Heart-Healthy Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

Fire up your taste buds with these Heart-Healthy Jerk Chicken Drumsticks, a flavorful twist on a Caribbean classic designed with your wellness in mind. This recipe combines lean, protein-packed chicken drumsticks with a vibrant homemade jerk marinade featuring heart-friendly olive oil, fragrant thyme, zesty ginger, and a warm medley of spices like allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A touch of fresh lime juice and low-sodium soy sauce adds tangy depth, while cayenne pepper provides just the right amount of heat. Baked in the oven to golden perfection, these drumsticks offer all the smoky, spiced flavor you love—without the added salt or deep frying. Perfectly suited for a clean eating regimen, serve these delicious jerk drumsticks alongside steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad for a healthy, satisfying meal that’s as good for your heart as it is for your palate.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 pieces Chicken drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 4 cloves Minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger, grated
• 4 stalks Scallions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Allspice
• 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lime juice

Directions

Step 1

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

2. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, thyme, garlic, ginger, scallions, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, black pepper, soy sauce, and lime juice. Mix well to create the jerk marinade.

Step 3

3. Add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl and toss until the drumsticks are well-coated with the marinade.

Step 4

4. Let the drumsticks marinate for at least 10 minutes. For deeper flavor, marinate longer or overnight in the refrigerator.

Step 5

5. Arrange the marinated chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 6

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).

Step 7

7. Remove the drumsticks from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 8

8. Serve the drumsticks with your choice of heart-healthy sides like steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(977.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1723.9

Total Fat 102.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 744mg	0%
Sodium 1814.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 18.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.7g	0%
Total Sugars 2.4g
Protein 183.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 201.9mg	0%
Iron 10.5mg	0%
Potassium 2103.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.4%

Protein: 42.3%

Carbs: 4.2%