Imagine a meal where succulent chicken drumsticks are infused with sweet and tangy mango, wrapped in crispy, savory bacon, and slow-cooked to absolute perfection. This isn’t just a dream; it’s an easy-to-make, healthy, and incredibly delicious reality waiting to grace your dinner table. Our mango chicken drumsticks with bacon offer an explosion of flavors and textures, making them an instant family favorite.

The secret lies in the marinade, which tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with aromatic spices. The bacon adds a delightful smoky crispness and keeps the chicken incredibly moist as it stews. But the magic doesn’t stop there! The rich cooking liquid transforms into a sweet and tangy mango sauce, creating a vibrant accompaniment that perfectly balances the savory notes of the chicken and bacon. Serve this simple yet elegant dish with fluffy rice, fresh steamed broccoli, and a sprinkle of slivered almonds for an unforgettable meal that is as satisfying as it is simple to prepare. Get ready to impress your taste buds!

Drumsticks with Mango, Broccoli and Almond: A Tasteful Recipe for Every Occasion

This recipe for mango chicken drumsticks has quickly become a beloved staple in our household. Its irresistible combination of tender chicken, vibrant mango sauce, crisp broccoli, and crunchy almonds creates a flavor profile that appeals to everyone, especially our children, who eagerly ask for it again and again. Beyond its delicious taste, the simplicity of preparation makes it a go-to choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners.

The deep, savory flavors are achieved by thoroughly seasoning the drumsticks and then lovingly wrapping them in slices of bacon. This not only locks in moisture but also adds a fantastic smoky layer that crisps up beautifully during cooking. The slow-cooking process is key here, transforming the chicken into incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone meat. Meanwhile, the rich stewing juices are elevated into a sweet and slightly tangy mango sauce, which truly adds a burst of sunshine to your plate. Paired with perfectly cooked broccoli that retains a slight bite and fluffy rice, then garnished with nutty slivered almonds, this dish offers a wonderful harmony of textures and tastes. It’s a complete, wholesome, and profoundly satisfying meal that you simply must try!

Essential Ingredients for Your Mango Chicken Drumsticks with Broccoli and Rice

To embark on this delightful culinary journey and prepare these exceptional Mango Chicken Drumsticks with Bacon, you’ll need a selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients. The precise quantities can be found in the comprehensive recipe card located at the very bottom of this blog post. Here’s a detailed look at what makes this dish so special:

Ingredients for the Drumsticks with Mango Sauce:

• Curry Powder: This isn’t just one spice, but a carefully blended mixture of various aromatic spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin, and fenugreek. It provides a warm, spicy, pungent, and deeply aromatic base flavor that pairs exquisitely with the sweetness of mango, giving the dish its signature exotic depth.
• Honey: Beyond mere sweetness, honey contributes a unique, slightly spicy, and floral sweetness. It also aids in caramelization during the initial searing of the chicken, developing rich, complex flavors that enhance the overall dish.
• Olive Oil and Butter: Using a combination of olive oil and unsalted butter is a classic culinary trick. Olive oil has a higher smoke point, allowing you to heat the fats to a sufficient temperature for browning without burning the butter. The butter, in turn, provides a rich, creamy flavor base for searing the drumsticks and later contributes significantly to the deliciousness of the sauce.
• Chicken Drumsticks: These are the lower, meatier part of the chicken leg, known for their rich flavor and tender texture. Drumsticks are an economical and flavorful choice, becoming wonderfully succulent when slow-cooked. They easily absorb the marinade and stay moist, making them perfect for this recipe.
• Lemon: A splash of fresh lemon juice and a hint of zest introduces a bright, fresh citrus accent. This acidity is crucial for cutting through the richness of the chicken and bacon, balancing the sweetness of the mango, and elevating all the other flavors.
• Mango: The star of the sauce! Choose a ripe mango that is soft and juicy with a wonderfully sweet tropical flavor. Remember to remove the skin and the large pit before cutting the flesh into small, bite-sized cubes. If you’re unsure how to quickly and easily prepare a mango, this video demonstrates two effective methods. You can also use good quality frozen mango chunks for convenience.
• Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped fresh parsley adds a burst of herbaceous freshness and a hint of peppery flavor. It brightens the dish and provides a lovely visual contrast, especially when used as a garnish.
• Bacon Slices: Cured pork belly, thinly sliced, salted, dried, and often smoked, bacon brings a fantastic salty, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor. Wrapping the drumsticks in bacon not only adds incredible taste and texture but also keeps the chicken moist and prevents it from drying out during the stewing process.
• Tomato Paste: This concentrated tomato product is essential for adding a deep, umami-rich flavor to the sauce. It also helps to thicken the sauce and give it a beautiful color. Crucially, let the tomato paste cook for at least two minutes in the pan before adding the liquid; this process sweetens the paste and removes any raw, acidic notes, resulting in a much richer, sweeter sauce.
• Chicken Stock: The foundation of our flavorful sauce, chicken stock adds savory depth and ensures a rich, simmering liquid for the drumsticks to cook in.

