Apple Whiskey Smoked Bacon Wrapped Chicken Drumsticks

These drool-worthy bacon wrapped drumsticks are the perfect game day treat, brought to you by Bear Mountain ambassador Merry Graham.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Serves: 5-6

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
• 1 ½ pounds of sliced bacon (thin-cut recommended)
• Favorite chicken rub or seasoning blend
• Jamming Glaze (ingredients below)
• Bear Mountain Smoky Apple Whiskey BBQ Pellets, available at Walmart

Ingredients for Jammy Glaze:

• 1/4 cup apricot jam (can substitute mango jam)
• 2 tablespoon sweet orange marmalade
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Prep the chicken by patting the drumsticks dry with paper towels. Using a paper towel, pull the chicken skin from the top of the drumstick towards bottom, then cut skin off with kitchen shears. If desired, remove the tips of the bones to create "lollipops" for easier handling.

2. Season the drumsticks on all sides with your chosen rub or seasoning blend.

3. Wrap each drumstick with a slice of bacon, starting at the thick end and rolling towards the thinner end. Secure the bacon with toothpicks, if needed. The larger drumsticks require 1 ½ slices of bacon.

4. Pour Bear Mountain Smoky Apple Whiskey BBQ pellets into your grill or smoker, and heat to 250°F indirect heat.

5. Place the bacon-wrapped drumsticks on the smoker rack, leaving space between them for airflow. Smoke for about 2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the thickest drumstick reaches 160°F. Remove chicken from the grill or smoker. The chicken is not done cooking at this point.

6. Increase the grill heat to 350°F. Mix the jammy glaze ingredients, and brush on all sides of chicken. Place chicken back on the grill or smoker, and cook, frequently brushing chicken with glaze. Cook drumsticks for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is over 175°F. Chicken drumsticks are tender, juicy, and delicious at 185°F.

7. Remove the drumsticks from the smoker and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a more tender bite.

Tips:

• Use room-temperature chicken for even cooking.
• For a quicker cook, increase the grill heat to 275°F and cook for 1.5 hours or heat grill to 300°F and cook chicken for 1 hour or until internal temperature of chicken reaches at least 175°F.
• Experiment with different rubs, sauces, and flavors of Bear Mountain BBQ pellets.
• Always use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches a safe 165°F. However, chicken legs soften when cooked to 185°F.