Fried chicken is often a family favorite but can be an involved and messy process. These oven-fried drumsticks simplify the method without sacrificing flavor. They're ready in about an hour and come out of the oven just as crispy and juicy.
The flour is seasoned with paprika, poultry seasoning, and a little curry powder for an interesting twist. The chicken is coated with the seasoned flour, placed on a baking sheet with melted butter, and then cooked to crispy perfection in a hot oven. The recipe works with chicken thighs (on the bone) and whole chicken legs (hindquarters), too.
Bake these drumsticks for an easy and inexpensive weeknight meal. Serve them with macaroni and cheese, scalloped potatoes, or any of your favorite veggie sides. They are also great cold or at room temperature, and the recipe is easily scaled up or down.
How to Tell When Chicken Is Done
Visual cues, such as looking for meat that is no longer pink and "until the juices run clear," are unreliable ways to know when chicken is properly cooked. Instead, use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the chicken's internal temperature before removing it from the oven. According to the USDA, the safe minimum temperature for chicken is 165 F/74 C. While that applies to all chicken, it's best to cook dark meat (thighs and drumsticks, collectively the leg) to 175 F to 180 F because this softens the connective tissue.
How Do You Make Baked Chicken Skin Crispy?
Baking chicken drumsticks uncovered at high heat (as in this recipe) will ensure the skin is nice and crispy. Flipping the chicken mid-bake also prevents one side from getting crisper than the other.
Can You Overcook Chicken Drumsticks?
Drumsticks have more fat than the white meat parts of the chicken, such as the breasts. That makes it easier to avoid overcooking drumsticks and results in moist, flavorful meat.
Tips for Making Oven Fried Chicken
- Be prepared - Have the seasoned flour mixture and chicken ready before putting the baking pan with the butter in the oven to make sure it doesn't burn.
- Unsalted is best - Unsalted butter is the best choice because it does not burn as easily at high temperatures. If you use salted butter, the kitchen may become smoky.
"I'll probably never deep-fry chicken legs again, because this technique is so easy. "Frying" the chicken in the oven results in chicken that's every bit as crispy and flavorful as if it were deep-fried. I also like that you don't have to fry in batches, so it's a time-saver, too." —Jess Kapadia
Ingredients
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1/2 cup all-purpose flour
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2 1/2 teaspoons salt
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1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
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2 teaspoons paprika
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1 teaspoon curry powder
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2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
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1/2 cup unsalted butter
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20 to 24 chicken drumsticks
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Heat the oven to 450 F/230 C. Line two 9x13x2-inch baking pans with heavy-duty foil.
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In a food storage bag, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon curry powder, and 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning.
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Cut the 1/2 cup unsalted butter into pieces and place half (1/4 cup) in each foil-lined pan. Put the pans in the oven to melt butter. (Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.)
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Coat 20 to 24 chicken drumsticks with the seasoned flour mixture, shaking about three legs at a time in the bag.
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Place the chicken in the melted butter in the prepared pans.
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Bake the drumsticks for 30 minutes. Turn the chicken over and bake 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until tender and nicely browned. Serve and enjoy.
Feeling Adventurous? Try This:
- Flavor boost - Give the chicken a little Cajun zing by replacing the curry powder and poultry seasoning with 2 1/2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Reduce the salt to 1 teaspoon unless the seasoning is salt-free.
- Make it spicy - Use a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or garlic powder if you don't have curry powder.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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657 | Calories |
37g | Fat |
7g | Carbs |
69g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 8 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 657 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 37g | 48% |
Saturated Fat 14g | 71% |
Cholesterol 392mg | 131% |
Sodium 1032mg | 45% |
Total Carbohydrate 7g | 2% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 2% |
Total Sugars 0g | |
Protein 69g | |
Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
Calcium 46mg | 4% |
Iron 4mg | 21% |
Potassium 783mg | 17% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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