I received a request last week for some quick and easy meal ideas starting with chicken drumsticks. Angela told me that chicken drumsticks were on sale at her supermarket for 59 cents a pound. And as a bonus, kids love drumsticks; they are the perfect finger food. There are usually about 4 drumsticks per pound.
This might not be news to most parents, but I have found that children love any kind of food they can eat with their fingers and dip into, well, a dip. Vegetables cut into small pieces and served with a dill dip are always a hit. Why not do the same thing with chicken drumsticks? Any of the savory dip recipes in my Appetizer Recipes would work really well. This is also a good way to get more nutrition in each bite, since you can use low fat yogurt and chopped vegetables to make a terrific dip.
You can leave the skin on the drumsticks for these recipes, or remove it, as you wish. The chicken will be more moist if cooked with the skin on. Also think about using any of my Chicken Coating recipes with the drumsticks. Just bake the coated drumsticks at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes until the meat is thoroughly cooked, the juices run clear, and the chicken is fork tender.
Chicken drumsticks are also a great source for chopped cooked chicken meat. Simply poach or bake the drumsticks until the meat is thoroughly cooked, then let cool and pull the meat off the bone. The cooked meat freezes beautifully and you'll have a ready source for cooked chicken on days when you just can't face the stove. And remember, you can use drumsticks as a substitute in any recipe that calls for bone in chicken pieces.
Now go to the next page to get the recipes!
