Is your dinner being a little too boring for your liking and you are looking for a way to liven it up? Your search ends here! We introduce our KFC-style Mexican Chicken Drumsticks that will bring exotic taste and smell to your food which is bound to melt in your mouth. An entire cooked chicken marinated in succulent chicken meat and fragrant Mexican spices, takes you through an inspiration from the gorgeously busy streets of Mexico. Even if it’s just a normal weekday and you are tired of eating the same boring food, these drumsticks are made to become the stars of the show and gain popularity in the entire household. In this blog, we will guide you through the process of preparing this awesome dish in a few easy steps and try to make sure that cooking is a delightful experience for everyone. Do keep your acrylic nails for later because you will need to use your fingers to eat! When you try this recipe, be prepared to enjoy every single morsel and each time contrasting flavors in your mouth!
How Do You Make an Authentic Mexican Chicken Drumsticks Recipe?
What Ingredients Are Needed for Mexican Chicken Drumsticks?
To achieve authenticity when preparing Mexican Chicken Drumsticks, the following are the necessary ingredients:
- 8 to 10 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Pure salt and black pepper as required
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
These ingredients will enable you to create strong and real taste which is associated with Mexican food.
How To Cook Chicken Drumsticks For Maximum Flavor; The Mexican Way.
If you want to prepare Mexican Chicken Drumsticks with maximum flavor then do the following:
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, add olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the drumsticks to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and store in the refrigerator for not less than one hour and for up to overnight for the best results.
- Preheat the Oven: Adjust your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: ‘Foil’ or ‘parchment paper’ a ‘baking’ sheet and then set a wire rack over it. This will cause the heated air to circulate and evenly cook the drumsticks.
- Bake the Drumsticks: Place the marinated drumsticks over the ready rack and place in the hot I for three to thirty-five minutes or until the brown chicken changes to golden brown and registers an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.
- Finish and Serve: Take the oven and let them cool for a couple of minutes before adding cilantro on top. These are ideally served with your favorite side ‘dishes’ which will offer great taste.
What Are the Steps to Bake Mexican Chicken Drumsticks?
- Marinate the Chicken: Mix olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Coat the drumsticks in the marinade and refrigerate.
- Preheat the Oven: Warm the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line the baking sheet and place a wire rack on top.
- Bake the Drumsticks: Bake the drumsticks on the rack for 30-35 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Let rest before garnishing with cilantro and serving.
What Makes Mexican Chicken Drumsticks Unique?
What’s Why Mexican Food Is Spicy?
To start off, Mexican food can be characterized as spicy due to the presence of many different kinds of chili which, in turn mixes with many different spices that heighten the overall taste of a dish. Ingredients like jalapeno and serrano peppers, cumin, and coriander are but few examples that give Mexican dishes their heat. Consequently, there’s a constant interplay between heat, a savory, at times smokey flavor and a slight touch of sourness.
Why Mexican Chicken Is So Spicy When Compared To Other Recipes Of Chicken?
There are indeed significant differences that set chicken recipes that are categorized of Mexican cuisine apart from chicken recipes from other cultures and this is the method to which more spices are used, for instance cumin, chili powder and paprika as well as lime in order to achieve that bold flavor that is infused in the chicken. This is but one of the differences that not only defines Mexican cuisine but blends well with desserts also having such strong preferences.
Which Are The Common Spices Added To Mexican Chicken Drumsticks?
The seasoning used for Mexican style chicken drumsticks would generally consist of cumin, chili powder, paprika, and even coriander. These specific seasonings help in providing the dish with its signature taste by adding spiciness, sweetness and richness. Other common flavoring herbs also include garlic and oregano which further compliment the dish.
Can You Pair Mexican Chicken Drumsticks with Rice?
Instructions to Make Spanish Rice with Chicken Drumsticks.
Spanish rice with chicken drumsticks can be prepared easily by first browning the chicken drumsticks in a large hot skillet with a little olive oil till they turn golden, then removing drumsticks. In the same pan, sauté onions in strangely hot butter, followed by garlic and bell peppers. Incorporated uncooked rice to the pan and lightly browned it. Add tomato paste, some of the chicken broth already made, and some spices such as cumin and paprika. Place the browned drumsticks back in the pan with the rice, cover and cook till the rice is soft and drumsticks are cooked through. Add pieces of fresh cilantro and lime juice on top as a garnish and for a tangy taste.
