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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.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 286 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with high-heat-resistant parchment paper.
  2. Wipe the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. If you wish, garnish the chicken with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes, then serve.

Notes

  • 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.
  • 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 Information

Serving 2drumsticks Calories 286kcal (14%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Sodium 721mg (30%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 286

% Daily Value*

Serving 2drumsticks
Calories 286kcal 14%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Sodium 721mg 30%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.