Chicken drumsticks, the unsung heroes of poultry! From grilled summer BBQs to oven-baked cozy winter meals, they’re super juicy and brimming with flavor. Here are some of the best chicken drumstick recipes to try!.
Who else recalls those intense dinner table debates over the last drumstick? Yep, they’re THAT good. And kids? They adore them—easy to grip and a blast to munch on.
But despite them being most popular on the grill, their magic isn’t limited to barbecue season; they hold a special place in many cultures, from the aromatic Indian curries to the Southern American crispy fried treats. They’re even delicious air-fried.
Budget-wise, they’re a smart pick too. They offer so much more flavor and are more cost-effective than other cuts like chicken breasts or thighs.
So, move over, chicken wings! With 41 meticulously hand-picked chicken drumstick recipes coming up, your lunch and dinner game is about to get a major boost. Excited yet?.
Chicken drumsticks are an underrated and often overlooked cut of meat However, they are very versatile and can be used to make a variety of delicious dishes Drumsticks have a great flavor and are perfect for cooking methods like baking, frying, grilling, and stewing. They are also budget-friendly and easy to cook. If you have chicken drumsticks on hand but aren’t sure what to make, here are 25 amazing recipes to try
Baked and Roasted Drumstick Recipes
Baking and roasting are easy hands-off cooking methods that work perfectly with chicken drumsticks. The dry heat helps crisp up the skin while keeping the meat juicy and tender.
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Chicken Drumsticks with Smoky BBQ Sauce: For a traditional oven-baked dinner, brush chicken drumsticks with a smoking barbecue sauce you make yourself. Brown sugar and chipotle peppers add sweet and spicy flavors.
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Sheet-Pan Curried Chicken – Roast drumsticks and veggies all on one sheet for easy cleanup. Curry powder and garlic give this meal bold Indian-inspired flavors.
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Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Garlic and Herbs – For simple roasted chicken, just season drumsticks with garlic, rosemary, thyme and olive oil before baking.
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Honey Mustard Chicken – Marinate drumsticks in a mixture of honey, mustard, and soy sauce, then bake until caramelized and sticky.
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Parmesan Chicken: To make chicken drumsticks crispy, coat them with Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and herbs before putting them in the oven.
Grilled and Smoked Drumstick Recipes
The smoky flavors from the grill or smoker make chicken drumsticks taste even better. Grilling is also easy for summer cookouts and parties.
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Olive oil, garlic, and herbs should be mixed together in a marinade for grilled chicken drumsticks before they are put on the grill.
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Grilled Greek Chicken – Infuse drumsticks with Mediterranean flavors like lemon, garlic, and oregano by grilling after marinating.
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Smoked Chicken Drumsticks – Use a smoker or grill to give drumsticks a lovely smoky flavor.
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Jerk Chicken – Grill drumsticks seasoned with a spicy Jamaican jerk spice blend and marinade.
Fried and Crispy Drumstick Recipes
Frying makes the skin on drumsticks extra crispy and seals in the juices. From pan frying to deep frying, these recipes yield tender and crunchy chicken.
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Buttermilk Fried Chicken – Soak drumsticks in buttermilk then bread and fry for juicy, crispy fried chicken.
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Crispy Fried Chicken Drumsticks – For Southern-style fried chicken, coat drumsticks in a simple flour dredge before frying.
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Korean Fried Chicken – Fry drumsticks then toss in a Korean-inspired ginger and garlic sauce.
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Orange Chicken – For takeout-style orange chicken, fry drumsticks and coat in a sticky sweet and tangy orange sauce.
Slow Cooker Drumstick Recipes
Using a slow cooker results in ultra tender and fall-off-the-bone drumsticks. The low gentle heat lets flavors develop and meld.
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Slow Cooker Orange Chicken – Drumsticks cook in a sweet and tangy orange sauce until super tender.
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Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken – Infuse drumsticks with smoky barbecue flavor by slow cooking in BBQ sauce.
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Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes – Simply add drumsticks and potatoes to the slow cooker with seasoning for an easy one-pot meal.
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Slow Cooker Greek Chicken – Let drumsticks soak up Mediterranean flavors like lemon, garlic, and oregano in the slow cooker.
Air Fryer Drumstick Recipes
The hot air circulating in an air fryer makes chicken drumsticks crispy on the outside without added oil.
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Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks – Air fry plain drumsticks, or seasoned with cajun seasoning, for quick crispy chicken.
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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken – Toss fried drumsticks in buffalo wing sauce for healthier hot wings.
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Air Fryer Korean Chicken – Air fry drumsticks then coat in a sweet and salty Korean-style sauce.
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Air Fryer Orange Chicken – For crispy orange chicken minus the oil, air fry drumsticks and coat in an orange sauce.
Instant Pot Drumstick Recipes
The pressure cooker setting on the Instant Pot perfectly cooks drumsticks in a fraction of the time.
