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    Home » Chicken » Boiled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

    Published: May 19, 2021 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Boiled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Boiled chicken drumsticks recipe! You get tender, packed full of flavor, juicy chicken legs that you can then serve with side dishes, bake, grill, or fry after. This is an easy, quick recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes. Let me show you how to boil chicken drumsticks in easy, quick steps.

    boiled chicken drumsticks on a white plate.

    Drumstick is one of my favorite chicken parts and there are many ways one can cook it. I have shared my recipes for air fryer chicken drumsticks, and instant pot chicken drumsticks which you all love so it's time to share with you my boiled chicken drumsticks recipe.

    Boiled Chicken Drumsticks

    You will love this boiled chicken drumsticks recipe because it's easy, quick, simple and you can't go wrong with it.

    This recipe works for fresh or frozen drumsticks although it takes longer to boil frozen chicken legs. I have included a cooking time guide.

    You can boil chicken drumsticks to use in other recipes, to serve with side dishes, or as precooking before frying, baking in the oven, or grilling.

    The outcome of this boiled chicken legs is tender, juicy, flavorful chicken that your tastebuds will thank you for.

    boiled chicken drumsticks baked and served.

    Related: Boiled chicken recipe

    Ingredients

    Chicken - drumsticks or leg quarters

    Onion

    Pepper - I used black pepper but you can use cayenne pepper or any other one.

    Thyme

    Bay leaf

    Parsley

    Salt

    Bouillon (Optional)

    How To Boil Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)

    Clean and pat the chicken dry then add them to a pot.

    the drumsticks in a pot.

    Add in chopped onion, thyme, pepper, curry powder, bayleaf and salt.

    all the ingredients in a pot

    Add water to cover the chicken. Let it be an inch above the chicken.

    Season the water with salt well so the chicken doesn't taste bland. The water should taste salty.

    Cover the pot, put on the stove, and boil drumsticks on medium heat for 20 minutes.

    the ingredients and water in a pot.

    After this time, check if the chicken is cooked through.

    cooked drumsticks on a plate.

    You can use an instant thermometer to check. The temperature should be at least over 165F/75C as that is when it is safe to eat.

    If it is, remove the chicken legs from the broth.

    Serve or proceed to fry, grill, broil or bake in the oven.

    To Bake or Fry after Boiling

    To bake after boiling, preheat the oven at a temperature of 220C.

    Put the boiled chicken drumsticks on a baking paper-lined baking tray then put the baking tray in the oven and bake each side for 6 minutes making a total baking time of 12 minutes or till it's golden and crispy.

    Serve and enjoy.

    boiled, baked and served on a white plate.

    How Long To Boil Chicken Legs

    Cooking time depends on factors such as the size of the chicken legs, whether you are cooking them from fresh or frozen. Follow the cooking time guide below for perfectly cooked chicken drumsticks.

    Because sizes varies, cooking time will also change slightly so ensure you check on the chicken after the first 15 minutes.

    If boiling chicken drumsticks from fresh: For medium size chicken legs, the cooking time will be between 18 - 20 minutes.

    To boil frozen chicken drumsticks: The cooking time will be between 25 - 30 minutes.

    For chicken leg quarters: Boil for 20-25 minutes.

    To boil frozen chicken leg quarters: It will take between 25- 35 minutes.

    Ensure that chicken is cooked through before. Use an instant thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should be at least 165F/75C as that is when it is safe to eat.

    What to Serve with

    Some suggestions of delicious side dishes to serve with are:

    Potatoes: Parmentier potatoes, mashed potatoes or boiled potatoes.

    Grains : Long grain rice, bulghur, spicy rice or curry rice.

    Vegetables side dishes like sauteed vegetables, air fryer vegetables, boiled broccoli, and boiled carrots.

    How To Store Cooked Chicken Drumsticks

    When it's completely cooled, pack in a ziploc bag or an airtight container, label and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    In the freezer: It will last up to 4 months in the freezer.

    Reheat in the microwave or stovetop.

    Use leftovers in salads, sandwiches, wraps, soup, stews and more.

    Tips

    • Properly clean the tools used to clean the raw chicken to avoid contamination and food poisoning.
    • Cover the chicken with water at least half an inch or an inch above the drumsticks.
    • Don't forget to check on the chicken so they don't overcook.
    • Use a big enough pot so the drumsticks are not overcrowded in the pot.
    • Let the chicken rest in its broth for few minutes after cooking so it soaks up more flavor.
    • Thicken the broth with cornflour to make gravy or save it and use to cook rice, or recipes that require broth.
    boiled chicken drumsticks on a white plate.

