Delicious and Healthy Chicken Drumstick Recipes

Chicken drumsticks are a versatile and affordable source of protein that can be prepared in a variety of ways. This article explores several healthy and delicious chicken drumstick recipes, from oven-baked and air-fried to slow-cooked and marinated options. These recipes cater to different tastes and dietary needs, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Baking chicken drumsticks is a simple and healthy way to cook chicken, resulting in tender, juicy meat without the need for added fats. Baking cooks more evenly through a dish while broiling creates more of a crust or char on the surface, much in the same way as grilling.

Simple Baked Chicken Drumsticks

This everyday recipe for baked chicken drumsticks is easy and delicious. Simply coat the drumsticks with olive oil and spices, then let the oven do all the work. To make these simple baked chicken drumsticks, you will mix olive oil with spices like garlic powder and smoked paprika, coat the drumsticks, and place them in the oven.

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks (about 4 ounces each)
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with high-heat-resistant parchment paper and arrange the drumsticks in a single layer on the baking sheet.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
3. Using a pastry brush or your hands, coat the chicken pieces with the seasoning paste.
4. Bake the drumsticks uncovered for about 40 minutes, until they are cooked through and their internal temperature, measured with an instant-read thermometer not touching a bone, reaches a minimum of 165°F (74°C). Check the drumsticks after the first 30 minutes.
5. Baste the drumsticks with the pan juices using a clean pastry brush.
6. Serve immediately.

The cayenne greatly improves the flavor of this dish, adding a hint of spice without overwhelming the chicken. But if you're not a fan of spicy foods, use just ⅛ teaspoon (a pinch).

Seasoned Crispy Chicken Drumsticks

These seasoned crispy chicken drumsticks are incredibly easy to make. They’re not only tasty but incredibly easy to make. All you need to do is pat the drumsticks dry, toss with olive oil and all the seasonings, and pop ‘em in the oven to bake for a bit.

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Ingredients:

• 3 packs pasture-raised chicken drumsticks, or about 13-15 drumsticks
• 3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 420 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Pat all of the drumsticks dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, then add to a large bowl. Once all drumsticks are in a bowl, make sure the skin of the chicken is covering the drumstick, not folded.
3. Toss with olive oil, then add your seasonings and mix until fully coated.
4. Prepare a baking sheet and rack by spraying with oil (with the rack stacked on top of the baking sheet, to allow enough air to circulate around the drumsticks while cooking).
5. Add each drumstick to the pan, then bake for 35 minutes.
6. Remove and flip before baking for the remaining 15 minutes. They’re done once they’re golden and crispy.
7. Enjoy!

One reason your chicken drumsticks may not be crispy after baking in the oven is the temperature was too low. To achieve crispy chicken skin, it’s best to bake the chicken at a higher temperature, as I do here for these Seasoned Crispy Chicken Drumsticks - baking at 420. Generally, depending on the recipe and size of the chicken, you’ll want to bake them anywhere between 375 to 425. For starters, it’s important to cook them at the right temperature as overcooking is a surefire way to dry them out. Another important step that sometimes gets overlooked is allowing the drumsticks a few minutes to rest after removing from the oven. Also, don’t be shy with the seasoning.

Herb-Baked Chicken with Potatoes and Apples

Juicy, crispy baked chicken legs, flavored with aromatic herbs and spices, are nestled on a baking sheet in a bed of sweet potatoes, red onions, and warm fruity apples.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
• 3 sweet potatoes
• 2 large sweet Honeycrisp apples
• 2 medium red onions
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Fresh rosemary
• Sage

Instructions:

1. Arrange a rack in the center of your oven, and preheat to 425 °F/ 220 °C.
2. Take a large rimmed baking sheet pan and cover it with parchment paper, set aside. You can also coat it with olive oil instead.
3. Thoroughly pat-dry the chicken drumsticks with paper towels. Get the chicken as dry as possible, as it will help with browning.
4. Spread the chicken drumsticks evenly on the baking sheet and season on both sides with salt (about ½ teaspoon).
5. Arrange the sweet potatoes, apples, and onions evenly in between the chicken drumsticks.
6. Season the vegetables with the rest of the salt (½ teaspoon), and then everything royally with freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and sage.
7. Tuck in fresh Rosemary leaves evenly across the sheet pan, and cover everything with olive oil. You might need two extra tablespoons, if desired, to cover all the edges.
8. Place in the oven for 30 minutes.

Cutting the apples and onions: Cut them roughly and into larger pieces to cook evenly with the chicken drumsticks. Don't skimp on olive oil: It ensures all the spices marinate together, and you'll get a deliciously well-flavored aromatic dish. This healthy chicken drumstick recipe turns out best when you use higher temperatures. Bake for about 40-45 minutes in a 425 °F/ 220 °C preheated oven to get that little crisp and browned chicken skin and brown caramelized potato edges.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Air frying is a convenient and quick method to cook chicken drumsticks, resulting in crispy skin and juicy meat.

