Crunchy Oven-Fried Drumsticks with Thyme & Parmesan

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fat-free buttermilk
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. salt
• 6 (1/4-lb.) skinless chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup whole what panko bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme or 3/4 tsp. dried
• pinch cayenne

Makes 6 Servings (1 drumstick per serving)

1. Combine buttermilk, garlic and salt in a large zip-close plastic bag; add chicken. Squeeze out air and seal bag; turn to coat chicken. Refrigerate, turning bag occasionally, at least 20 minutes or up to 1 day.
2. Place rack on lower third of oven and preheat oven to 400 F. Line baking sheet with foil; spray with nonstick spray.
3. Mix together panko, Parmesan, thyme, and cayenne on sheet of wax paper. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Coat  drumsticks, one at a time, in panko mixture, pressing gently so it adheres. Lightly spray drumsticks with nonstick spray and place on prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake until browned and instant-read thermometer inserted into drumstick (not touching bone) registers 165 F, about 35 minutes.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. If you love fried chicken, this recipe is for you. This version of fried chicken is not actually fried, it's oven-fried or baked in the oven. Oven-fried chicken should be moist and flavorful. Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and adds flavor to it when marinating it. The longer you marinate the chicken in buttermilk, the more flavorful it will be. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts in this recipe and your chicken will still be melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You can also use rosemary, parsley, oregano, or chives in this recipe to. I highly recommend seasoning the chicken with equal portions of salt and freshly ground black pepper for taste. This chicken is perfect for a picnic or as elegant comfort food for company or movie night.