Ginger-Sesame Drumsticks
Even though the temperature has dropped a few degrees here, it’s still sunny and 70. Temps like that mean I still have a few more weeks of grilling before I have to cover my barbecue for the winter. However daylight saving time just ended which means it’s getting darker a lot earlier and I don’t like to grill in the dark. So, I need to make sure whatever I’m grilling can be on and off the barbecue in a short amount of time. Since these drumsticks are roasted beforehand, they make the perfect dinner option when I want something with a grilled flavor but don’t want to spend hours standing over an open fire.
I discovered the pre-roasting trick earlier this year and have used it several times since then. It’s great when you want to grill in a hurry and don’t want your chicken legs charred on the outside. What makes this recipe different from the last one I made, is that it’s got an Asian spin thanks to a ginger-sesame dressing. But if you’re worried you’re going to have to head to your local Chinese market to get all the ingredients for this marinade, you can relax. I found the perfect bottle of ginger-sesame dressing at my local grocery store in the oil and vinegar aisle.
Five ingredients, all available at your local grocery store, mean that this recipe is not only easy, it’s the perfect dinner choice no matter what season. Okay, maybe not the rainy season. But that’s still at least a few weeks away, right?
Ginger-Sesame Drumsticks
Ingredients:
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1-1/4 cups bottled Asian ginger-sesame dressing
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place the drumsticks in a large baking pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Place the cooled drumsticks in a large resealable bag and add 1 cup of dressing. Seal the bag and turn to coat the chicken. Chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
- While the drumsticks marinate, preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Drain the drumsticks and discard the marinade. Add the drumsticks off to the side of the grill so they’re getting indirect heat. Brush the drumsticks with the remaining dressing during the last 5 minutes of grilling.
- Transfer the drumsticks to a serving platter, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with a delicious salad or Ramen Slaw.
