Fried Chicken Drumstick Recipes

Looking for fried chicken drumstick recipes? Try this one — it's quick, easy, and produces wonderfully crispy chicken!

There are few culinary pleasures as wonderful as fried chicken. There's something about that combination of crispy skin and tender, succulent meat that makes it just irresistible!

Fried chicken is good served hot or cold (though ideally hot, in my humble opinion), kids love it as much as adults, and it's the perfect food to take on a picnic. Really, what is there not to love?

Tips for Perfect Fried Chicken Every Time

While it's not especially hard to prepare, there are a few tips to bear in mind when frying chicken that will help you get the very best results.

1. Soak the chicken in buttermilk. Do it the night before if possible! Soaking the chicken in buttermilk gives you extra juicy chicken, because the acid in the buttermilk breaks down the protein in the chicken and tenderizes it.
2. Don't cook your chicken straight from the fridge. This is because it will cause the temperature of the oil to drop too rapidly and it will be difficult to achieve a crispy skin.
3. Use oil with a high smoke point. Peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil are ideal.
4. Be sure to check for doneness. The frying time given in any recipe is approximate — the chicken may take a little more or less time to be properly cooked. The best option is to check with a meat thermometer, which you should insert into the thickest part of the chicken. When fully cooked, it should read 165 degrees F.

If You Love Chicken Drumsticks...

Then one not try one of these recipes?

These Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Chili Lime are perfect with corn on the cob and a crisp salad. 

If you have an Instant Pot, check out this Gluten Free Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks Recipe. It's ridiculously easy and ready in just 30 minutes — perfect for a midweek meal.

And for something a little spicy, try these simple Cajun Chcken Drumsticks.

Ingredients for Making Fried Chicken

We know this sounds obvious — you need chicken and oil! But to make the best fried chicken, you actually need a couple more ingredients, too:

• Chicken drumsticks
• Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil
• Crushed garlic
• All-purpose flour
• Paprika
• Ground cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper

The seasoning is absolutely essential, and you want to season the chicken before you cook it, not after. Follow the steps below for the perfect bite:

Steps for Frying Chicken

Follow these simple steps to make the best possible fried chicken every time!

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and rub with garlic. Leave to sit for 15 minutes. 
2. Mix the flour, paprika and cayenne in a zip top bag. (We recommend one with a slider to avoid spills!)
3. Add the chicken in batches and shake well until evenly coated.
4. Heat oil in a heavy skillet over a medium heat until it reaches 365 degrees. When it's ready, a little flour dropped in will bubble and sizzle.
5. Shake the excess flour off a piece of chicken and put it carefully into the oil. 
6. Add a few more pieces carefully but do not crowd the pan. 
7. Cover and cook for about 6 to 7 minutes until the chicken is browned on bottom. Turn it over, cover and cook for about 8 minutes more until the chicken is cooked through.
8. Drain the chicken on paper towels and cook the remaining chicken, ensuring that the heat of the oil remains at a constant 365°F.

That's it! We promise, it's even easier than it sounds.