Are you in the mood for a delicious and satisfying meal? Look no further than this quick and easy pan fried chicken drumsticks recipe. In just 30 minutes, you can have flavorful and tender chicken legs with crispy skin. Let me guide you through the simple steps to cook these mouthwatering drumsticks on your stove.
The Best Pan Fried Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
What makes this recipe the best? It’s the perfect combination of simplicity and taste. With just a few pantry ingredients, you can achieve juicy and flavorful chicken drumsticks. The crispy skin and tender, moist inside will have you coming back for seconds. And the best part? This recipe is paleo-friendly, low-carb, and keto.
Ingredients
To make these pan fried chicken drumsticks, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Chicken Drumsticks: Bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks are recommended for this recipe, but you can remove the skin if desired to reduce calories. Chicken leg quarters can also be used.
- Paprika: Smoked paprika is preferred, but you can also mix it with sweet paprika.
- Garlic granules
- Onion granules
- Parsley
- Black pepper: Feel free to use any other type of ground dried pepper.
- Salt
- Oil: Vegetable, sunflower, olive, or coconut oil work well in this recipe.
You can also experiment with other seasonings like peri peri, jerk, or taco seasoning for a different flavor profile.
How To Pan Fry Chicken Legs (Stove-top Chicken Drumsticks)
- In a small bowl, combine paprika, onion granules, garlic granules, black pepper, and salt. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Use a paper towel to pat dry the drumsticks.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a bowl and add the seasoning mix. Coat the drumsticks evenly with the seasoning.
- Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add oil.
- Arrange the drumsticks in the pan with the skin side down.
- Pan fry for 8 minutes, then flip the drumsticks to the other side and fry for another 8 minutes.
- Add 2 cups of water to the pan and cook on low heat until the water evaporates or until the drumsticks are fully cooked (approximately 12-15 minutes). You can also leave some pan juices to serve with the chicken.
- Once the chicken legs are cooked, remove the skillet from the heat.
- You can tell if the chicken is cooked by checking that there is no pinkness in the middle and the juices run clear. Alternatively, use a thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 75°C/165°F for safe consumption.
- Serve and enjoy!
How Long to Pan Fry Chicken Legs
The cooking time for chicken legs on the stove depends on their size. For medium-sized drumsticks, it usually takes about 30 minutes to achieve perfectly cooked chicken. This allows for thorough cooking both on the outside and inside, ensuring juicy and tender results. The same cooking time applies to chicken leg quarters over medium heat.
What To Serve With Pan Fried Chicken Drumsticks
Here are some delicious side dishes that pair well with pan fried chicken drumsticks:
- Sauteed vegetables and spicy rice
- Boiled carrots and potatoes
- Air fryer potatoes and boiled broccoli
- Fried spaghetti or pasta
- Dipping sauces like peri peri sauce, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, garlic parmesan, and more.
Storage Information
If you have leftovers, you can store cooked chicken drumsticks in the fridge or freezer. For short-term storage (up to 5 days), place the chicken in a plastic bag or airtight container in the fridge. To store for longer periods (up to 6 months), use a freezer-safe airtight container or Ziploc bag, label it with the name and date, and place it in the freezer.
To reheat the chicken drumsticks, you can use various methods. For stove-top reheating, place the drumsticks in a skillet or frying pan, add a cup of water, and heat over medium heat until heated through and the water evaporates. For microwave reheating, place the drumsticks on a microwave-safe plate, cover, and microwave on high heat for 2 minutes or until warmed through.
Tips for Making Pan Fried Chicken Drumsticks
- Use drumsticks that are similar in size to ensure even cooking.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices or homemade seasonings for added variety.
- Make sure to coat the chicken legs evenly with the seasoning mixture.
- For enhanced flavor, consider marinating the chicken legs in the seasoning mixture for a few hours or overnight.
- Avoid overheating the oil before adding the chicken legs to prevent burning the skin.
- You can leave some pan juices or thicken them with cornflour to make a gravy.
- Take care not to rush the cooking process, as it’s important to achieve an internal temperature of 75°C/165°F to ensure food safety.
- Covering the pan after adding water helps trap steam, ensuring thorough and faster cooking.
More Chicken Drumsticks Recipes
- Boiled chicken legs
- Air fryer chicken drumsticks
- Instant pot chicken drumsticks
- Baked chicken legs
I hope you enjoy this pan fried chicken drumsticks recipe as much as we do. If you found this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
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Remember, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a homemade meal. So grab those drumsticks and start cooking!
