10 Ways to Reinvent Chicken Drumsticks

Give your basic, weeknight drumsticks an upgrade with these clever ideas — that are guaranteed to please the whole family.

By: Food Network Kitchen

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Photo By: Armando Rafael

Photo By: RYAN DAUSCH

Drumroll, Please

Flavorful, inexpensive and easy to prepare, chicken drumsticks are a busy family's secret weapon for pulling weeknight dinners together. There's nothing wrong with simple, traditional seasoning (like olive oil, salt and pepper) and roasting — but these sauced-up, creative new takes will definitely impress the littlest critics at your table.

Chicken Parmesan Drumsticks

Here, chicken Parmesan is transformed into a one-pan meal you can eat out of hand. The drumsticks are oven-fried, then topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella and baked until the cheese is gooey.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Drumsticks

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Drumsticks

This is a faster version of fried chicken, using everyday pantry items. A quick toss in buttermilk and yellow mustard brings tangy flavor to the chicken, and the cornflake-herb crust offers a nice crunch.

Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Thai-Style Satay Drumsticks

This easy recipe translates that favorite Thai appetizer, chicken satay, into a more substantial dinner.

Get the Recipe: Thai-Style Satay Drumsticks

Carolina Barbecue Drumsticks

This tangy Carolina-style barbecue dish comes together completely on the stovetop. The sauce thickens while the drumsticks simmer, making for an easy weeknight dinner. It also keeps well, so it's a great make-ahead dish. Serve with buttered potato rolls and slaw for a complete meal.

Get the Recipe: Carolina Barbecue Drumsticks

Mild Buffalo Drumsticks

These have all the flavor of Buffalo wings, but with the heat dialed back, so they can please every palate. If you prefer yours spicy, simply increase the amount of hot sauce. Drumsticks make a substantial meal, and oven-roasting gets them crispy without the fuss of frying. You can substitute blue cheese dip for ranch.

Get the Recipe: Mild Buffalo Drumsticks

Slow-Cooker Asian-Style Drumsticks

Assemble this in the morning, and when you return for dinner you'll be rewarded with sweet, sticky drumsticks with an irresistible sauce that thickens and concentrates as the drumsticks cook.

Get the Recipe: Hoisin and Honey Slow-Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken Adobo

From the Philippines, this super-easy one-pot dish can be prepped the night before to make it more doable on a weeknight. Once the chicken is tender, it gets browned quickly under the broiler while the cooking liquid boils down into a sauce. Serve with rice to complete the meal.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Adobo

Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

When the weather is warm, grilling is one of our favorite ways to get a quick, weeknight dinner on the table. Spiced up with chile peppers, thyme, brown sugar, allspice and cloves, these quick-and-easy drumsticks are full of flavor. Want to control the level of heat? Use fewer peppers (or skip them altogether) in the marinade.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

Hawaii Fried-O

These coconut crusted drumsticks are easily doable on a weeknight if you pop them in the refrigerator to marinate the night before.

Get the Recipe: Hawaii Fried-O

Korean Fried Chicken

This double-fried chicken is worth the extra step — the coating on the drumsticks is incredibly crunchy and delicious. Pro tip: Brush the chicken with the Korean-inspired sauce right before serving so that it doesn’t get soggy.

Get the Recipe: Korean Fried Chicken with Soy-Garlic Glaze