What Are Chicken Drumsticks?
Chicken drumsticks are the lower portion of the chicken’s leg. They’re also known as “drumette” and “drumstick.”
The meat in a drumstick is leaner than that of other cuts of chicken, which makes it a good choice for those trying to lose weight or eat healthier.
Chicken drumsticks have more protein than other parts of the bird (about 27 grams per serving), but they contain less fat than white meat (around 2 grams).
How to Prepare Chicken Drumsticks for Boiling
First, you need to select the drumsticks. It is best to choose those that are plump and have a rich color because they will be more tender when cooked.
If you get them from a butcher or supermarket, ask them to cut off the excess skin at the bottom of each drumstick so that it doesn’t burn during boiling time.
You can also do this yourself with a sharp knife if you don’t want to buy prepared ones.
Next, prepare your chicken drumsticks for boiling by washing them thoroughly in cold water before placing them in an airtight container filled with enough brine so that they are completely submerged in liquid while storing them in your refrigerator for up-to 2 days maximum.
Otherwise use within 24 hours after purchasing from store shelves!
How Long to Boil Chicken Drumsticks
To boil chicken drumsticks, you’ll need to know how long to cook them. The easiest way to determine this is by using a meat thermometer.
The USDA recommends cooking chicken drumsticks until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Cooking times will vary depending on whether you’re using whole or cut-up chicken drumsticks, as well as how thickly the meat is sliced or cubed. For example:
- Whole bone-in chicken legs take about 20 minutes per pound at a full rolling boil in salted water with 2 tablespoons of vinegar added per quart of water (to help keep the skin from becoming rubbery).
- Thighs are considered done when they reach an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (82 C) on an instant-read thermometer inserted into their thickest part without touching bone; larger pieces may need longer than smaller ones due to uneven heat distribution throughout their mass during cooking; if unsure whether yours are ready yet just remove one piece from pot then check it immediately after removing if it’s still pink inside return everything back into boiling liquid until fully cooked through again before serving
Tips for Boiling Chicken Drumsticks
- Make sure you have enough water in the pot to cover your drumsticks by at least an inch. If not, add more until they’re covered.
- Add some salt and pepper to season the cooking liquid. You can also add other spices if you want–garlic powder or paprika are great options!
- Use a lid on top of your pot so that steam doesn’t escape during boiling time (about 15 minutes). This will help keep moisture inside and make sure everything stays juicy and flavorful!
Common Mistakes When Boiling Chicken Drumsticks
- Overcooking the drumsticks. If you’re boiling chicken drumsticks, it’s important to keep an eye on them so that they don’t overcook and become tough. If you like your meat well done, then this won’t be a problem for you but if not, make sure that you check on them regularly and remove them from the heat when they reach your desired level of doneness (about 20 minutes should do).
- Not using enough salt in the cooking liquid. Adding salt helps draw moisture out of foods as they cook, which means that less water will remain in contact with them after being removed from heat than would otherwise be present if no salt had been added at all; this results in more flavorful food with less overall fat content than its unsalted counterpart would have had!
Safety Tips for Boiling Chicken Drumsticks
When boiling chicken, it’s important to ensure that the meat is cooked to the proper temperature.
To do this, use a meat thermometer and check for doneness at least twice during cooking: once when you put the chicken in and again when it’s about halfway done.
If you want to be extra safe and avoid getting sick, wash your hands with soap after handling raw poultry or washing utensils used for raw poultry.
To avoid cross-contamination (the spread of bacteria from one food item to another), keep raw meats separate from other foods in your refrigerator by storing them on separate shelves or sections of drawers and never place cooked meats back into containers with uncooked ones!
How to Serve Boiled Chicken Drumsticks
- Serve the chicken drumsticks as is.
- Add a sauce or glaze to the cooked meat.
- Shred the cooked meat for tacos or sandwiches.
Other Recipes Using Boiled Chicken Drumsticks
If you’re looking for a way to use up the boiled chicken drumsticks, there are plenty of options.
You can add them to soups or casseroles, throw them into salads and quesadillas, or even use them as an ingredient in stir-fries.
Healthy Alternatives to Boiled Chicken Drumsticks
- Turkey drumsticks
- Leaner cuts of chicken, like thighs or breast
- Skinless drumsticks
Conclusion
So, what have we learned?
- Chicken drumsticks are an excellent choice for a quick and easy dinner.
- The boiling time will depend on the size of your chicken drumsticks, but it should be between 20 and 30 minutes to ensure that they’re fully cooked through.
- If you want to make sure that all parts of the meat are cooked evenly, use a meat thermometer to test for doneness before serving.