Crispy Skillet Chicken Drumsticks
Simple, very tasty, easy - an everyday meal for the whole family! Skillet chicken drumsticks with a crispy crust turn out tender and juicy thanks to quick marinating. Serve with any side dish, even dry ones like boiled rice or buckwheat - especially with a sauce.
Updated : 21 January, 2026
Easy
About 20 min.
Ingredients
900 grams
Chicken
50 milliliters
Soy sauce
1 tablespoon
Basil
to taste
Salt
to taste
Ground black pepper
30 grams
Vegetable oil
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
How do you cook chicken drumsticks in a skillet with a crispy crust? Prepare the ingredients. You can use any chicken parts - drumsticks, thighs, breast, or wings. I’m using drumsticks. The key is that the chicken is fresh: the skin should be light pink, without any film, and the meat should be dry and clean. Choose chilled chicken. If it was previously frozen, the finished dish may turn out dry and tough.
Step 2
To give the dish a zesty flavor and aroma, marinate the chicken briefly. For the marinade, use a bowl that’s convenient for marinating. Pour in soy sauce and add a little salt, dried basil, and ground black pepper. Mix well. When using soy sauce, be careful with extra salt, because soy sauce is already salty.
Step 3
Before frying, place the drumsticks on a paper towel and pat them dry to remove excess moisture. If the chicken is wet, the hot oil will splatter when you add it to the pan, and the moisture will prevent a crispy crust from forming.
Step 4
Heat a skillet until hot and add a little vegetable oil. Place the drumsticks into the hot oil. Sear over high heat on both sides for a couple of minutes. A crust will form, “sealing” the meat so it keeps its juices inside.
Step 5
Once the drumsticks are golden, reduce the heat and continue frying for about 10 minutes per side. To keep the crust crisp, do not cover with a lid.
Step 6
Serve the chicken hot. Add any side dish or fresh vegetables. Enjoy your meal!
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