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Crispy Low-Carb Chicken Drumsticks

4.6 stars, average of 367 ratings
By Martina Slajerova, updated September 28 202312
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Crispy Low-Carb Chicken DrumsticksPin itFollow us 148.4k

Who doesn't like crispy chicken drumsticks? I got inspired by this recipe from Nagi of Recipe Tin Eats who used a similar technique to make crispy oven-baked chicken wings.

Apart from using baking powder, Nagi also baked the chicken wings at two temperatures: first on low to render the fat and then on high to crisp them up. I'm not sure if this will work for the drumsticks but my guess would be that this may make them too dry.

Below are tips for the best results:

  • Remove any moisture from the drumsticks by pat drying with a paper towel
  • Press butter or ghee under the skin of each drumstick
  • Use gluten-free baking powder mixed in a spice rub for extra crispiness
  • Use a rack to allow all the juices drip so the drumsticks remain crispy

Hands-on Overall

Serving size 2 drumsticks

Allergy information for Crispy Low-Carb Chicken Drumsticks

✔  Gluten free
✔  Egg free
✔  Nut free
✔  Pork free
✔  Avocado free
✔  Fish free
✔  Shellfish free
✔  Beef free

Nutritional values (per serving, 2 drumsticks)

Net carbs0.8 grams
Protein23.7 grams
Fat23.1 grams
Calories315 kcal
Calories from carbs 1%, protein 31%, fat 68%
Total carbs1.3 gramsFiber0.5 gramsSugars0.1 gramsSaturated fat9.8 gramsSodium835 mg(36% RDA)Magnesium28 mg(7% RDA)Potassium351 mg(18% EMR)

Ingredients (makes 5 servings)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C/ 400 °F (fan assisted), or 220 °C/ 425 °F (conventional). Start by pat drying the chicken drumsticks with a paper towel. Crispy Low-Carb Chicken Drumsticks
  2. Using your fingers, rub the ghee or butter under the skin. To do this, simply pull up the skin of the chicken and massage the fat into the flesh. Spread any remaining ghee on top of the skin. Crispy Low-Carb Chicken Drumsticks
  3. Mix the spices for the rub: paprika, baking powder and salt. Cover the drumsticks in the rub and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. For even better results, place the drumsticks on a rack. Crispy Low-Carb Chicken Drumsticks
  4. Place in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until the skin is crispy and the meat is cooked through. Crispy Low-Carb Chicken Drumsticks
    Enjoy! Crispy Low-Carb Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredient nutritional breakdown (per serving, 2 drumsticks)

Net carbsProteinFatCalories
Chicken drumsticks, raw
0.1 g23.5 g12 g209 kcal
Ghee
0 g0 g11 g100 kcal
Paprika, spices
0.3 g0.2 g0.2 g4 kcal
Baking powder, gluten-free
0.4 g0 g0 g2 kcal
Salt, pink Himalayan rock salt
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Total per serving, 2 drumsticks
0.8 g23.7 g23.1 g315 kcal

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Martina Slajerova
Creator of KetoDietApp.com

Martina Slajerova

I changed the way I ate in 2011, when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. I had no energy, and I found it more and more difficult to maintain a healthy weight.

That’s when I decided to quit sugar, grains, and processed foods, and to start following a whole-foods-based ketogenic approach to food.

More posts by Martina Slajerova
Martina Slajerova

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Comments (12)

Very tasty! My hasband loved it. Thank you

I just want to thank you for this recipe. It was a total hit. The chicken was moist and had a lot of flavor.
Gabe

Thank you Gabe!

I love this idea… chicken legs and thighs are ALWAYS on sale and I’m always looking for recipes that help with the weekly budget! We’re entertaining for a football party this weekend so I’m going to make these… winning… both reasonably priced and full, of yummy flavors! 🍗 🍗 🍗

Absolutely delicious!  We somehow didn’t have baking powder so I substituted coconut flour in its place.  Also put them on the grill instead of baking.  Perfectly crispy and the flavor was outstanding.  Thank you for the recipe!

Thank you for your kind words, Hammy!

Can this chicken once cooked be put in the freezer?
The chicken was bought fresh and the BB date is soon, so I'd like to cook the chicken, but not ready to eat right away or even in the next few days.
And if it can be in the freezer would reheating be best in the oven?
Love your recipes by the way and looking forward to trying this one!

Thank you Julia! Crispy chicken tastes best when freshly baked. You could freeze them but they won't stay crispy. Actually, the skin won't stay crispy even if you refrigerate the chicken but you could crisp it up by reheating in the oven. If you freeze the cooked drumsticks and want to defrost them, make sure you leave them in the fridge overnight, and then crisp them up. You could also use a microwave to reheat them but I don't think this will help the skin crisp up.

Why not remove the option in the recipe to use baking soda?  It's not really helpful to have to read all comments before the recipe is used. This recipe is really yummy, btw.

Thank you Felix, that's because a mixture of baking soda and cream of tartar can be used (see the ingredients). Just avoid using baking soda only.

Thank you Martina, these look so tasty, I'll have to add some paprika next time! I made them a few weeks ago just with salt but used baking soda instead of baking powder. That was a BIG mistake! So make sure you use baking powder because otherwise it's not edible 😊

Thank you Libby, yes I totally agree, baking soda only doesn't work - you have to add cream of tartar or use gluten-free baking powder 😊