
0 from 6 votes
Spicy Butterflied Chicken Legs
Making butterflied chicken legs is a fun and quick way of serving chicken drumsticks. They are crispy and tender, flavorful, and they cook faster.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 370 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 8 chicken legs (drumsticks), Note 1
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin Note 2
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Glaze (optional), Note 3
- ½ cup BBQ sauce Notes 4, 5
Instructions
Butterfly chicken legs:
- Caution: The meat is slippery, so ensure it is dry and the cutting board is stable. Be careful when cutting so that the knife won’t slip.
- Butterfly drumsticks: Pat them dry with paper towels. Place them on a cutting board. Cut the meat on the side with less skin to expose the bone. Carefully cut around the bone a little to expose it a bit more but ensure that the meat remains attached to the bone at the top so that it would not fall off the bone.
- Seasoning: Mix all the spices in a small bowl.
- Season: Place the drumsticks in a large bowl and rub them well with the oil. Add the spices and rub to coat the chicken all over.
- Marinate the chicken legs for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Bring to room temperature before cooking (it will take 20-30 minutes).
Cup of Yum
Oven method:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/ 200°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Bake: Place the marinated chicken on the prepared tray and bake for 30 minutes until cooked and crispy.
- Glaze: If you decide to glaze the drumsticks, remove them from the oven after 20 minutes, brush them with the glaze on both sides and bake them until cooked through.
Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F/ 200 °C. Spray it with oil. Arrange the drumsticks in the basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for about 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check that the legs are cooked through using an instant-read thermometer.
- Glaze: If you decide to glaze them, brush them with the sauce during the last 5 minutes of the cooking time.
Grill:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high (400°F/200°C) for direct grilling.
- Grill drumsticks: Place the drumsticks on the grill with the skin side up. Place the lid on top. Grill for 20-25 minutes, flipping every 3-5 minutes or so until almost cooked through.
- Brush with the glaze and cook to the end without the lid, flipping often and brushing again when flipping.
- Check the internal temperature (165°F/74°C); the drumsticks should be slightly charred and glossy.
Notes
- The legs I had weighed between 3.5 oz – 4.2 oz/ 100 - 120 g.
- This spice mixture is just a suggestion. Use other spices if you like. Your favorite store-bought chicken rub is always a good idea, but if all you have are salt and pepper, that will be fine too.
- The glaze is great but optional.
- Use your favorite brand of BBQ sauce.
- To make the drumsticks hot add some Sriracha or another hot sauce to taste.
Nutrition Information
Serving
2legs
Calories
370kcal
(19%)
Carbohydrates
16g
(5%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
11g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
139mg
(46%)
Sodium
975mg
(41%)
Potassium
448mg
(13%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
434IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
0.3mg
(0%)
Calcium
34mg
(3%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 370
% Daily Value*
Serving | 2legs | |
Calories | 370kcal | 19% |
Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
Protein | 27g | 54% |
Fat | 22g | 34% |
Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
Cholesterol | 139mg | 46% |
Sodium | 975mg | 41% |
Potassium | 448mg | 10% |
Fiber | 1g | 4% |
Sugar | 12g | 24% |
Vitamin A | 434IU | 9% |
Vitamin C | 0.3mg | 0% |
Calcium | 34mg | 3% |
Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.