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Crispy Fried Chicken Drumsticks

This delicacy needs little to no introduction as most of us are really familiar with it but this recipe will probably be the easiest and the best crispy fried chicken legs recipe ever because it is less intimidating when compared to most fried chicken recipes, it uses few simple ingredients, and the result is an extremely crispy and crunchy skin, with a meat that is moist and tender.

Crispy Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe

Chicken drumsticks are always a favorite around here. You’ll love the delightful flavor of these fried drumsticks seasoned with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper with a dash of chili powder for added flavor.

These fried chicken drumsticks are an excellent addition to any picnic, family gathering, weeknight dinner, or a special treat. You can serve this fried chicken recipe as a standalone treat or with your favorite sides for dinner like potato salad, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and so much more.

If you prefer to use an air fryer for this recipe, don’t worry I’ve got you covered. I have an amazing recipe for air-fried chicken drumsticks here! You can also check other delicious chicken leg recipes here, Explore and keep enjoying!

Crispy fried Chicken drumsticks with ketchup

How Do I make A Flavorful Crispy Fried Chicken Legs?

This recipe uses whole milk and eggs as wet ingredients. However, you can use buttermilk in place of whole milk if that’s what you prefer.

The dry ingredients are flour and spices and there’s no need to marinate the chicken as long as you season your milk mixture with salt and black pepper. If you don’t season it, you will miss out on flavor. Trust me on this! 

If you follow these easy steps your fried chicken will turn out into an outer shell that you love biting into, with a moist and tender interior so be sure not to skip any step. 

  • First, make a mixture of milk, eggs, salt, and black pepper. Set aside. 
  • Next, combine the flour with the spices. Mix well.
  • Place the legs inside the dry ingredient mixture and coat well. Then transfer it to the milk mixture. Coat well.
  • Finally, transfer the legs back to the bowl of dry ingredients and coat well until the legs become thickly coated. At this point, the chicken is ready to be fried. 
  • If you want the pieces extra crispy, redip in the egg-milk mixture and seasoned flour.
  • Fry these battered chicken legs preheated oil in it. The oil in the pan must reach 350 degrees for optimal crisping of the fried chicken batter. You’ll turn the chicken over partway through the frying process until the entire drumstick is crisp and browned—about 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Be sure to place your fried chicken on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the extra oil and allow your fried chicken rest for 1-2 minutes before serving.
Crispy fried Chicken drumsticks with ketchup and celery sticks

How long does it take to fry Chicken Legs?

An average chicken leg will take approximately 12 to 15 minutes when deep pan-frying, but it’s also advisable to check the chicken’s internal temperature to ensure the meat is cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why is my fried chicken not crispy?

There’s nothing worse than having a plan to enjoy some deep-fried chicken only to find out the chicken isn’t crispy at all. If this happens, then you had your oil too cold. 

It’s important to maintain the proper temperature of 350-degree oil to get your crispy fried chicken drumsticks the right crisp texture.

If the heat is too low it will take longer for your chicken to cook and, in turn, leave you with oily, over- dense chicken that will not leave your taste buds happy. 

Crispy fried Chicken drumsticks with ketchup and celery sticks
Fried Chicken

NOTES:

  • I used peanut oil because of its high smoke point and…well….taste and I will advise you to do the same or better still use oils like Grapeseed, Canola, Corn, Olive, Sesame seed or Sunflower.
  • I know there are two teams when it comes to washing or not washing your Chicken before cooking it – This is totally up to you.
  • Feel free to use any Chicken part of your choice as long as it is cut into small portions – When the Chicken piece is too big, it will take a longer time to cook and the outer part might become overly browned before it becomes fully cooked on the inside.

This post first appeared on cheflolaskitctchen.com on May 12th 2016 

Other Favorite Chicken Recipes

Crispy fried Chicken drumsticks with ketchup and celery sticks

Crispy Fried Chicken Drumsticks

This delicacy needs little to no introduction as most of us are really familiar with it; it’s crispy, spicy, and super easy to make.
4.82 from 69 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Lunch/Dinner
Cuisine: American, southern
Keyword: chicken, drumsticks, fried chicken, homemade
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 10 chicken Legs
Calories: 263kcal
Author: Lola Osinkolu

Ingredients

  • 2 lb chicken legs
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder or to taste
  • 1½ to 2 teaspoons salt or add to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • Enough oil for deep frying

Instructions

  • Combine the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl and set it aside.
  • Whisk together the milk, egg, pinch of salt, and pepper to taste in a separate bowl and set aside.
  • Dip each chicken piece first in the seasoned flour, transfer it to the milk and egg mixture, and finally back into the flour.
  • Heat the oil to 350 degrees F and gently place the coated chicken drumsticks inside the hot oil. Fry on medium heat until golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked inside. Flip the drumsticks between each fry cycle.
  • Remove from heat and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 547mg | Potassium: 246mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 280IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1.4mg

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4.82 from 69 votes (48 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




LuckyLady

Saturday 4th of January 2025

This chicken came out amazing The only thing I did different was marinated the chicken in buttermilk with fresh onions and seasoning for 36 hours prior to frying and then strained the chicken before I cooked It was so good No complaints even from my picky eater

Chef Lola's Kitchen

Monday 20th of January 2025

So happy to see this feedback. I love that you added additional tips. Well done, luckylady.

Ashley

Tuesday 31st of December 2024

Chef Lola's fried chicken recipe fights crime. Seriously. I made it with someone else's (not Lola's) easier and more mediocre Jollof Rice recipe, which was fine because it allowed the flavors here to take center stage. I was careful to follow Lola's instructions exactly, including the temperature of the meat and the oil. This really helped to make sure the outside was crispy and the meat was cooked.

Chef Lola's Kitchen

Monday 20th of January 2025

Thanks Ashley.

Amy

Monday 18th of November 2024

DELISH! My new favorite fried chicken recipe now! Perfectly crispy, great flavor I used 2tsp of salt and I could of added more (I love my salt)! Thank you!

Chef Lola's Kitchen

Sunday 15th of December 2024

Great one, Amy👍

Chuck

Sunday 10th of November 2024

Frying in lard and bacon grease as we speak!!

Chef Lola's Kitchen

Sunday 17th of November 2024

Interesting. I hope it came out well. Looking forward to your feedback 😁

Maja

Thursday 22nd of August 2024

I’m a vegan following the recipe for my daughter who wanted fried chicken. She said how did you make the best chicken I ever had!? I said “followed Lola’s recipe”. So thanks!

Chef Lola's Kitchen

Tuesday 27th of August 2024

Wow. The fact that you made a delicious one for you daughter despite being a vegan is beautiful. Well done, Maja.

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