Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Name: Fried Chicken Drumsticks
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 6 chicken drumsticks; 2 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp salt; olive oil for frying

Published on Oct 12, 2021. Updated on Jan 16, 2023. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 6 Comments

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Savor these finger-licking fried chicken drumsticks recipe that is so quick to whip up and pairs perfectly well with other dishes!

I'm an enthusiastic lover of fried chicken, especially since it turns out it's a great meal choice, and it's so versatile.

I especially love this easy chicken recipe on a low carb diet. I pair it with my keto jollof rice or curry cauliflower rice, and dinner is ready to go!

And if you have a deep frying pan, that's all you need. No special equipment is required. Dinner is up and ready in no time, and it freezes well too.

If you need a good fried chicken recipe, then this recipe is for you!

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Equipment used
Ingredients Used
How To Make This Recipe
Storing and Reheating
What can I eat this recipe with?
Tips and variations
Recipe variations
Frequently asked questions
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💬 Comments

Equipment used

For this recipe, you would need a deep frying pan or a deep fryer. You basically just need an appliance that allows the chicken to be completely submerged in oil.

I use a deep cast iron skillet, but you can use any large pan. If you're going to use an open pan, make sure you get one of these splatter screens to avoid oil burns!

Ingredients Used

This recipe calls for just a few ingredients.

Chicken drumsticks: You can easily get them in a pack already cleaned from the grocery store in the US. Or you can cut and clean them yourself.
Spices: Smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
Olive oil for frying. You can use avocado oil or your favorite cooking oil instead.

How To Make This Recipe

Wash and pat dry the chicken pieces with paper towels. Or, if you have the time, put the chicken drumsticks in a colander to drain all the excess water.
Pour enough oil in your frying pan to cover the chicken parts, and place it on medium heat till it gets hot.
Mix the spices together in a small bowl, then coat the chicken drumsticks with spices.
Deep fry chicken drumsticks in olive oil till crispy.
Place the chicken legs on a plate covered with paper towels to soak up extra oil as it drips.

Storing and Reheating

Your delicious fried chicken drumsticks will keep fresh in the refrigerator for about four to five days. Store them in an airtight container to preserve them.

You can also freeze them for a month or two in an airtight container. For this, I suggest you place them on a sheet and freeze them, then take them from the sheet and transfer them to an airtight container.

To reheat, take the chicken out of the fridge and allow them to thaw to room temperature, just enough for the pieces to be easily separated.

Preheat your oven to 400F. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and line with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Bake for 5-10 mins till crispy.

You can also reheat in an air fryer and the instructions will be the same. Make sure they are on a single layer whether you reheat in the oven or air fryer.

What can I eat this recipe with?

This delicious crispy fried chicken drumsticks recipe can be enjoyed alone as a standalone meal. Just pair it with your favorite dip, and you're good to go! You can use BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or a hot sauce like this African pepper sauce.

You can also serve it with a side of veggies like roasted cauliflower or air fryer broccoli.

Tips and variations

To save time, use my homemade chicken seasoning mix on all your chicken dishes!
You can also prepare the chicken by placing all ingredients in a resealable plastic bag and shaking the bag till the chicken is well coated.
Let the chicken legs thaw to room temperature to get rid of excess water before frying in hot oil for best results.
Place the chicken drumsticks on a wire rack if you have one to collect excess liquid as it drains.

Recipe variations

You can use an air fryer instead to make this crispy skin fried chicken recipe. The hot air is perfect for this fried chicken recipe, and it reduces cooking time. The air fryer recipe is basically the same, except you air fry the chicken drumsticks at 400F and check with an instant-read thermometer for doneness. The internal temperature of the chicken should be at 165 degrees F.
You can add some cayenne pepper if you want it spicy.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to fry a drumstick?

On average, it takes about 15 to 18 minutes to fry a drumstick till it's a nice golden brown color. If frying in a deep fryer, allow the oil to reach a temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit before putting your chicken parts in.
If frying in a deep pan or skillet, about 10 minutes on each side should fry the chicken drumsticks properly.

How do you tell if fried chicken drumsticks are done?

To know when the fried chicken drumsticks are done, check with a meat thermometer. Chicken parts should reach an internal temperature of 165F to be safe to eat.
Also, when frying with a deep fryer, the chicken would be slightly browned and will rise to the top of the oil when ready. Make sure you put the chicken legs in when the oil temperature is 375F and fry for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Should you boil chicken before frying?

No, it is not necessary to boil your chicken before frying it. Cooking chicken in water before frying might extract moisture from it, which will make the chicken end up dry.

Do you take the skin off chicken drumsticks before frying?

No, you don't have to remove the skin from the chicken before frying it. In fact, leaving the skin on the chicken has its benefits. First of all, the skin of a chicken helps retain moisture while frying, so it doesn't dry out.
Also, crispy and crunchy skin adds more flavor to the chicken. It is tasty and adds some fat content to the meal, which is needed when on a low-carb diet.

Do I need to add flour when frying chicken?

Nope! As described in the instructions, you can fry your chicken without coating it in flour, and it'll still come out with a crunchy texture. The secret is in the seasoning and the frying. I prefer not to use flour so I can keep the carbs low.

Enjoy these other delicious chicken recipes!

Crispy Skin Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from frozen!)

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Ghost Pepper Wings

Fried Chicken Breast

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