Common Questions on Chicken Drumsticks: Nutrition, Prep, and More!

How were chicken drumsticks initially used?

Chicken has been consumed for food for centuries. It has been depicted as meat in Babylonian carvings from around 600 BC and was one of the most readily available meats in the middle ages. Back in the 16th century, people started referring to this cut of chicken as “drumsticks” because they resembled what percussion drumsticks looked like back in the 1500s. 

What is the nutritional value of chicken drumsticks?

Chicken drumsticks are a great source of protein. A 3.5-ounce serving of boneless, skinless chicken drumstick has about 172 calories. Approximately 70% of a drumstick’s calories come from protein, and 30% are from fat. The dark meat in chicken drumsticks is an excellent source of zinc, iron, and B vitamins. To make your chicken drumsticks even healthier, pair them with a serving of fresh produce, like a salad or some asparagus. 

How are chicken drumsticks made?

Chicken drumsticks are one of the many cuts that come from a chicken. Typically, several drumsticks are packaged together, and they’re sold by the pound. Sometimes, they’re sold as part of a chicken leg, including the drumstick and the chicken’s thigh. Otherwise, they’re unattached. 

What is the shelf life of chicken drumsticks?

You can safely store raw chicken drumsticks in the refrigerator for one to two days. After being cooked, it will remain safe for about four days as long as it’s stored in the fridge. If you freeze your raw chicken drumsticks, they’ll say good for about nine to twelve months. 

What to look for when buying chicken drumsticks?

You’ll find fresh chicken drumsticks in the meat department of your favorite grocery store (near the rest of the poultry). When choosing your package, be sure to check the “best by” date. Unless you’re planning to cook your drumsticks right away, choose a package with a “best by” date that’s as far out from the current date as possible. This will help ensure you’re buying fresh chicken.  

When choosing your package, it’s also a good idea to take a close look at the chicken. If it’s fresh, it will have a pinkish color. Chicken that looks dull or has a grayish color is starting to go bad. If you’re planning to cook your chicken drumsticks with the skin on, look for packages where each piece is fully covered with a thick amount of skin. This is especially important if you’re planning to cook it in a way that creates crispy skin, like deep frying or broiling. Finally, since chicken drumsticks are served whole, you’ll want to make sure the package you choose has enough pieces for the number of people you’re serving without having so much that it will go to waste. 

If you’re planning on ordering your groceries, you’ll be glad to know it’s easy to shop for chicken drumsticks via Instacart. Once you add products to your cart, use the “instructions” tab to enter special instructions or requests. This will help your shopper choose the perfect chicken drumsticks for you!

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Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce, Sweet Vidalia Onion

Previously Frozen Backrib Pork Loin

Maui Short Ribs

Bull's-Eye Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce

Coleman Portable Grill, Roadtrip

Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes with Mesquite, BBQ Charcoal for Grilling

Kingsford Charcoal Lighter Fluid, 64 fl oz, 2 ct

Carolina Q Sauce, Hickory, Carolina Sweet

Fresh Chicken Thighs

Ball Park Sliders, Flame Grilled

How to store chicken drumsticks

When storing chicken drumsticks in the refrigerator, it’s best to keep them in their original packaging. For maximum shelf life, don’t open the package until you’re ready to cook them. When freezing chicken drumsticks, put them in a freezer bag with a bit of space between each piece. Lay the bag flat until they’re frozen solid. Then, you can seal the bag up tight and put it on the freezer shelf. This will help ensure the drumsticks don’t stick together so you can pull out only the number you need each time you’re ready to cook them.  

How to tell if chicken drumsticks are bad

If your chicken drumsticks are still in the original packaging, check the “best by” date. If this date has passed, it’s safe to assume it’s no good. If you don’t have the packaging or the date is close, you’ll need to use your senses. Start by looking at the chicken. If it has a grayish color, it’s likely going bad. Chicken that feels slimy or has a foul or sour smell is also past its prime and should be thrown away. 

What can you substitute for chicken drumsticks?

If you can’t find fresh chicken drumsticks, frozen ones will taste just as good. If that’s not an option, chicken thighs will work well for just about any recipe that calls for drumsticks. Since they’re both made of dark meat, the flavor and texture will be just about the same. 

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