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Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken – Infuse drumsticks with Hawaiian flavors like soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in the Instant Pot.
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Instant Pot Chicken Adobo – Cook drumsticks in a Filipino-style sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and pepper.
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Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes – Layer drumsticks and potatoes with onions and broth in the Instant Pot for fast one-pot meal.
Drumstick Soup and Stew Recipes
Chicken drumsticks add juicy meat and bold flavor to soups and stews. The bone-in pieces hold up well to simmering.
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Chicken Tortilla Soup – Simmer drumsticks in a tomato-based Mexican soup with onions, chiles, and spices.
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Chicken and Dumplings – Make an old-fashioned chicken stew with drumsticks and use biscuit dough to make dumplings.
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Chicken and Rice Soup – Cook drumsticks with carrots, celery, and rice in a herb-seasoned broth.
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Coq Au Vin – For a French chicken stew, braise drumsticks in red wine with mushrooms and pearl onions.
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Chicken Posole – Use Mexican posole spices to flavor chicken and drumsticks stewed with hominy.
Global Drumstick Recipes
Chicken drumsticks work well in cuisines from around the world. Try using them in these flavorful ethnic recipes.
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Jerk Chicken – Marinate drumsticks in a spicy Jamaican jerk seasoning blend before grilling.
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Tandoori Chicken – Soak drumsticks in a yogurt marinade infused with Indian spices like garlic, ginger, and paprika.
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Thai Curry Chicken – Simmer drumsticks in a coconut milk based red or green curry sauce.
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Chicken Adobo – Braise drumsticks in a Filipino adobo sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic.
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Moroccan Chicken Tagine – Stew drumsticks in a tagine seasoned with Moroccan spices like cumin, cinnamon, coriander, and saffron.
The possibilities are endless when cooking with chicken drumsticks! From roasted and baked to air fried or braised in stews, they can be used to make all kinds of easy and delicious meals. With these 25 recipes, you’ll never run out of weeknight dinner ideas again.
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
For those seeking tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken with minimal fuss, these Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks are the answer. Cooked perfectly in the Instant Pot and then crisped up under the broiler, these drumsticks are a treat for both casual dinners and game-day appetizers.
Chicken lollipops, anyone? This recipe is all about turning those drumsticks into fancy lollipops (minus the sugar). It’s all about that French technique, making them super easy to munch on. Seasoned to perfection, you can glaze them with Korean Barbecue Sauce or really any sauce that floats your boat. I’d recommend setting the table with some Jasmine rice and any dipping sauce.
Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken Legs
When Jo Cooks makes drumsticks, she takes the idea of simplicity to a whole new level by adding lemon and garlic. Everything marinates effortlessly in a Ziploc and cooks up in one pan. Less fuss, maximum flavor. Elevate this Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken Legs by pairing it with roasted potatoes or a refreshing couscous salad. Dinner, done beautifully.
This Baked Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks is easy to make and tastes amazing. It’s drenched in sweet honey and savory soy. Perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekend dinners. And to make it a meal, pair it with some fried rice or these tasty chow mein noodles. Simple, fast, and delicious!.
Next time you make chicken drumsticks, try this easy and delicious recipe
FAQ
How do you cook chicken drumsticks?
EASY and fantastic! For best results, use whole chicken drumsticks with the skin still on. Set chicken pieces in a flat baking dish, such as you would use for lasagna. Be sure to leave the skin on—most of the excess fat will run off into the pan, while what is left will help flavor the dish.
How do you make crispy drumsticks crispy?
The trick to crispy baked drumsticks is to stretch the skin over the drumsticks as much as possible (because flesh won’t go crisp!) and then coat the skin evenly all over with the seasoned flour. Seasoning – Mix the spices and flour together in a bowl. Use a shallow bowl as it’s easier coat the chicken legs in the seasoning.
Are oven baked chicken drumsticks good?
Oven-baked chicken drumsticks are the perfect weeknight meal to whip up when you just don’t know what to make. Chicken drumsticks are easy to make, always satisfying, and go well with a wide range of side dishes. They are succulent and tender on the inside and crisp and herb-infused on the outside.
What is a good side dish for chicken drumsticks?
A refreshing coleslaw or roasted vegetables make excellent side dishes for chicken drumsticks. Their contrasting flavors and textures complement the savory taste of the chicken perfectly. A refreshing coleslaw or roasted vegetables make excellent side dishes for chicken drumsticks.
What food can I make with chicken drumsticks?
Chicken drumstick recipesMango chicken, bean & rice bake. Chipotle chicken & slaw. Mustard & parmesan- crumbed chicken. Fruity Caribbean curry. Chicken drumsticks with cashew & turmeric. One-pan piri piri chicken dinner. BBQ chicken drummers with green goddess salad. Sticky chicken drumsticks & sesame rice salad.