This was my first time buying drumsticks. Can you believe that? I eat chicken almost every day, but I’ve never made anything but chicken breast until recently when I started roasting whole chickens. But buying legs, thighs, wings? All new to me. As I was eating through a whole chicken last week, I realized the thighs and legs were my favorite parts. Duh. They have the most fat and therefore the most flavor.
So I decided to experiment with cooking drumsticks. They’re often marinated in bbq sauce, buffalo sauce, or hot sauce, but I just wasn’t feelin that. I searched for other recipes on pinterest and came up empty handed. Then it struck me. PESTO. My basil plant had been taunting me for days and I finally gave in. I finally had a reason to make pesto. Not that you necessarily need a reason, I mean, pesto is good on basically everything. Eggs, salad, fish, my spoon, anything.
This recipe couldn’t be easier! If you have yourself together, letting the chicken marinate in the pesto for 30-60 minutes before you bake it. But who has time for that? And if you’re ultra lazy, you can buy pesto from the store. Just make sure it’s dairy free!
While the chicken is in the oven, you can get your life together and cook some veggies to go with it. I paired my chicken with cauliflower mash and roasted brussel sprouts. This combo was to die for. In fact, I’d like this to be my last meal. If someone could please make note of that, please and thank you.
The skin was crispy, the meat was tender, the pesto was fresh. What more could you ask for?? Well, this recipe is 100% paleo and whole30 approved! And if that isn’t enough, you can save the bones for making broth! Holla for delicious and frugal cooking!
Let me know if you try out this recipe! Pesto everything, am I right? Enjoy! 😉