What Are Some Other Type Rice To Accompany Mexican Chicken?
Cilantro lime rice is one of the rice variants that goes well with Mexican chicken drumsticks, as it adds a fresh and tangy touch to the dish. Mexican corn rice is also good as it adds sweetness and texture due to the addition of corn kernels. Besides, black bean rice is nutritious, protein rich side dish which enhances the nutritional value of the meal in addition to the spicy and smoky flavors of the chicken.
How Do You Reheat Leftover Mexican Chicken Drumsticks?
The Best Method of Reheating Chicken Drumsticks
According to our experts, the oven should be used when reheating chicken drumsticks in order to achieve uniform heating. The oven is first heated to 350 degrees (175 °C ) level. The drumsticks are placed on a baking sheet covered by aluminum foil that has been greased to keep them wet. It is recommended to alter for around 15 to 20 minutes or until the inner temperature hits 165 degrees (74 °C ). This approach helps in sustaining the tastiness and the slow cooked chicken while retaining the ingredients against drying out.
How to Serve Mexican Chicken Drumsticks?
What to Pair with Spanish Rice or Other Sides
Spanish chicke works great with Mex-style chicken legs as far as sides are concerned. Once again, Spanish rice is a good pairing, this time for its somewhat tomato and spices flavor that matches up with the chicken. In other instances, it can also be served with refreshing guacamole or a crispy Mexican salad which can further enhance the taste. Additionally, corn tortillas or even bread are suitable alternatives to use if there is a sauce left on the plate.
How to Complete the Fiesta Meal
In other words, the meal can be paired with quite a number of sides and accompaniment which is ideal in completing the Mexican style chicken leg fiesta meal. First, a bed of Spanish rice or rice with cilantro-lime is perfect with a side of refried black beans together with a fresh pico de gallo for flavor. Creaminess can be achieved through guacamole or avocado salad, which would be pleasantly accented by tangy corn salsa. Finally, it would be ideal to end the meal with warm tortillas or bread for the fullness.
Salsa and Other Garnishes
To make the Mexican chicken drumsticks more pleasant, pour some fresh salsa over the meat. Salsa pico de gallo or salsa verde can also be used, and both ingredients are quick and intensive in flavor. Furthermore, feel free to use toppings made from fresh chopped cilantro or diced onions, or even drizzle some lime juice to add freshness to the dish. These simple changes however add value to the meal and create different tastes and mouthfeel.
Reference sources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What ingredients do I need for an authentic Mexican chicken drumsticks recipe?
A: To make authentic Mexican chicken drumsticks, you will definitely need chicken legs, taco seasoning, garlic powder, and de Ro-tel. You can also combine the items using a blender and even incorporate a little oil to achieve a beautiful skin.
Q: Instead of using chicken legs, may I use chicken breast in this recipe?
A: Yes, you should use chicken breast or chicken thighs if this is your preference. However, it is recommended to use chicken legs as these are very tender and give a savory finish when baked.
Q: For how long are Mexican chicken legs cooked?
A: The cooking time is roughly within about 40 minutes. Ensure you bake at high temperature to get the chicken skin well golden browned and crispy.
Q: I wish to enhance the flavor of my chicken legs; how do I accomplish this?
A: Marinating the chicken legs in taco seasoning and garlic powder will deeply infuse flavor into the meat. You may even want to add slightly more lime or chile to give it a bit more of a kick. This straightforward chicken does not require Joe’s Cantina in order to have a quick weeknight supper.
Q: What are some good Mexican sides to accompany these chicken legs?
A: Tacos, rice, beans, and even a fresh salad may go as sides to the Mexican chicken legs. You can of course shred the chicken and fill tacos or burritos along with other accompaniments for a full meal.
Q: Is it possible to prepare this recipe in half the time that is currently required in the second half of this article?
A: Of course, try using boneless chicken thighs. You should cook over high heat to save time: this allows for a tender finished product ready to eat sooner.
Q: Is it possible to complete this dish a day in advance?
A: Yes! You may carefully marinate the chicken legs first and chill them in the refrigerator. All you would have to do when you are ready to cook is reapply the marinade and bake the chicken. That is a hassle-free way of preparing such an exquisite dish in no time.
