Savor the Sweet & Savory: Irresistible Mango Chicken Drumsticks Wrapped in Crispy Bacon

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with our delightful Mango Chicken Drumsticks wrapped in crispy bacon. This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, combining the smoky richness of bacon with the succulent tenderness of marinated chicken and the vibrant sweetness of fresh mango sauce. Served alongside fluffy rice and crisp broccoli, it’s a healthy, satisfying, and undeniably delicious meal perfect for any occasion, especially a cozy weeknight dinner or a special family gathering.

The secret to this recipe lies in the careful marination of the chicken drumsticks, infusing them with aromatic spices and a touch of sweetness. Each drumstick is then lovingly enveloped in a slice of savory bacon, which crisps up beautifully during cooking while keeping the chicken incredibly moist. The magic continues as the drumsticks slow-simmer, creating a rich, flavorful liquid that transforms into a luscious mango-infused sauce. Finish this simple yet sophisticated dish with a sprinkle of slivered almonds for an added crunch, and you’ll understand why it’s destined to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Why You’ll Love This Mango Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

This recipe for mango chicken drumsticks with bacon, broccoli, and almonds has become a beloved favorite in our home, and it’s sure to win over your family too. Its delicious flavor profile, combined with its straightforward preparation, makes it an ideal choice for both busy weeknights and leisurely weekend cooking. Here’s why this dish stands out:

• Unforgettable Flavor Combination: The unique blend of sweet mango, savory bacon, and tender chicken creates a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and exciting. The curry and honey marinade adds a depth that beautifully complements the fruit.
• Wonderfully Tender Chicken: By seasoning the drumsticks thoroughly and slow-cooking them, the meat becomes exceptionally tender and juicy, practically falling off the bone. The bacon wrap helps lock in moisture and flavor.
• Vibrant and Aromatic Sauce: The sweet sauce, made from the rich cooking liquid and fresh mango, brings a bright, sunny essence to your plate. It’s perfectly balanced and incredibly versatile.
• Healthy and Balanced Meal: Paired with perfectly cooked broccoli, fluffy rice, and crunchy slivered almonds, this dish offers a wholesome and nutritious meal that is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and protein.
• Simple to Make: Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare. The steps are easy to follow, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
• Kid-Friendly Appeal: The sweetness of the mango and the familiar taste of chicken and bacon make this a hit even with the pickiest eaters. It’s a great way to introduce new flavors in an approachable manner.

Don’t just take our word for it – give this delightful mango chicken dish a try. We are confident it will become a new favorite in your household!

Essential Ingredients for Your Mango Chicken Feast

To create these mouthwatering Mango Chicken Drumsticks with Bacon, you’ll need a selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients. The precise quantities are conveniently listed in the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this blog post, but let’s dive into what each component brings to this exquisite meal.

Star Ingredients for the Drumsticks & Sauce

• Curry Powder: More than just a spice, curry powder is a complex blend of various spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin, and fenugreek. It imparts a warm, earthy, slightly pungent, and aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of mango, adding depth and an exotic touch to the chicken.
• Honey: This natural sweetener plays a crucial role, providing a delicate, slightly spicy sweetness to the marinade. It also aids in caramelizing the chicken and bacon during cooking, contributing to a beautiful golden-brown crust and rich flavor.
• Olive Oil and Butter: The combination of olive oil and unsalted butter is ideal for frying the drumsticks. Olive oil has a higher smoke point, preventing the butter from burning while allowing the butter to add its rich, nutty flavor, which forms a delicious base for the sauce.
• Chicken Drumsticks: These small, flavorful chicken legs are the star of our dish. Being the lower part of the chicken leg, drumsticks are known for their tenderness and juiciness, especially when cooked on the bone, which enhances their flavor. They are also economical and easy to handle.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and zest provide a bright, zesty citrus accent that cuts through the richness of the bacon and sweet mango, balancing the flavors and adding a delightful freshness to the final sauce.
• Mango: The cornerstone of our sweet and vibrant sauce. Choose a ripe, soft, and juicy mango for the best results. You’ll remove the skin and pit, then cut the flesh into small cubes. If you’re unsure how to quickly and easily prepare a mango, watch this video for a helpful demonstration of two simple methods. Frozen mango can also be used as a convenient alternative.
• Fresh Parsley: Used both in the sauce and as a garnish, fresh parsley adds a burst of clean, herbaceous flavor that brightens the entire meal. Its vibrant green color also adds visual appeal.
• Bacon Slices: Thin slices of cured and smoked pork belly are essential for their salty, savory, and smoky flavor. When wrapped around the drumsticks, the bacon crisps up, adding an irresistible texture and a layer of umami that elevates the chicken.
• Tomato Paste: This concentrated tomato product deepens the flavor of the sauce, adding a rich, umami-packed sweetness and a lovely color. Remember to cook the tomato paste for about two minutes before adding the stock; this simple step caramelizes its sugars, transforming its flavor from slightly acidic to wonderfully sweet.
• Chicken Stock: A high-quality chicken stock forms the essential liquid base for stewing the drumsticks and creating the flavorful pan sauce, ensuring rich moisture and taste.

