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Enjoy moist and flavorful Mediterranean oven-baked chicken drumsticks. Marinated in a blend of Turkish-inspired spices, yogurt, and roasted garlic, these drumsticks boast a crispy, seasoned skin and tender, juicy meat. Perfect for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 20 minutes.
Cook Time: 25 minutes
How Many Servings?
6 servings
Ingredients:
1X
2X
3X
Adjust Servings
| 12 chicken drumsticks | |
| ½ cup yogurt | |
| 2 tablespoons red pepper paste | |
| 1 tablespoon dry oregano | |
| ½ teaspoon chili flakes | |
| 1 teaspoon ground cardamom | |
| 1 teaspoon cumin | |
| 1 teaspoon turmeric | |
| 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper | |
| 1 teaspoon sumac | |
| 1 teaspoon paprika | |
| ½ teaspoon black pepper | |
| 2 teaspoons salt | |
| 10 cloves roasted garlic minced ( please see my tip below) | |
| Juice of 1 lemon | |
| 2 tablespoons olive oil |
Yogurt-feta Dipping Sauce
| 11/2 cups of Greek yogurt | |
| 1 clove garlic minced | |
| 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint | |
| 1 tablespoon dry dill | |
| 1/2 cup of feta cheese | |
| juice of one lime and one lemon | |
| salt and pepper to taste |
Preparation
1
Clean and Prep the Chicken
Start by soaking the chicken drumsticks in a mixture of white vinegar and salt for a few minutes to help clean and tenderize. Rinse thoroughly under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels.
Start by soaking the chicken drumsticks in a mixture of white vinegar and salt for a few minutes to help clean and tenderize. Rinse thoroughly under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels.
2
Make the Mediterranean Marinade
In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, red pepper paste, dried oregano, chili flakes, cardamom, cumin, turmeric, Aleppo pepper, sumac, paprika, black pepper, salt, smashed roasted garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Mix well until everything is fully blended into a smooth, flavorful marinade.
In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, red pepper paste, dried oregano, chili flakes, cardamom, cumin, turmeric, Aleppo pepper, sumac, paprika, black pepper, salt, smashed roasted garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Mix well until everything is fully blended into a smooth, flavorful marinade.
3
Marinate the Chicken
Add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl of marinade, making sure each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for a deeper flavor.
Add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl of marinade, making sure each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for a deeper flavor.
4
Bake the Chicken Drumsticks
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the marinated drumsticks in a deep baking pan, spacing them out evenly for even cooking. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cooking times may vary, so be sure to check with a meat thermometer for accuracy.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the marinated drumsticks in a deep baking pan, spacing them out evenly for even cooking. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cooking times may vary, so be sure to check with a meat thermometer for accuracy.
5
Serve and Enjoy
Once the drumsticks are fully cooked, remove them from the oven and serve hot. For the perfect Mediterranean touch, pair them with a refreshing yogurt-feta dipping sauce. Enjoy your tender, flavor-packed oven-baked chicken drumsticks!
Once the drumsticks are fully cooked, remove them from the oven and serve hot. For the perfect Mediterranean touch, pair them with a refreshing yogurt-feta dipping sauce. Enjoy your tender, flavor-packed oven-baked chicken drumsticks!
6
Yogurt-Feta Dipping Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine 1½ cups Greek yogurt, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, 1 tablespoon dried dill, ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, and the juice of one lime and one lemon. Mix well until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and finish with a sprinkle of sumac for a bright, tangy kick.
In a medium bowl, combine 1½ cups Greek yogurt, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, 1 tablespoon dried dill, ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, and the juice of one lime and one lemon. Mix well until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and finish with a sprinkle of sumac for a bright, tangy kick.
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
How Do I Store Leftovers?
If you happen to have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. To reheat chicken drumsticks, you can either microwave them, put them in the oven, or heat them in the air fryer. If you reheat them in the microwave, heat them for about a minute at a time until they are warm. Using the oven or air fryer is generally a better method for reheating chicken since they will make the skin crispy. To reheat chicken drumsticks, heat them in an oven or air fryer at 375 degrees. The oven will take about 15 minutes, and the air fryer will take anywhere from 6-8 minutes.
Recipe Note: Roasted Garlic Twist
I've used roasted garlic for an extra layer of flavor in this recipe. Roasted garlic has a mellow and slightly sweet taste compared to raw garlic, which enhances the overall depth of the dish. If you haven't tried it before, here's a quick guide to making roasted garlic:
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Take a whole head of garlic and remove the loose outer layers, leaving the skin intact.
Using a sharp knife, slice off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves.
Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the exposed cloves, ensuring they are well coated.
Wrap the garlic head in aluminum foil, creating a sealed packet.
Place the foil packet on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until the cloves are soft and golden brown.
Remove the roasted garlic from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
Gently squeeze the cloves out of their skins by applying light pressure at the base of each clove.
Subtitle (When Rushed for Time): "No Time for Roasted Garlic? No Problem!"
If you're short on time and prefer to skip making roasted garlic, feel free to use 10 cloves of minced raw garlic as a convenient alternative. While the flavors won't be exactly the same, they will still yield delicious results.