Why this fits a family on a budget
Chicken drumsticks are one of the most budget-friendly cuts of meat available, often under $1.50 per pound, keeping this hearty four-serving dinner well within the weekly budget. The air fryer delivers crispy, satisfying results in under 40 minutes without any complicated cooking skills.
• 8 whole chicken drumsticks
• 0.5 cup BBQ sauce
• 1.5 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 12 oz fresh green beans
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 whole garlic cloves
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 whole lemon
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
2. Pat the chicken drumsticks completely dry with a paper towel — this is important for getting crispy skin. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub this spice mixture evenly all over each drumstick.
3. Place the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not stacked or overlapping. If your air fryer is small, work in two batches.
4. Air fry at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping the drumsticks over at the 10-minute mark using tongs. The skin should be starting to turn deep golden brown.
5. After 20 minutes, brush BBQ sauce generously over each drumstick using a basting brush or the back of a spoon. Air fry for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce is caramelized and sticky and the skin is deeply browned. Check that the internal temperature reads at least 165°F at the thickest part of the meat near the bone.
6. While the chicken finishes, trim the stem ends off the green beans. Mince the garlic cloves finely.
7. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes until they start to char slightly on the bottom.
8. Stir the green beans and add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, tossing frequently, until the beans are tender-crisp and bright green with some charred spots. Season with a pinch of salt.
9. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the green beans and serve alongside the BBQ drumsticks.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.