Description
Smoky grilled chicken drumsticks bring Mediterranean zest to your summer table. Marinated in herbs and olive oil, these juicy drumsticks promise a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 20 large chicken drumsticks (about 5 pounds or 2.27 kilograms)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 6 tablespoons harissa paste
- 15 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons sumac
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Liquid and Aromatic Ingredients:
- 2 large limes or lemons, juiced
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large red onion, sliced
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by blending garlic, harissa paste, nutmeg, sumac, thyme, citrus juice, and olive oil into a smooth, fluid mixture using a food processor.
- Pat chicken drumsticks completely dry with paper towels, applying a light seasoning of salt and pepper.
- Generously coat drumsticks with the prepared marinade, massaging the mixture thoroughly underneath the skin to maximize flavor absorption.
- Incorporate sliced onions into the marinating chicken, ensuring even distribution of aromatics.
- Transfer drumsticks and marinade to a sealed container or zip-top bag, allowing flavors to meld in the refrigerator for a minimum of four hours or preferably overnight.
- Remove chicken from refrigerator approximately 30 minutes before grilling to reach ambient temperature.
- Ignite the outdoor grill, establishing a consistent medium heat zone for even cooking.
- Arrange drumsticks across the grill grates, carefully removing excess marinade to prevent flame flare-ups.
- Close grill lid and rotate drumsticks every eight minutes, maintaining consistent heat exposure.
- Continue grilling for approximately 35-40 minutes until chicken reaches complete internal doneness.
- Discard used marinade and onions to prevent potential cross-contamination.
- Plate the succulent grilled drumsticks alongside complementary side dishes and preferred condiments, providing ample napkins for a messy, delightful meal.
Notes
- Preserve marinade flavors by massaging spices deep into chicken skin for maximum taste absorption.
- Refrigeration transforms simple ingredients into a flavor-packed culinary experience, allowing harissa and herbs to deeply penetrate meat fibers.
- Grill technique ensures even cooking, creating crispy exterior while maintaining juicy, tender chicken interior with strategic turning every few minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg