What to Cook with Chicken Drumsticks: 25 Delicious Recipes

Chicken drumsticks are an underrated and often overlooked cut of meat However, they are very versatile and can be used to make a variety of delicious dishes Drumsticks have a great flavor and are perfect for cooking methods like baking, frying, grilling, and stewing. They are also budget-friendly and easy to cook. If you have chicken drumsticks on hand but aren’t sure what to make, here are 25 amazing recipes to try

Baked and Roasted Drumstick Recipes

Baking and roasting are simple ways to cook chicken drumsticks without having to touch them. The dry heat makes the skin crispy, but the meat stays juicy and tender.

• Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks – Brush drumsticks with a homemade smoky barbecue sauce for a classic oven-baked dinner. Brown sugar and chipotle peppers add sweet and spicy flavors.

• Roast drumsticks and vegetables on one sheet pan for easy cleanup. This is called sheet-pan curried chicken. Curry powder and garlic give this meal bold Indian-inspired flavors.

• Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Garlic and Herbs – For simple roasted chicken, just season drumsticks with garlic, rosemary, thyme and olive oil before baking.

• Honey Mustard Chicken – Marinate drumsticks in a mixture of honey, mustard, and soy sauce, then bake until caramelized and sticky.

• Parmesan Chicken – For crispy baked chicken, coat drumsticks with Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and herbs before oven baking.

Grilled and Smoked Drumstick Recipes

The smoky flavors from the grill or smoker add delicious depth of flavor to chicken drumsticks. Grilling is also easy for summer cookouts and parties.

• Grilled Chicken Marinade – Let drumsticks soak up a marinade of olive oil, garlic, and herbs before hitting the grill.

• Grilled Greek Chicken – Infuse drumsticks with Mediterranean flavors like lemon, garlic, and oregano by grilling after marinating.

• Smoked Chicken Drumsticks – Use a smoker or grill to give drumsticks a lovely smoky flavor.

• Jerk Chicken – Grill drumsticks seasoned with a spicy Jamaican jerk spice blend and marinade.

Fried and Crispy Drumstick Recipes

When you fry drumsticks, the skin gets extra crispy and the juices stay inside. From pan-frying to deep-frying, these recipes make chicken that is both soft and crunchy.

• Buttermilk Fried Chicken – Soak drumsticks in buttermilk then bread and fry for juicy, crispy fried chicken.

• Crispy Fried Chicken Drumsticks—To make Southern-style fried chicken, dredge drumsticks in flour and then fry them.

• Korean Fried Chicken – Fry drumsticks then toss in a Korean-inspired ginger and garlic sauce.

• Orange Chicken – For takeout-style orange chicken, fry drumsticks and coat in a sticky sweet and tangy orange sauce.

Slow Cooker Drumstick Recipes

Using a slow cooker results in ultra tender and fall-off-the-bone drumsticks. The low gentle heat lets flavors develop and meld.

• Slow Cooker Orange Chicken – Drumsticks cook in a sweet and tangy orange sauce until super tender.

• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken – Infuse drumsticks with smoky barbecue flavor by slow cooking in BBQ sauce.

• Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes – Simply add drumsticks and potatoes to the slow cooker with seasoning for an easy one-pot meal.

• Slow Cooker Greek Chicken – Let drumsticks soak up Mediterranean flavors like lemon, garlic, and oregano in the slow cooker.

Air Fryer Drumstick Recipes

The hot air circulating in an air fryer makes chicken drumsticks crispy on the outside without added oil.

• Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks – Air fry plain drumsticks, or seasoned with cajun seasoning, for quick crispy chicken.

• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken – Toss fried drumsticks in buffalo wing sauce for healthier hot wings.

• Air Fryer Korean Chicken – Air fry drumsticks then coat in a sweet and salty Korean-style sauce.

• Air Fryer Orange Chicken – For crispy orange chicken minus the oil, air fry drumsticks and coat in an orange sauce.

Instant Pot Drumstick Recipes

The pressure cooker setting on the Instant Pot perfectly cooks drumsticks in a fraction of the time.

• Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken – Infuse drumsticks with Hawaiian flavors like soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in the Instant Pot.

• Instant Pot Chicken Adobo – Cook drumsticks in a Filipino-style sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and pepper.

• Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes – Layer drumsticks and potatoes with onions and broth in the Instant Pot for fast one-pot meal.

Drumstick Soup and Stew Recipes

Chicken drumsticks add juicy meat and bold flavor to soups and stews. The bone-in pieces hold up well to simmering.

• Chicken Tortilla Soup – Simmer drumsticks in a tomato-based Mexican soup with onions, chiles, and spices.

• Chicken and Dumplings – Make an old-fashioned chicken stew with drumsticks and use biscuit dough to make dumplings.

• Chicken and Rice Soup – Cook drumsticks with carrots, celery, and rice in a herb-seasoned broth.

• Coq Au Vin – For a French chicken stew, braise drumsticks in red wine with mushrooms and pearl onions.

• Chicken Posole – Use Mexican posole spices to flavor chicken and drumsticks stewed with hominy.

Global Drumstick Recipes

Chicken drumsticks work well in cuisines from around the world. Try using them in these flavorful ethnic recipes.

• Jerk Chicken – Marinate drumsticks in a spicy Jamaican jerk seasoning blend before grilling.

• Tandoori Chicken – Soak drumsticks in a yogurt marinade infused with Indian spices like garlic, ginger, and paprika.

• Thai Curry Chicken – Simmer drumsticks in a coconut milk based red or green curry sauce.

• Chicken Adobo – Braise drumsticks in a Filipino adobo sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic.

• Moroccan Chicken Tagine – Stew drumsticks in a tagine seasoned with Moroccan spices like cumin, cinnamon, coriander, and saffron.

The possibilities are endless when cooking with chicken drumsticks! From roasted and baked to air fried or braised in stews, they can be used to make all kinds of easy and delicious meals. With these 25 recipes, you’ll never run out of weeknight dinner ideas again.