Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks

Baked or air fried lemon pepper Chicken drumsticks with an easy lemon butter sauce.

Course Main Course

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Servings

Calories 412kcal

Author Chhavi

Ingredients

2 Lbs Chicken drumsticks
1 Lemon Zest and juice ; divided
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper Crushed or use Lemon Pepper Seasoning
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Teaspoon Paprika
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Avocado Oil Spray
1 Teaspoon Thyme
Salt as per taste

Sauce

2 tablespoon Butter Salted or unsalted
½ Lemon Juice
½ Tablespoon Lemon zest
1 Teaspoon Garlic powder or crushed garlic
1 Tablespoon Parsley or chopped parsley
Salt as per taste

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

Zest the lemon with a grater.Use about ½ tablespoon of it. Reserve rest for the sauce.
Mix toghether the lemon zest,thyme paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder.Give it a taste and adjust the salt.
To the dry mix, add the baking powder.(This will crisp up the chicken)
Wipe the moisture off the chicken useing a kitchen towel.This will help in baking the chicken to a crisp perfection.
Toss the chicken in the dry mix.Set aside till you preheat the oven or air fryer.

Air fryer instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400 F for 3-5 minuetes.
Spray the bottom with oil so that the chicken doesnt stick to the bottom.
Place the chicken, spray or drizle oil over.
Air fry for 18-20 minutes till the chicken is cooked.Use tongs to turn the chicken midway for even cooking.
Check the chicken by cutting the thickest part of the drumstick.If you do not see any translucent bits, its cooked!

Baking Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400 F for 10 minutes.
Place the chicken on a baking sheet.If you have it, then the wire baking sheet.
Bake for 25 minutes, turning the chicken midway to ensure even cooking.

Sauce

In a micowave safe bowl, add butter, rest of the ½ tablsepoon lemon zest, juice of half a lemon,garlic powder and parsley.
Microwave for 1 minute till the sauce is bubbly.Let it cool, taste and adjust salt.
Toss the chicken in the sauce and serve!

Notes

Note on Lemon Pepper Seasoning- Use store-bought lemon Pepper Seasoning instead of lemon zest and black pepper. Most store-bought seasonings are just a combination of dehydrated lemon peel and black pepper. Some have garlic powder and coriander seeds in it, too.

If you already have it, use the seasoning otherwise, use lemon zest and pepper as I have.

Baking Powder - Baking powder helps remove the moisture from the chicken skin, making it crispier. You can also use this trick while making homemade chicken wings.

A complete dinner: Serve this with quickly sauteed buttery green beans, broccolini or asparagus. Lately, we have been eating everything with crispy air-fried broccoli.It's the best healthy thing to happen to us!

Nutrition