Simple Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

This air fryer chicken drumstick recipe uses a simple seasoning blend to yield the crispiest skin and juicy meat.

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Ingredients:

• Chicken drumsticks
• Oil
• Baking powder
• Smoked paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
2. In a small bowl, add the baking powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar, and mix well.
3. Pat dry the chicken drumsticks.
4. Toss the drumsticks through the spice mix then drizzle the oil all over.
5. Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for a further 6-8 minutes, or until cooked and crispy.
6. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Sheet Pan Chicken Drumstick Dinner

This easy sheet pan chicken drumstick dinner is packed with flavor and makes for a complete meal with protein, veggies, and carbs.

Ingredients:

• Chicken drumsticks
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Onion
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Spices

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare a parchment lined baking sheet.
2. Cut potatoes in 1 inch cubes. Peel and cut each carrot into 4 pieces. Peel the onion and slice it in half, cutting in large half circles.
3. Pat drumsticks dry with a paper towel.
4. Place drumsticks on a lined cookie sheet, spreading them apart so there is space in between them.
5. Take chopped potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic and place them in between the drumsticks on your cookie sheet.
6. Pour olive oil evenly across the chicken and potatoes, then sprinkle with spices.
7. Mix the oil and seasoning with a pair of tongs or your hands so that all pieces are evenly coated
8. Place the sheet pan in the middle rack of your oven and cook at 400 degrees for 1 hour.
9. If you want to get some extra crispiness on the tops of your drumsticks and vegetables, turn your oven to the broil setting and broil for 3-5 minutes once finished cooking.

Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Using a slow cooker is a simple way to achieve fall-off-the-bone meat with minimal effort.

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

These crockpot drumsticks just use a simple spice rub and some BBQ sauce (use your favorite brand), and then the crockpot does the rest of the work - no extra liquid required! The slow cooker does wonders at producing the most flavorful and tender drumsticks, and an optional quick broil at the end gives that crispy, caramelized skin we all love.

Ingredients:

• Chicken drumsticks
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Mix together the paprika, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl.
2. Place the chicken drumsticks in a 6-quart slow cooker.
3. Sprinkle with the spice mixture and toss to coat.
4. Pour over ½ cups of of the bbq sauce and smooth to cover the tops of the chicken legs.
5. Cover and cook on high for 2-4 hours or low for 4-6, or until the chicken is cooked through and very tender.
6. Carefully remove to a foil lined broiler safe pan. Discard the remaining cooking liquid, or strain and reserve for another use.
7. Brush all sides of the chicken legs with remaining 1 cup of the bbq sauce, then broil on high for 2-4 minutes, flip, then broil an additional 2 minutes or until just starting to crisp, watching it carefully to avoid burning.

Thai Chicken Drumsticks

These Thai chicken drumsticks are baked in the oven for a healthy, protein-rich dinner main.

Ingredients:

• Chicken drumsticks
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Lime juice and zest
• Tamari (or soy sauce)
• Fish sauce
• Honey
• Sesame oil
• Chili

Instructions:

1. Combine the marinade ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Add the drumsticks and coat well using your hands.
3. Transfer the chicken and the marinade to a ziplock bag or a container and store overnight in the fridge. Give them a shake once or twice to spread the marinade around.
4. Take out of the fridge 10-15 minutes before cooking.
5. Preheat the oven to 190 C / 375 F.
6. Grease an oven tray with a little coconut oil or olive oil.
7. Place the drumsticks evenly on a tray and pop in the oven, middle shelf, for 25-30 minutes.

Healthy Chicken Drumsticks

It's easy to make chicken drumsticks healthy. For starters, you’ll want to remove the skin from the chicken, which is where most of the fat resides. By baking, broiling or grilling the chicken instead of frying it, you’ll also wind up with a healthier meal.

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Ingredients:

• Skinless chicken legs
• Garlic
• Salt
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Honey

Instructions:

1. Preheat broiler.
2. In a large bowl, combine garlic, salt, cumin and paprika.
3. Place chicken on prepared broiler pan.
4. Remove chicken from oven and brush with half of the honey mixture.
5. Remove chicken from oven and turn over.
6. Brush chicken with remaining honey mixture.

Tips for Cooking Chicken Drumsticks

• Don't wash the chicken: It’s not recommended to wash chicken before cooking it because the bacteria in raw meat can transfer to utensils and other food items in the kitchen.
• Pat the drumsticks dry: Getting the chicken as dry as possible will help with browning and obtaining crispy skin.
• Use a meat thermometer: Ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. The minimum safe internal temperature is 165°F (74°C).
• Let the chicken rest: Allowing the drumsticks a few minutes to rest after removing from the oven helps to retain moisture.
• Don't be shy with seasoning: Generously season the chicken for the best flavor.

Serving and Storing

Serve chicken drumsticks immediately after cooking. They can be paired with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice, vegetables, or salad.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat them uncovered in a 350°F (175°C) oven to crisp the skin, or enjoy them cold.

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