Bullis Wings

I had a few people request something healthy to eat while they watch the Super bowl.  The first thing that came to my mind, without hesitation, was chicken wings.  I experimented a little and came up with three versions that I like and will give them a ‘paleo’ stamp of approval.

Regular sized drumsticks were used in all three recipes.  I did not want to fool around with cutting wing skin, dislocating joints and separating ridiculously small pieces of food.  My personal preference for chicken wings is the drummettes.  This is just a meatier route to take.

Before making these recipes, I left my drumsticks uncovered in the refrigerator for 24 hours to make sure they were dry.  This helps the drumsticks stay crispy when you cook them.  It is also important to put a wire rack on top of a backing sheet so that air can circulate around the chicken while it cooks.

Dry Taco Drumstick with Spicy Guacamole Dip

Ingredients for drumsticks

• 6 drumsticks
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 teaspoons garlic powder
• 3 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 teaspoon paprika
• 1.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Ingredients or spicy guacamole

• 3 avocados
• 1 ½ limes, juiced
• 1 ½ handful cilantro, chopped
• 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
• Salt

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Mix all the dry ingredients in bowl.  Put olive oil in large bag and add the dry ingredients.  Put drumsticks in bag and shake until well coated.  Place on a wire rack placed on a baking sheet (air needs to circulate around the chicken to make it crispy).  Cook for 30 minutes.  Flip the chicken and cook additional 15 minutes.

While chicken is cooking mash avocados with a fork and mix in the lime juice.  Add cilantro, chili garlic sauce and salt to taste.  Serve alongside the drumsticks.

Maple Lime Drumsticks

Ingredients for drumsticks

• 4 drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and Pepper

Ingredients for sauce

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce (I used Louisiana Hot Sauce)
• Zest of 2 limes
• Juice of 2 limes

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Mix all the dry ingredients in bowl.  Put olive oil in large bag and add the dry ingredients.  Put drumsticks in bag and shake until well coated.  Place on a wire rack placed on a baking sheet (air needs to circulate around the chicken to make it crispy).  Cook for 30 minutes.  Coat the drumsticks in the sauce and cook additional 15 minutes.

While chicken is cooking mix all ingredients for the sauce.  Serve remaining sauce alongside the drumsticks.

Spicy Buffalo Drumsticks

Ingredients for drumsticks

• 4 drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and Pepper

Ingredients for sauce

• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup hot sauce (I used Louisiana Hot Sauce)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Mix all the dry ingredients in bowl.  Put olive oil in large bag and add the dry ingredients.  Put drumsticks in bag and shake until well coated.  Place on a wire rack placed on a baking sheet (air needs to circulate around the chicken to make it crispy).  Cook for 30 minutes.  Coat the drumsticks in the sauce and cook additional 15 minutes.

While chicken is cooking, microwave the coconut oil for 10 seconds so it becomes a liquid. Mix oil and hot sauce in a bowl.  Serve remaining sauce alongside the drumsticks.  **Coconut oil might begin to harden if it cools down.  An easy fix is to pop it back in the microwave for 10 seconds.**