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+ servings
spicy fried chicken drumsticks on plate.

Spicy Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Author: Sarah Jenkins
These spicy fried chicken drumsticks are super crispy, extra juicy, and loaded with flavor. The perfect fried chicken recipe for your next picnic!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Time to marinate 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 798 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 10 chicken drumsticks
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 qt buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce I like Franks Red Hot Sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • peanut oil for frying
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoon chopped parsley for garnish
  • 1 chopped serrano pepper (seeds removed) for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the chicken drumsticks and pat them dry. Place them in a large casserole dish.
  • Salt and pepper each side of the chicken.
  • Mix the buttermilk, hot sauce, and ½ Tablespoon Cayenne pepper together in a large bowl. (Feel free to add extra hot sauce if you love the heat.)
  • Pour the buttermilk mixture over the chicken, cover, and let sit for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  • Use a large, deep pan, or a fryer pot to heat the oil. Heat oil to 350° F.
  • While your oil and oven are warming up, mix the flour, garlic, paprika, and remaining cayenne pepper in a large bowl.
  • Remove the chicken from the fridge and begin dredging each drumstick in the flour mixture. (I did this in batches, about 3 or so at a time).
  • Fry the chicken in batches for about 15 minutes per batch, or until the chicken is a nice golden color. The internal temperature of your chicken should be about 180° F.
  • Once the chicken is done, place it on a paper towel-lined pan and cover to keep warm (or place them in a warming drawer if you have one.)
  • Before serving, garnish the chicken with the parsley and Serrano peppers, if desired. (Be careful with the peppers – they are fairly hot. Make sure to wash your hands after handling!

Notes

Adapted slightly from this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 798kcalCarbohydrates: 85gProtein: 51gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 200mgSodium: 535mgPotassium: 891mgFiber: 3gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1041IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 309mgIron: 6mg
Keyword fried chicken, grilled chicken drumsticks, hot chicken
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!