How to Cook Chicken Drumsticks on the Stove

three stove top chicken drumsticks sprinkled with parsley.

4.80 from 24 votes

How to Cook Chicken Drumsticks on the Stove

Learn how to cook chicken drumsticks on the stove; it’s easy and delicious. All you need are the chicken legs, a pan, and some spices. A basic recipe ready in 30minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Course: Poultry

Cuisine: American

Diet: Diabetic

Servings: servings

Calories: 153kcal

Author: Adina Beck

Equipment

1 large skillet or nonstick pan
Tongs

Ingredients

6 chicken drumsticks about 2 lbs/ 900 g
3 teaspoons chicken seasoning Note 1
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt or Kosher Note 2
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup beer Note 3

US - EU

Instructions

Season: Pat the meat dry with paper towels. Add seasoning and rub well to coat all over.
6 chicken drumsticks + 3 teaspoons chicken seasoning + ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt or Kosher + ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Pan-fry: Heat the oil in a large pan on the stovetop. Cook the drumsticks for 4-5 minutes per side on medium heat. Use tongs to flip them.
1 tablespoon olive oil
Simmer drumsticks: Add liquid to the pan. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, turn the heat down to medium-low or low, and cook slowly for 10 minutes.
½ cup beer or another liquid of choice
Flip the drumsticks, cover again, and cook gently for 7 to 10 minutes or until cooked through (Note 4).
Check: The internal temperature should be 165°F/ 74°C. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, cut one drumstick near the bone. The flesh should be white and juicy; there should be no traces of pink left.

Notes

Seasoning: Use your favorite brand. You can also try lemon pepper, Cajun, Italian, or Taco seasoning. You can stick to salt and pepper or add paprika, garlic powder, dried herbs, or other spices to the salt and pepper.
Amount of salt: Use just a pinch if the chicken seasoning or the chicken stock (if using) already contains salt.
Liquid: You can also use low-sodium chicken stock or water.
The cooking time depends on the size of the drumsticks; if they are larger, you might want to add a few minutes to the cooking time. The best way to check is with a digital meat thermometer.

Nutrition