    More Chicken Recipes

    Air fryer chicken legs

    Chicken brine

    Black pepper chicken

    Baked chicken legs

    Orange baked chicken

    I hope you like this recipe as much as we do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

    Don’t want to miss a thing? Subscribe to the blog for free weekly recipes in your email. Also, follow recipe vibes on Instagram and Pinterest. Subscribe to my Youtube channel for recipe videos.

    boiled chicken drumsticks on a white plate.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 9 votes

    Boiled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe (Chicken Legs)

    Boiled chicken drumsticks recipe! You get tender, packed full of flavor, juicy chicken legs that you can then serve with side dishes, bake, grill, or fry after. This is an easy, quick recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes. Let me show you how to boil chicken drumsticks in easy, quick steps.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Course: Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: American, British, International
    Keyword: boiled chicken drumsticks, boiled chicken legs, how to boil chicken drumsticks, how to boil chicken legs
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 155kcal
    Author: Kemi

    Equipment

    • Pot
    • Stove

    Ingredients

    • 6 pieces Chicken drumsticks or leg quarters
    • 1 medium Onion
    • 1 tablespoon Dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon Pepper black pepper or cayenne pepper
    • 1-2 Bay leaves
    • 1 Bouillion optional
    • Salt to taste
    • 1 tablespoon curry powder optional

    Instructions

    • Clean and pat the chicken dry then add them to a pot.
      Add in chopped onion, thyme, pepper, curry powder, bayleaf and salt.
    • Add water to cover the chicken. Let it be an inch above the chicken.
      Season the water with salt well so the chicken doesn't taste bland. The water should taste salty.
    • Cover the pot, put on the stove, and boil drumsticks on medium heat for 20 minutes.
    • After this time, check if the chicken is cooked through.
      You can use an instant thermometer to check. The temperature should be at least over 165F/75C as that is when it is safe to eat.
    • If it is, remove the chicken legs from the broth.
      Serve or proceed to fry, grill, broil or bake in the oven.

    To Bake After Boiling

    • To bake after boiling, preheat the oven at a temperature of 220C.
    • Put the boiled chicken drumsticks on a baking paper-lined baking tray then put the baking tray in the oven and bake each side for 6 minutes making a total baking time of 12 minutes or till it's golden and crispy.
      Serve and enjoy.

    Notes

    Tips
    • Properly clean the tools used to clean the raw chicken to avoid contamination and food poisoning.
    • Cover the chicken with water at least half an inch or an inch above the drumsticks.
    • Don't forget to check on the chicken so they don't overcook.
    • Use a big enough pot so the drumsticks are not overcrowded in the pot.
    • Let the chicken rest in its broth for few minutes after cooking so it soaks up more flavor.
    • Thicken the broth with cornflour to make gravy or save it and use to cook rice, or recipes that require broth.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg

    Related posts:

    One Pot Chicken and Rice
    Pan Fried Chicken Breasts Recipe
    Instant Pot Salmon
    Instant Pot Cake
    « Stove Top Chicken Thighs Recipe
    Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. DEBBIE J RING says

      July 23, 2021 at 11:01 pm

      Why are we needing to pat the chicken legs dry when they go STRAIGHT in the water? Lol Makes no sense

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        July 27, 2021 at 11:19 pm

        I am used to patting chicken dry before seasoning but I get your point.

        Reply
      • Mia says

        December 02, 2021 at 2:23 am

        5 stars
        I think it helps a lot with the seasoning. I typically rub in the seasoning & let it sit on the chicken after I pat it dry, and it seems to absorb more flavor. Lol.

        Reply
    2. Danny Boy Hillman says

      January 05, 2022 at 10:06 pm

      5 stars
      Made it following the great detailed recipe instructions using all options and baked as directed. Only thing I did a little different, because I wanted BBQ, I added BBQ on the second turn. It was delicious! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe!

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        January 11, 2022 at 3:25 am

        Thank you for the feedback.

        Reply
    3. LHarding says

      July 08, 2022 at 12:57 am

      5 stars
      It was delicious. Remind me of my Mom.

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        July 08, 2022 at 11:32 pm

        Aww... Thank you for the feedback 🙂

        Reply
    4. Ray Cotti says

      July 21, 2022 at 7:21 am

      5 stars
      Hi Kemi! You're beautiful! I'm making your recipe now! Living single, I like simple! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        July 26, 2022 at 1:10 am

        Thank you Ray. Enjoy the recipes 🙂

        Reply

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    296 shares
    296 shares