These grilled chicken drumsticks are seasoned with paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic and cayenne, then cooked on the barbecue until smoky and golden. On the side, fresh pineapple is coated with chili, brown sugar and paprika before hitting the grill, where the fruit caramelizes and becomes a sweet-and-spicy match for the chicken.

Why You’ll Love These Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Sweet, spicy and smoky.: Brown sugar and chili give the pineapple sweetness and heat, while the grill adds smokiness to both the fruit and chicken.
The pineapple gets caramelized on the grill.: Fresh pineapple only needs a couple of minutes on the barbecue to become caramelized and juicy.
They’re easy to prep.: The chicken is coated in a simple blend of paprika, oregano, garlic, thyme and cayenne, with no lengthy marinade required.

Grilled Cajun chicken drumsticks with spicy pineapple and cilantro

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks With Spicy Pineapple

Cajun-spiced chicken drumsticks grilled and served with sweet-and-spicy caramelized pineapple and fresh cilantro.

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Ingredients

1 pineapple
1 red chili pepper seeded and chopped
2 tbsp packed cane sugar or brown sugar divided
2 tsp paprika divided
12 chicken drumsticks
2 tsp coarse sea salt
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ cup olive oil divided
¼ cup cilantro leaves

Instructions

Heat barbecue to medium. Peel and halve pineapple into six ½-inch-thick slices. Place chili pepper, 5 tsp of the sugar and 1 tsp of the paprika in mortar and pestle; grind until fine. Sprinkle over and press on pineapple slices and let marinate for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, place chicken in a large resealable bag. Finely grind remaining 1 tsp sugar, salt, oregano, garlic, thyme and cayenne in mortar and pestle. Sprinkle mixture over chicken; seal bag and massage onto drumsticks. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Remove drumsticks to a baking sheet and brush with all but 2 tsp of the oil. Grill chicken, covered on a greased grill, flipping every 8 minutes, until juices run clear when thickest part is pierced, about 20 minutes.
Brush pineapple with remaining 2 tsp oil. Grill until caramelized, about 2 minutes. Serve drumsticks with pineapple and torn cilantro.

Keyword Cajun grilled chicken, grilled chicken drumsticks, Grilled Pineapple, spicy chicken drumsticks