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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!)
📖 Recipe
Fried Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- olive oil for frying
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the chicken.
- Mix the spices together in a small bowl.
- Coat the chicken drumsticks with spices.
- Deep fry in olive oil till crispy, flipping after 10 minutes.
- Drain in a colander or paper towels before serving.
Notes
- 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.
Great recipe. Chicken was crispy on the outside and juicey on the inside .
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Tasha!
Can you make these in the oven instead?
Yes you can.
Olive oil has a low smoking point and I've never seen it used for deep frying. Why did you use olive oil for this recipe?
I have used olive oil for deep frying for over 20 years without any issues. Feel free to use your favorite cooking oil of choice.
I love everything about this keto African food!! Thank you for sharing !
You're welcome, Melynda!
Can you use lard for frying instead of olive oil?
Yes you can!