Butterfly drumsticks are a fun to eat crowd pleasing meal that cooks quickly with minimal prep. Air fryer butterfly chicken drumsticks are crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside and loaded with flavor. Marinated cilantro lime chicken legs go well with all of your favorite side dishes for a quick and simple weeknight meal that even the kids will love.
Airfryer chicken drumsticks are trending right now and they are worth all the hype. Butterflying the chicken legs helps them to absorb more flavor and cook quickly so you can feed your family fast. Be prepared because everyone will want seconds of these butterfly drumsticks.
If you love the combination of cilantro and lime, try my Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad, Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken or Cilantro Lime Shrimp.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Butterfly Chicken Drumsticks
- It’s fun for all ages. Butterfly drumsticks are unexpected and fun to to eat for both grownups and kids.
- They are perfect for dipping. Air fryer butterfly chicken drumsticks have lots of surface are so they cook up crispy and are perfect for dipping.
- Taste great cold. Make a big batch and enjoy the leftover cilantro lime chicken legs straight from the fridge for a tasty snack.
Butterfly Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients
- Chicken: drumsticks are the star of this recipe but you can use your favorite chicken cut.
- Lime Juice: freshly squeezed lime juice adds a bright flavor.
- Olive Oil: or use your favorite light, neutral flavored oil,
- Cilantro: chopped adds a burst of flavor
- Garlic: freshly minced garlic is warm and earthy.
- Seasoning: paprika, ground cumin, salt and ground black pepper.
- Lime wedges: to garnish.
How To Make Butterfly Drumsticks
- Butterfly the drumsticks. Pat dry the chicken drumsticks with a kitchen towel. With a sharp knife cut the chicken drumstick until the knife reaches the bone and open it to spread like a wing. Place the chicken in a large bowl and set it aside.
- Marinate the chicken. In a small bowl, whisk the ingredients to marinate the chicken; lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Pour them over the chicken drumsticks and massage the chicken. Allow the chicken to marinate for 1 hour.
- Air fry the chicken. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F for 5 minutes. Spray some oil in the air fryer basket and arrange the chicken drumsticks in a single layer. Air fry the chicken for 18-20 minutes by flipping the chicken halfway through.
- Garnish and serve. Once done, garnish the butterfly chicken with cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side to enjoy.
Tips To Make Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
- Carefully butterfly the drumsticks by cutting to the bone with a sharp knife.
- Rub the marinade into all of the surfaces of the chicken.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for a minimum of 1 hour or up to overnight.
- Preheat the air fryer.
- Place the chicken into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fryer cooking times should be used as a guide. Adjust according to the size of your chicken legs and the make and model of your air fryer.
- Flip the chicken halfway through cooking.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Place the chicken leg on a cutting board with the meatiest side facing up. Use a sharp knife to cut through the meat to the bone being carful not to cut all the way through. Fold open the meat in a butterfly fashion before cooking.
Always check for doneness using a meat thermometer. When inserted into the thickest part of the meat, and instant thermometer should reach a minimum of 165 degrees F.
Allow the chicken to cool completely before adding it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Pop the cilantro lime chicken legs into the microwave until warm or in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to reheat.
Yes. You can freeze leftover wings for 2-3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer or microwave until warmed through.
These airfryer drumsticks go well with just about anything and can be served with all of your favorite side dishes. Try serving with Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese, Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots, Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes, Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries or Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
Place the drumsticks on the grill. Close the lid and allow them to cook for 5-6 minutes on each side. Continue to flip and close the lid every few minutes until they are fully cooked. This should take about 20-25 minutes depending on your grill and the size of the chicken legs..
To bake medium drumsticks, preheat oven at 400°F and cook the drumstick on a wired rack for about 35 minutes, flipping half way through. Cooking time will differ based on the size of the chicken legs. Add more or less time. Internal temperature should always be at 165°F.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Rosemary Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Wing Recipe
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Air fryer butterfly chicken drumsticks recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Butterfly Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 6 large chicken drumsticks with skin
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Lime wedges to garnish
Instructions
- Pat dry the chicken drumsticks with a kitchen towel. With a sharp knife cut the chicken drumstick until the knife reaches the bone and open it to spread like a wing. Place the chicken in a large bowl and set it aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk the ingredients to marinate the chicken; lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Pour them over the chicken drumsticks and massage the chicken. Allow the chicken to marinate for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F for 5 minutes. Spray some oil in the air fryer basket and arrange the chicken drumsticks in a single layer.
- Air fry the chicken for 18-20 minutes by flipping the chicken halfway through.
- Once done, garnish the butterfly chicken with cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side to enjoy.
Notes
- Carefully butterfly the drumsticks by cutting to the bone with a sharp knife.
- Rub the marinade into all of the surfaces of the chicken.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for a minimum of 1 hour or up to overnight.
- Preheat the air fryer.
- Place the chicken into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fryer cooking times should be used as a guide. Adjust according to the size of your chicken legs and the make and model of your air fryer.
- Flip the chicken halfway through cooking.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Hello – These look great! Think it’d still be good if you did them on the grill vs an air fryer?
Hello, yes you can grill them. Adjust cooking time and grill on low so they don’t cook on the inside outside and remain raw internally.