Perfect Pairings & Garnishes

• Broccoli: A fantastic healthy accompaniment. Cut the broccoli into uniform florets. You can boil it by adding florets to a pan of cold water, bringing it to a boil, and cooking until tender-crisp – easily pierced with a fork but still offering a slight bite if preferred. Alternatively, steaming is a great method: place florets in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and steam for 3 to 8 minutes for a vibrant green and nutrient-rich side.
• Rice: The perfect canvas to soak up all the delicious sauce. Cook your chosen rice variety according to package instructions. White rice or basmati rice offers a classic pairing, while brown rice is an excellent choice if you’re looking to boost your fiber intake for a more wholesome meal.
• Almond Slivers: These thinly sliced almonds provide a delightful, slightly sweet, nutty flavor and a crucial textural contrast to the tender chicken and soft rice. They also add an elegant touch as a garnish.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Easy Mango Chicken Drumsticks

Creating this flavorful mango chicken dish is straightforward, and the results are incredibly rewarding. Below, you’ll find a clear, printable recipe with a step-by-step description at the bottom of this blog. Follow these instructions to prepare a meal that’s sure to impress!

1. **Prepare the Marinade and Wrap:** In a bowl, combine the curry powder, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined to form a fragrant marinade. Generously brush each chicken drumstick with this marinade, ensuring it’s evenly coated for maximum flavor absorption. Then, carefully wrap each marinated drumstick with a slice of bacon, securing it snugly around the chicken.
2. **Sear and Simmer the Chicken:** Heat the butter and additional oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the bacon-wrapped drumsticks and fry them on all sides until they are beautifully golden brown. This searing step creates a delicious crust and locks in moisture. Remove the seared drumsticks from the pan and set them aside. Next, spoon the tomato paste into the hot pan. Cook the paste for about two minutes, stirring constantly, until it deepens in color and smells sweet – this step is crucial for enhancing its flavor. Pour in the chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and bring the liquid to a boil. Return the seared chicken drumsticks to the pan, cover it tightly 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 incredibly tender. While the chicken simmers, prepare your rice and broccoli according to your preferred methods.
3. **Rest the Chicken:** Once cooked, carefully remove the drumsticks from the pan and place them on a clean plate. Tent them loosely with aluminum foil to keep them warm and allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.
4. **Craft the Mango Sauce:** With the drumsticks removed, you now have a rich, flavorful liquid remaining in the saucepan. This forms the base of your exquisite mango sauce. Add the water, fresh lemon juice, grated mango cubes, and a portion of the fresh parsley to the pan. Heat the mixture gently, stirring frequently, until it is hot and the mango has softened slightly, incorporating into the sauce. It doesn’t need to come to a full boil; just ensure it’s heated through to meld the flavors.

To serve, arrange the tender, bacon-wrapped drumsticks on plates alongside the fluffy rice and vibrant broccoli. Spoon a generous amount of the sweet and tangy mango sauce over the chicken. Finish with a sprinkle of almond slivers and an extra dash of fresh, finely chopped parsley for garnish. Enjoy this delicious, perfectly balanced meal!

Expert Tips, Smart Substitutions, and Flavorful Variations

This Mango Chicken Drumsticks recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing for various adjustments to suit your taste preferences or what you have on hand. Here are some tips, substitutions, and variations to make this dish uniquely yours:

• Chicken Cuts: While drumsticks are ideal for their juiciness and bone-in flavor, you can certainly use other chicken cuts. Chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless) are also very suitable; adjust the cooking time accordingly. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be used for a leaner option, but they will cook much faster (around 15-20 minutes of simmering) and might not be as moist. Always check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat with a meat thermometer; it should reach 162 °F (approx. 72 °C) for safe consumption.
• Boosting the Spice: If you enjoy a little heat, add ½ teaspoon of chili powder to the sauce along with the mango and lemon. For more pronounced spice, consider a pinch of cayenne pepper, a few red pepper flakes, or even finely minced fresh jalapeño or serrano pepper to the marinade or sauce. Adjust to your preferred level of heat.
• Mango Alternatives: If fresh mango isn’t in season or readily available, frozen mango cubes are an excellent substitute. Simply thaw them before dicing or adding them to the sauce. You could also experiment with other sweet fruits like peaches or apricots for a different flavor profile, though the “mango chicken” essence would change.
• Bacon Options: For a slightly lighter version, you can use turkey bacon, though the flavor and crispness will be different. If you prefer to skip bacon altogether, you can still marinate and cook the drumsticks directly, perhaps searing them with a little extra oil to get a nice crust.
• Herb Variations: While parsley offers a fresh, clean note, other herbs can also work beautifully. Fresh cilantro can enhance the tropical flavors, especially if you lean into more Asian-inspired notes. A touch of mint could also add a refreshing twist.
• Sweetener Alternatives: If you don’t have honey, maple syrup or a touch of brown sugar can be used in the marinade for a similar sweet and caramelizing effect.
• Side Dish Creativity: Beyond rice and broccoli, consider serving your mango chicken with other delicious sides. Quinoa or couscous can offer a different texture and nutritional boost. Roasted asparagus, green beans, or a simple mixed green salad would also complement the dish wonderfully. For a heartier meal, mashed potatoes or sweet potato mash could be excellent choices.
• Make-Ahead & Storage: This dish is great for meal prepping!
  • Refrigerator: Let all components cool quickly. Store the drumsticks with mango sauce, rice, and broccoli in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
  • Freezer: The drumsticks with mango sauce freeze exceptionally well. Place them in a freezer-safe container (this is especially convenient for the sauce). The cooked rice and broccoli can also be frozen separately in airtight bags or containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheating: For best results, gently reheat the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat until thoroughly hot. You can also place them in an oven-safe baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 320 °F (160 °C) for about 20 minutes, or until piping hot. Reheat rice and broccoli separately.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Mango Chicken Drumsticks with Bacon

Andréa

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