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Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Chimichurri Sauce

4.7 stars, average of 19 ratings

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If you thought you can't make chicken drumsticks crunchier and more flavorful, you haven't tried butterflying them! These drumsticks are perfect for summer barbecues. You can cook them on the grill, in the oven, or like I did, in an my Air Fryer.

Why Should You Butterly Chicken Drumsticks?

The term "butterflied" refers to slicing the chicken drumsticks along the bone to open them up and reveal the bone. Not only they will cook faster but with a larger cooking surface you'll also get crunchier chicken that's still juicy and tender inside!

You can marinate the drumsticks before cooking or simply season with salt, pepper and drizzle with oil. You can then add flavor by using any dips and sauces. Apart from Chimichurri Sauce, try them with our Italian Salsa Verde, Spicy Chocolate BBQ Sauce, Harissa Paste or some sweet Teriyaki Sauce.

Sides to Serve with Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks

You can serve these crunchy drumsticks with any low-carb sides. Here are some of the many options:

Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Chimichurri SaucePin itFollow us 148.4k

Oven Baking Instructions

If you don't have an air fryer, you can simply bake the chicken in the oven. To do that, place the butterflied and seasoned chicken drumsticks skin side up in a tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 200 °C/ 400 °F (fan assisted), or 220 °C/ 425 °F (conventional) for about 30 minutes. An instant read thermometer should read 74 °C/ 165 °F when done.

Hands-on Overall

Serving size 2 chicken drumsticks + 1/4 cup chimichurri

Allergy information for Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Chimichurri Sauce

✔  Gluten free
✔  Dairy free
✔  Egg free
✔  Nut free
✔  Pork free
✔  Avocado free
✔  Coconut free
✔  Fish free
✔  Shellfish free
✔  Beef free

Nutritional values (per serving, 2 chicken drumsticks + 1/4 cup chimichurri)

Net carbs3 grams
Protein27.8 grams
Fat48.6 grams
Calories572 kcal
Calories from carbs 2%, protein 20%, fat 78%
Total carbs4.9 gramsFiber1.9 gramsSugars0.2 gramsSaturated fat8.3 gramsSodium744 mg(32% RDA)Magnesium42 mg(11% RDA)Potassium498 mg(25% EMR)

Ingredients (makes 4 servings)

  • 8 chicken drumsticks (1 kg/ 2.2 lbs)
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp virgin avocado oil or olive oil (30 ml)
  • 1 recipe Chimichurri Sauce, about 1 cup (240 ml/ 8 fl oz)

Instructions

  1. Pat dry the chicken drumsticks using a paper towel. Using a sharp knife, slit open each drumstick to "butterfly". Season with salt and pepper from all sides.
    Note: 1 kg (2.2 lbs) should be 8 to 10 drumsticks. Each chicken drumstick will yield about 60% meat (edible parts). If you're viewing this recipe from the KetoDiet app, you will see net weight per edible parts (meat) only. Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Chimichurri Sauce
  2. Place the drumsticks cut side up in the air-fryer in a single layer. If you have a small air fryer like I do, work in batches so the skin gets nice and crispy.
  3. Drizzle with avocado oil (or olive oil). Turn the air fryer on and set the temperature to 210 °C/ 410 °F and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, turning the drumsticks half way to help the skin crisp up.
    Note: If you don't have an air fryer, check the tips in the recipe post above for oven baking. Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Chimichurri Sauce
  4. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the Chimichurri Sauce by mixing finely chopped parsley, oregano and chile pepper with minced garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. If you prefer your chimichurri super smooth, place in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Chimichurri Sauce
  5. When the chicken is all cooked, remove from the air fryer. If you cooked the drumsticks in batches, place all of them back in the air fryer and cook for another minute or two to heat up and crisp up. Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Chimichurri Sauce
  6. Serve with the prepared chimichurri sauce and sides of choice such as cauliflower rice, roasted green beans or salads.
  7. These crispy air fryer chicken drumsticks are best served immediately while still crispy but they can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Chimichurri Sauce

Ingredient nutritional breakdown (per serving, 2 chicken drumsticks + 1/4 cup chimichurri)

Net carbsProteinFatCalories
Chicken drumsticks, raw
0.2 g27.1 g13.8 g242 kcal
Salt, sea salt
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Pepper, black, spices
0.1 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Avocado oil, extra virgin
0 g0 g7 g62 kcal
Chimichurri sauce
2.8 g0.7 g27.8 g268 kcal
Total per serving, 2 chicken drumsticks + 1/4 cup chimichurri
3 g27.8 g48.6 g572 kcal

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Martina Slajerova
Creator of KetoDietApp.com

Martina Slajerova

I changed the way I ate in 2011, when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. I had no energy, and I found it more and more difficult to maintain a healthy weight.

That’s when I decided to quit sugar, grains, and processed foods, and to start following a whole-foods-based ketogenic approach to food.

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