Freezer Find #2: Hot & Smoky Drumsticks

We're still cleaning out the freezer over here.  A few nights ago I came across a bag of frozen drumsticks in the bottom of the deep freeze.  With my packaging intact, I thawed them out and decided to "revive" them.

I'll let you know that I was quite excited to try drumsticks, given that nearly all of my experience cooking chicken has been with white meat.  I grew up never really eating dark meat, but since meeting my husband I've really done a lot in the way of branching out.  I am pretty proud of the look on his face after biting into these guys, though!  This was definitely one of my first rodeos at cooking dark meat.

Here are the foodie items you'll need for the job:

• Chicken legs/drumsticks
• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Garlic powder
• Lemon juice
• EVOO
• S&P
• 2 T Butter

Warning... limited measurements were used in this recipe.

And the tools:

• Gallon size Ziplock bag
• Cast iron skillet
• Broiling pan, or oven safe cooling rack and baking sheet

The prep work:

1. Open the Ziplock bag and fold the sides down toward the outside.  This way you won't make a monsterous mess of the marinating vessel.
2. Drop in the drumsticks.
3. Add a lot of chili powder (enough to get a good spice coating started).
4. Then add almost as much paprika.  Did I mention no measurements were used in this...??
5. Add cayenne pepper.  A little goes a long way here, folks.  Add at your own risk!
6. Add enough garlic powder to lightly dust everything.
7. Add a good amount of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
8. Throw in a few dashes of lemon juice.  Fresh squeezed isn't really imperative in this dish.
9. Then finally, a drizzle of EVOO.
10. Seal the bag, getting as much air out as possible, mix the chicken and spices around, then marinate in the fridge until about 10 minutes before you're ready to cook.

Showtime:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Remove the chicken from the fridge and let it warm up a bit for more even cooking.
3. Heat the cast iron skillet to high heat adding the butter and a drizzle of EVOO.  Why both?  The butter allows for browning and keeps the oil from burning.
4. Sear the drumsticks on all sides in the hot pan, cooking on each "side" for about 3 minutes.
5. Place chicken on broiling rack and cook in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes.

We enjoyed this with spicy tomato green beans and whole wheat mac & cheese.  Doesn't get much better than that!

Any comments/suggestions/ideas/requests, send 'em my way!!  Happy eating!