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Spicy drumsticks are served on a white plate.
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Spicy Drumsticks (5 Ingredients)

These spicy drumsticks are just the thing when you're faced with making drumsticks AGAIN. They are made with just five ingredients and no added sugar.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 286kcal
Author Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 8 chicken drumsticks medium, 4 ounces each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of any other salt, including Morton kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Optional garnishes:

  • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
  • Pinch red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with high-heat-resistant parchment paper.
    Parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Wipe the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
    The drumsticks are arranged on a baking sheet.
  • Prepare the rub: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, kosher salt, chili powder, and cayenne pepper to create a paste. Pour the paste over the chicken pieces and, using your hands or a pastry brush, coat the chicken on all sides.
    The drumsticks were coated in the spicy rub.
  • Bake the drumsticks until cooked through and the juices run clear (their internal temperature as measured by a food thermometer not touching the bone should reach 165ºF), for about 40 minutes. Check them after the first 30 minutes and loosely cover them with foil if they seem to be darkening too much on top.
    The chicken is ready in the pan.
  • If you wish, garnish the chicken with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes, then serve.
    The chicken is served.

Video

Notes

No Added Sugar

There IS a valid reason to add a small amount of sugar, although I think it's still used in excess nowadays. Sugar enhances the flavor of foods and promotes browning by enhancing the Maillard reaction that naturally occurs when we roast or sear meats. It's very noticeable in this honey garlic chicken recipe, for example.
So, adding a teaspoon of brown sugar to a rub such as the one used in this recipe is not such a bad idea, especially since very little remains after cooking in each serving. Having said that, my personal choice is to avoid sugar as much as possible, so my recipe contains no added sugar.

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them covered in the microwave or uncovered in a 350°F oven.
Or simply eat them cold! Cold spicy drumsticks are delicious. It's no wonder cold chicken is such a classic picnic food.

Nutrition

Serving: 2drumsticks | Calories: 286kcal | Protein: 28g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 721mg
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