Firecracker Fried Chicken Drumsticks

4.4
(247)

I tried this deep-fried chicken leg recipe a while ago, and my husband and I fell in love with it. He has to have it at least twice a week. Sometimes I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts in place of the drumsticks as they take less time to cook.

A platter of firecracker fried chicken drumsticks, served with two glasses of beer
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20
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 8 chicken drumsticks, skin removed

  • ¼ cup hot pepper sauce

  • 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

  • cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal

  • ½ teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make firecracker fried chicken drumsticks

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Place chicken into a resealable plastic bag and pour in hot sauce.

    A plastic bag with raw chicken drumsticks and hot sauce

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Massage the bag to coat chicken with sauce, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for spicer chicken.

    A sealed plastic bag with raw chicken drumsticks marinating in hot sauce

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, cornmeal, and salt in another resealable plastic bag.

    A plastic bag with flour, cornmeal, and salt

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Add the marinated drumsticks, seal the bag, and shake to coat.

    A bag of marinated chicken coated in flour-cornmeal mixture

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Fry chicken, uncovered, in the preheated deep fryer, turning occasionally, until golden brown, crispy, and the juices run clear, 25 to 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

    A piece of fried chicken being removed from a large pot of hot oil

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Editor's Note:

We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. The exact amount may vary depending on cook time and temperature, ingredient density, and the specific type of oil used.

270 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

475 Calories
28g Fat
12g Carbs
42g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 475
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 132mg 44%
Sodium 796mg 35%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 42g 83%
Vitamin C 11mg 12%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 3mg 14%
Potassium 388mg 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.