Ingredients
- 3 ½ lbs chicken drumsticks (12 pieces)
- 4 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Cheesy Broccoli Rice:
- 1 lb frozen broccoli florets, defrosted
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups long grain rice
- 1 cup grated cheddar, mature
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Freshly cracked pepper, to season
Method
- Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C / 428 F / Gas Mark 7.
- Start by preparing the chicken drumsticks.
- Mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, oregano, black pepper and cayenne pepper in a bowl.
- Place the chicken drumsticks into another bowl and drizzle the cooking oil over them. Next, sprinkle the prepared seasoning over the drumsticks and toss them in the bowl until they are all evenly coated in oil and spices.
- Now, take a baking sheet and line it with foil or baking parchment. Place the seasoned drumsticks on the baking sheet making sure that they are not touching each other (you will most likely need to use two baking sheets).
- Pop the chicken into the oven for approximately 40 minutes, turning the drumsticks over half-way through, until they are fully cooked (i.e. when the internal temperature is 80 degrees C / 175 F when tested with a meat thermometer).
- Whilst the chicken is cooking, prepare the rice.
- Place the rice in a large pan with the water. Pop the pan onto the hob, with a lid on, and bring to the boil over a high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes of simmering, turn off the heat and leave the rice to rest in the pan for an additional 5 minutes without removing the lid.
- As the rice is cooking, chop the broccoli florets into very small pieces.
- Once cooked fully, fluff the rice gently with a fork before adding the butter, salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and black pepper to season. Fold the butter and spices into the hot rice until well combined, the butter should melt quickly, then add the chopped broccoli and gently fold it into the rice too. [NB: The broccoli will bring the temperature of the rice down slightly (i.e. to hot / warm, rather than very hot), so that when the cheese is added it won’t melt immediately.]
- Finally, add the parmesan and cheddar cheeses, thoroughly folding these into the rice. Taste before serving and add more salt / butter if needed.
- Once the rice and drumsticks are both ready, serve immediately on warm plates. [NB: 2 drumsticks, with 1.5 cups of rice, per person.]