Sweet & Savory Almond Garlic Chicken Drumettes
Elevate Your Table: Delicious Almond Garlic Chicken Drumettes Recipe
These chicken drumettes are a delightful blend of sweet and savory! They make an impressive dish for guests when prepared ahead, are perfect for a relaxing beer snack with your partner after work, and are an absolute favorite for kids. Let’s make Garlic Chicken Drumettes packed with healthy garlic! (Makes about 18 drumettes).
Chicken Drumette Marinade- 1 tsp Herb-flavored salt
- 2-3 pinches Salt
- A pinch of Black pepper
Garlic Soy Glaze Sauce- 1.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Corn syrup (or honey)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
Other Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Chopped red chili (for color and mild heat)
- 1 Tbsp Sliced almonds (for nutty flavor)
- 0.5 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish and flavor)
- A pinch of Parsley flakes (for garnish)
- 1 tsp Pickling spice (to remove any gamey smell)
- 1.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Corn syrup (or honey)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
Other Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Chopped red chili (for color and mild heat)
- 1 Tbsp Sliced almonds (for nutty flavor)
- 0.5 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish and flavor)
- A pinch of Parsley flakes (for garnish)
- 1 tsp Pickling spice (to remove any gamey smell)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Trim excess fatty skin from the chicken drumettes. Wash them thoroughly under cold running water and set aside. A good rinse helps remove any impurities.
Step 2
In a pot, bring water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of pickling spice. Once boiling, carefully add the prepared chicken drumettes.
Step 3
While traditionally whole garlic and peppercorns are used, pickling spice acts as a convenient blend of aromatics, effectively removing any unwanted odors from the chicken. If you don’t have pickling spice, you can substitute with 3 cloves of whole garlic and 1 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns.
Step 4
When the water returns to a boil and the chicken floats, turn off the heat. Rinse the drumettes again under cold water to remove any scum or impurities. Drain them well using a colander. Make a few small slits on the thicker parts of the drumettes to help the marinade penetrate better. Now, season them with 1 teaspoon of herb-flavored salt, 2-3 pinches of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well and let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Flip them a couple of times during marination to ensure even flavoring.
Step 5
Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated drumettes and pan-fry until golden brown on all sides. Searing the drumettes helps to lock in the juices and enhance the flavor. For an extra crispy texture, you can lightly coat the drumettes in cornstarch before frying.
Step 6
Let’s prepare the delicious garlic soy glaze sauce.
Step 7
Measure out 1.5 tablespoons of minced garlic and 3 tablespoons of soy sauce.
Step 8
Add 2 tablespoons of corn syrup (for sweetness) and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil (for nutty aroma).
Step 9
In a small saucepan or the same pan used for the drumettes, combine all the sauce ingredients. Simmer over low heat until the garlic fragrance is released and the sauce slightly thickens. The aroma will be enticing!
Step 10
Add the browned chicken drumettes to the simmering garlic soy glaze. Stir gently to coat the drumettes evenly with the sauce and let them braise until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken.
Step 11
Now, prepare the vibrant chopped red chili and the nutty sliced almonds.
Step 12
Continue to stir and glaze the drumettes, turning them occasionally, until the sauce is well absorbed and coats the chicken beautifully. Cook until the garlic seems to be fried in the chicken’s rendered fat, creating a wonderfully savory flavor. Keep an eye on the heat to prevent burning.
Step 13
Once the sauce has thickened and nicely coated the drumettes, add the chopped red chili. Stir-fry briefly to release its spicy aroma, which adds a lovely balance to the sweetness and savory notes.
Step 14
Add the sliced almonds to the pan. Toss gently to combine, ensuring they are coated but not burnt. The almonds will add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Step 15
Give everything a final gentle toss to mix. The Almond Garlic Chicken Drumettes are ready! Be gentle when mixing as the almonds can break easily. This ensures you enjoy the full nutty flavor and texture.
Step 16
Garnish the finished drumettes with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and parsley flakes for a visually appealing presentation. For an extra touch of elegance and freshness, you can arrange some orange segments on the side.
Step 17
Your beautiful and delicious Almond Garlic Chicken Drumettes are complete! Enjoy every bite. ^^
