These Puerto Rican Muslos de Pollo are packed with garlic, oregano, and adobo flavor, then cooked until perfectly golden brown with juicy, tender meat in every bite.
Chicken is one of those things we always seem to have in the house. It’s affordable, easy to cook, and when it goes on sale at the grocery store, I always stock up and fill the freezer. Because of that, we end up making a lot of different chicken recipes throughout the month. Some weeks it’s juicy alas de pollo al horno (baked wings), or crispy alitas de pollo fritas (fried wings). We also love a quick pollo teriyaki that’s so perfect over white rice. Then there’s smoky Puerto Rican pollo al carbón with a side of arroz con gandules, or a simple pollo rostizado, which goes great with practically any side dish. These Puerto Rican-style chicken drumsticks are another recipe we make often. They’re seasoned extremely simply, a little bit of garlic, oregano, and adobo, and then cooked in a skillet until the skin turns beautifully golden and the meat is tender and juicy. An easy meal, that’s especially perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
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Ingredients
What’s wonderful about these drumsticks is you don’t need a whole lot of complicated ingredients to make them hyper tasty and delicious!
- chicken drumsticks
- garlic cloves
- adobo seasoning
- oregano
- vegetable oil
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements and instructions.
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Garlic Marinade: Using a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic cloves into a paste. Add the oregano and 2 tablespoons of oil. Stir until well combined (Image 1).
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the chicken under cool water. Using a sharp knife, make 1 to 2 shallow slits in the thickest part of each drumstick (Image 2). This helps the chicken cook more evenly, especially if the drumsticks are large.
Place the drumsticks in a large mixing bowl and pour the garlic marinade over them. Using your hands or a spoon, coat the drumsticks evenly with the marinade (Image 3).
Sprinkle the adobo seasoning over each piece on all sides. Let the chicken marinate for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Cook the Drumsticks: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Arrange the drumsticks in the skillet and cover with the lid. Cook for 15 minutes.
Flip the drumsticks, cover again, and cook for another 15 minutes. (Keep an eye on the chicken so it doesn’t burn)
Step 4: Remove the lid and continue cooking for about 10 minutes, turning the drumsticks as needed, until the skin is golden brown on all sides and the chicken is fully cooked through.
Step 5: Serve: Remove the drumsticks from the skillet and serve immediately.
Please note: If you would like to make this recipe in an air fryer or your oven, please follow recipe instructions included below in the recipe card.
Serving Suggestions
These Puerto Rican style chicken drumsticks pair well with just about any side dish, but here are a few family favorites we like serving them with:
- Puerto Rican rice and beans (arroz con habichuelas)
- Ensalada de papa (Puerto Rican potato salad)
- Ensalada de coditos (Puerto Rican macaroni salad)
- Canoas de platano (stuffed plantains)
Other Puerto Rican Chicken Recipes You Will Love
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📖 Recipe
Muslos de Pollo (Skillet Chicken Drumsticks)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 4 garlic cloves peeled
- 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dry oregano
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
Garlic Marinade
- Make the Garlic Marinade: Using a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic cloves into a paste. Add the oregano and 2 tablespoons of oil. Stir until well combined.*You can also use a mini chopper to make the marinade or mince the garlic manually and combine with the oregano and oil in a small bowl.
- Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the chicken under cool water. Using a sharp knife, make 1 to 2 shallow slits in the thickest part of each drumstick. This helps the chicken cook more evenly, especially if the drumsticks are large.
- Place the drumsticks in a large mixing bowl and pour the garlic marinade over them. Using your hands or a spoon, coat the drumsticks evenly with the marinade.
- Sprinkle the adobo seasoning over each piece on all sides. Let the chicken marinate for 10 minutes.
- Cook the Drumsticks: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Arrange the drumsticks in the skillet and cover with the lid. Cook for 15 minutes.Flip the drumsticks, cover again, and cook for another 15 minutes. (Keep an eye on the chicken so it doesn't burn)
- Remove the lid and continue cooking for about 10 minutes, turning the drumsticks as needed, until the skin is golden brown on all sides and it is fully cooked through.Remove the drumsticks from the skillet and serve immediately
Neli Howard says
I am on the eternal hunt for the perfect chicken recipe! This looks amazing! Also I needed an idea for dinner tonight so this is perfection! Thanks Cathy! 🙂
Cathy says
Oh that is fabulous! Put a smile on my face! Thanks! 🙂
Erin says
This chicken is such an easy dish and the adobo seasoning in it makes it so flavorful!
Cathy says
Thank you Erin!
Katherine says
Oh hello garlic marinade! Awesome skillet drumsticks.
Cathy says
Thank you Katherine!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Those drumsticks look absolutely divine and I love that there is a garlic marinade too, super tasty!
Cathy says
Thank you Bintu! They truly are divine!