugar & Spice Rub stick to the chicken while adding a subtle hint tanginess. The rub brings a perfect blend of sweetness and warm spices, while the salt balances out the sweet and enhances the overall flavor. Finally, the Citrus Glaze adds a bright, zesty finish that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.

How Long to Grill Chicken

This recipe utilizes two-zone grilling, which means setting up your grill with a direct heat zone and an indirect heat zone. We’ll cook the chicken in two stages, and you can check out my post How to Cook with Two-Zone Grilling if you need a refresher course. I did this with lump charcoal, which added some serious smoky flavor, but you can also do this on a gas grill with great results.

In the first phase, you’ll place your slathered and seasoned drumsticks over indirect heat for about 45 minutes. This allows the chicken to cook slowly and evenly, absorbing all those delicious flavors. During this stage, you want to turn your chicken every so often to avoid burning.

The second phase is where your grill works its magic on the skin. You’ll glaze your chicken and move it over direct heat for 5-10 minutes to develop that perfect crispy, caramelized exterior. Remember, cooking times are just guidelines. The most important factor is cooking to the right internal temperature, so you should always use a reliable meat thermometer (like my trusty Thermapen ONE).

How to Make Spiced Citrus Chicken on the Grill

If you’re ready to create some mouthwatering chicken, then fire up the grill and let’s get cooking. Follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying tender, flavorful chicken in no time:

Storage and Reheating

This chicken is awesome the next day, assuming there’s anything left of it (which is unlikely). Simply store them in an airtight container and place  in your fridge. Your drumsticks will stay fresh for up to 4 days stored this way.

To reheat, I recommend using your grill or oven. Set it to a low-medium heat (around 300 degrees F) and warm the chicken until it warms to temperature all the way through. Reheating your chicken this way helps maintain the crispy skin and juicy interior.

More Grilled Chicken Recipes

If this Spiced Citrus Chicken has you craving more grilled poultry goodness, then you came to the right place. Check out these other delicious chicken recipes you can make at home on the grill, all available in the Hey Grill Hey app:

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Grilled Chicken Margherita

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Grilled Chicken Thighs

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Grilled Chicken Parmesan

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Grilled Chicken Tenders with Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Easy Spiced Citrus Chicken Recipe

I hope you enjoy making this Spiced Citrus Chicken as much as my family does. If you had a good time making it, consider giving the recipe a 5-star rating. And remember, your feedback helps me with future recipes, so tell me about your experience in the comments.

Don’t forget to share your Spiced Citrus Chicken creations with me by tagging @heygrillhey on Instagram and Facebook. And for more grilling tips and tricks, subscribe to my YouTube channel.