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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:
    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Seasoning: Mix all the spices in a small bowl.
  4. 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.
  5. Marinate the chicken legs for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Bring to room temperature before cooking (it will take 20-30 minutes).
Oven method:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F/ 200°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Bake: Place the marinated chicken on the prepared tray and bake for 30 minutes until cooked and crispy.
  3. 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:
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F/ 200 °C. Spray it with oil. Arrange the drumsticks in the basket in a single layer.
  2. Air fry for about 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check that the legs are cooked through using an instant-read thermometer.
  3. Glaze: If you decide to glaze them, brush them with the sauce during the last 5 minutes of the cooking time.
Grill:
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high (400°F/200°C) for direct grilling.
  2. 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.
  3. Brush with the glaze and cook to the end without the lid, flipping often and brushing again when flipping.
  4. 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.

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