Perfect Accompaniments and Garnishes:

• Broccoli: A vibrant and healthy addition, broccoli florets are the ideal green side. To cook, cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets and place them in a pan. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Cook until tender-crisp – you should be able to easily pierce it with a fork, but it can still have a slight resistance if you prefer a firmer bite. Alternatively, for maximum nutrient retention and a slightly different texture, you can steam the broccoli. Place the florets in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and steam for 3 to 8 minutes depending on your desired tenderness.
• Rice: The perfect absorbent base for the delicious mango sauce. Cook your chosen rice according to the package instructions. You can opt for classic white rice, fragrant basmati rice, or if you’re looking to increase your fiber intake, wholesome brown rice works wonderfully as well, offering a nuttier flavor and chewier texture.
• Almond Slivers: These thinly sliced almonds add a delightful crunch and a delicate, sweet, nutty flavor that complements the tropical mango and savory chicken beautifully. They make an excellent garnish, providing a textural contrast that enhances every bite.

Mastering the Easy Mango Chicken Drumstick Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing this incredibly flavorful and tender mango chicken recipe is surprisingly straightforward, yielding impressive results with minimal effort. For your convenience, a printable recipe card with a detailed step-by-step description is provided at the bottom of this blog post. Follow these instructions to create a memorable meal:

1. **Prepare the Marinade and Wrap the Chicken:** Begin by creating a fragrant marinade. In a shallow dish or bowl, thoroughly mix the curry powder, honey, three tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and black pepper. This blend will infuse the chicken with sweet, spicy, and savory notes. Take each chicken drumstick and generously brush it with this exquisite marinade, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, carefully wrap each marinated drumstick with a slice of bacon. The bacon will add a smoky flavor, crisp up, and help keep the chicken incredibly moist.
2. **Sear and Simmer the Drumsticks:** Heat one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of oil in a large Dutch oven or a deep, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once the fats are shimmering, add the bacon-wrapped drumsticks to the pan. Sear them on all sides until they are beautifully golden brown and the bacon is starting to crisp. This browning step is crucial for developing deep flavor. Remove the browned drumsticks from the pan and set them aside. Into the same pan, spoon in the tomato paste. Cook the tomato paste for approximately two minutes, stirring constantly, until it darkens slightly and smells sweet, indicating its acidity has mellowed. Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Return the seared chicken drumsticks to the pan, ensuring they are nestled in the liquid. Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the chicken gently cook for 30 minutes, or until it is thoroughly cooked through and fork-tender. While the chicken is simmering, prepare your rice and broccoli according to their respective instructions.
3. **Prepare the Mango Sauce:** Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove the drumsticks from the pan and place them on a plate. Tent them loosely with aluminum foil to keep them warm while you prepare the sauce. The flavorful liquid remaining in the pan is the base for your rich mango sauce. If you prefer a cleaner sauce, you can strain the liquid into a separate saucepan.
4. **Finish and Serve the Sauce:** To the cooking liquid (or strained liquid in a clean saucepan), add the ¼ cup of water, lemon juice, lemon zest, the diced mango cubes, and the finely chopped parsley. Gently heat the mixture until it is hot and the flavors have melded together – it doesn’t need to boil vigorously, just warm through. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve the wonderfully tender mango chicken drumsticks generously drizzled with the sweet and savory mango sauce. Arrange them alongside the fluffy rice and perfectly cooked broccoli. For a final flourish, sprinkle a handful of almond slivers and a touch more fresh parsley over the top. Enjoy this wholesome, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal!

Tips, Substitutions, and Delicious Variations for Your Mango Chicken

This mango chicken drumstick recipe is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. Here are some ideas to make it even more your own:

• Chicken Cuts: While drumsticks are excellent for their flavor and tenderness, other chicken cuts are also very suitable. Chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless, are a fantastic alternative and will also benefit from the slow stewing. If using larger chicken legs (thigh and drumstick combined), the cooking time may be slightly longer. Always ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 162 °F (approx. 72 °C) in the thickest part.
• Amp Up the Spice: For those who love a bit of heat, easily make this dish spicy! Add ½ teaspoon of chili powder (or more, to taste) to the marinade or directly into the sauce. A pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely diced fresh chili pepper (like a jalapeño or serrano, seeds removed for less heat) can also introduce a lovely kick.
• Mango Alternatives: If fresh mango isn’t in season or readily available, frozen mango chunks work perfectly. Simply thaw them slightly before adding them to the sauce. You could also experiment with other sweet, tropical fruits like pineapple for a similar flavor profile.
• Vegetable Power-Ups: While broccoli is a great choice, feel free to add other vegetables to your meal. Carrots, bell peppers, snow peas, or green beans can be added to the pan during the last 10-15 minutes of simmering the chicken, or steamed alongside the broccoli.
• Storage and Reheating: Let any leftovers cool quickly before storing. For the refrigerator, keep the drumsticks with sauce, rice, and broccoli in separate airtight containers for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, freeze the drumsticks and mango sauce together in a freezer-safe container. Rice and broccoli can be frozen separately. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium heat until piping hot, or place in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 320°F (160°C) for about 20 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through.

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Mango Chicken Drumsticks with Bacon

Andréa

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