Pecan Crusted Chicken Drumsticks

Elevate your weeknight dinner with these irresistibly crunchy and flavorful Pecan Crusted Chicken Drumsticks! This easy baked chicken recipe features tender drumsticks coated in a savory blend of finely chopped pecans, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic spices like paprika, garlic powder, and thyme. Perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside, these drumsticks are baked to golden perfection in just 40 minutes. Ideal for family dinners or casual entertaining, they pair beautifully with roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, or creamy mashed potatoes. A healthy alternative to fried chicken, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with its irresistible nutty crust and bold seasoning.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 pieces chicken drumsticks
• 1.5 cups pecans
• 0.5 cups breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
• 0.25 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon water
• 0.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or nonstick spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly oil or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2

Place the pecans in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, but not powdery. Transfer the chopped pecans to a shallow dish and mix with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and water.

Step 4

Place the flour in a third shallow dish.

Step 5

Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Dredge each drumstick in the flour, shaking off the excess. Dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated, and then press it into the pecan mixture, covering the drumstick entirely.

Step 6

Place the coated drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are spaced apart.

Step 7

Lightly drizzle the drumsticks with olive oil or spray them with nonstick cooking spray to help the coating crisp up as it cooks.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the drumsticks are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.

Step 9

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1244.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3333.6

Total Fat 228.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 32.4g
Cholesterol 1136mg	0%
Sodium 3807.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 114.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.6g	0%
Total Sugars 10.8g
Protein 225.1g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 537.0mg	0%
Iron 19.1mg	0%
Potassium 2778.4mg	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: 60.2%

Protein: 26.4%

Carbs: 13.4%