Block Party - Chicken Drumsticks
Grilled Chicken is Always a Hit at a Block Party
Block party food should be simple and portable. Grilled chicken drumsticks fit the bill!
Holding a block party is a great way to get to know your neighbors better and have a lot of fun in the process. Every block party is different, but the idea is to get everyone on your block (or within a radius of several blocks) together to share food, music, games, conversation, and more food!
Some block parties are set up so that each household offers their own culinary offerings, from fresh lemonade to a main dish to dessert. Others create a potluck setup, where everyone pools their tables, grills, and coolers to create a central area for food and drink. I actually prefer this communal setting, as it allows for more mingling and conversation.
Block party food is generally simple fare. Whether or not you decide on a theme for your block party, the food should have wide appeal and be simple to eat from a paper plate. Sandwiches, salads, grilled and sliced meats, fajitas, and burgers are all perfect block party offerings. Desserts should be of the finger food variety where possible, like cookies and squares. Make sure there are plenty of refreshing, non-alcoholic drinks available, especially if the weather is very warm.
Chicken drumsticks cooked on a grill are delicious, easy to prepare, and inexpensive compared to other cuts of poultry and meat. If you're planning to make enough to feed everyone at the party, place an order with your local butcher well in advance of the party date to ensure that you'll have enough chicken on hand.
To make grilled chicken drumsticks, you'll need to first prepare your marinade (if you're using one) and let the chicken marinate for at least several hours or overnight. Reserve some of the marinade before adding the chicken - you'll be using this reserved sauce to baste the chicken with while grilling. When ready to cook, preheat your barbeque and grill the drumsticks until they reach an internal temperature of at least 180 degrees Fahrenheit (about 40-50 minutes, depending on size). Turn the drumsticks often, and brush with reserved marinade as needed.
Here are two terrific marinade recipes to get you started. One is spicy while the other is light and citrus-based. Just combine the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and cover your drumsticks with the mixture. Refrigerate and marinate until ready to grill. If you're running short on time or can't be bothered with a marinade, bottled barbeque sauce makes an acceptable substitute at grill time.
Chipotle Marinade for Chicken (Makes enough for 12 drumsticks)
- 1 cup tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 4-5 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
- 4 garlic cloves (or to taste) minced
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Citrus Herb Marinade for Chicken (Makes enough for 12 drumsticks)
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh herbs of your choice
Looking for more block party recipes? Try Basic Burgers, or Potato Salad for a Crowd. For delicious drink ideas, try Iced Tea or Lemonade. Watermelon can be transformed into some yummy and simple appetizers. And how about Chocolate Chip Meringue Bars for dessert?
