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By Katja Heino 14 Comments
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Picnic-Style Lemon Basil Chicken Drumsticks

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basil lemon drumsticks

Going to a picnic or a potluck this summer?  Need a healthy, nutritious meal to take with you?  My family loves these Lemon Basil Chicken Drumsticks. They pack away nicely to take to the beach, to the park, or any fun outdoor event you may be going to.  

Screen shot 2013-07-15 at 9.17.20 AM

The secret to these delicious drumsticks is a long marinade.  Make the marinade the day before and allow the chicken pieces to soak up all the goodness for as long as possible in the fridge.  No need to heat up the house on a hot summer day.  Fire up the backyard barbeque, and you are all set to go.  You will be amazed at how flavorful and tender these drumsticks are.

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Picnic-Style Lemon Basil Chicken Drumsticks

Picnic-Style Lemon Basil Chicken Drumsticks

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  • Author: Katja from the Savory Lotus
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 chicken drumsticks

For marinade:

  • 3 TBS butter, ghee (like this), or coconut oil (like this), melted
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp celtic sea salt (like this one)

Instructions

For marinade:

  1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a blender and process until smooth, like salad dressing.
  2. Pat chicken drumstick dry with paper towel and place into shallow baking dish. Pour marinade on top, toss to evenly coat, cover, and place in fridge to marinate. (I let mine marinate for 24 hours usually but overnight is fine)
  3. Pre-heat barbeque. Clean the grill well before cooking drumsticks and oil if necessary.
  4. Arrange marinaded drumsticks on BBQ, turn heat down to medium, and close cover.
  5. Flip drumsticks every 8-10 minutes until thoroughly cooked. (Mine usually take around 30-35 minutes, depending on how hot my grill is. Always be sure that the chicken reaches AT LEAST 165’F. I usually cook mine a bit hotter as my family like their chicken WELL done.)
  6. Remove from heat. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving OR cool completely before packing away for your outdoor adventure.
  7. ENJOY!!

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Lemon Basil Chicken Drumsticks - savorylotus.com

Screen shot 2013-07-15 at 9.15.00 AM

A long marinade makes for great flavor.

Screen shot 2013-07-15 at 9.16.03 AM

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Filed Under: Main Course Tagged With: how to cook chicken. chicken drumsticks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Su says

    July 24, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    Can you make this in the oven?

    Reply
    • Katja says

      July 24, 2013 at 9:23 pm

      Yes, you can bake them in the oven. I would do it at a high temperature ~ 400′ F. If you have a baking pan with a rack on it, that would ensure the chicken gets evenly baked. If not, a plain baking pan will work. I would love to hear if you try this since I have never baked this particular recipe in the oven.

      Reply
      • Andi says

        September 3, 2016 at 7:22 am

        How long would you bake them for?

        Reply
        • Katja Heino says

          September 6, 2016 at 9:20 am

          Bake at 375’F for 45 minutes, or until cooked all the way through. 🙂

          Reply
  2. Dawn @TransformedByFood says

    August 6, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    I’m trying this recipe for dinner tonight! The drumsticks look really great barbequed, but I’m using the slow cooker, as I don’t have time to marinate right now. I couldn’t find pastured or organic drumsticks, so I’m using chicken breasts instead. We’ll see how it goes.

    I added half a cup of homemade chicken stock since more liquid is needed in the slow cooker. Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Reply
    • Katja says

      August 6, 2013 at 1:38 pm

      I love my slow cooker. Please please tell me how it turns out. and thanks for sharing….. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Dawn @TransformedByFood says

    August 6, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    Oh, and I also just shared this recipe on Facebook! Have a great day.

    Reply
  4. Dania says

    August 30, 2013 at 10:53 am

    Hello!
    When you use coconut oil for your recipes, is it more refined so there isn’t the coconut flavor? Or so use unrefined for all? I’ve never used unrefined and I’m relatively new to coconut oil so any tips are appreciated.

    Reply
    • Katja says

      August 31, 2013 at 6:48 am

      I personally use unrefined coconut oil for everything, especially baking. I love the flavor. If I want a more neutral flavor, for cooking, I stick with ghee. I actually use coconut oil and ghee interchangeably. Some folks prefer the neutral flavor of the refined but you have to be sure that it is a quality product and not chemically refined. Read more here about that—-> http://www.foodrenegade.com/how-to-choose-a-good-coconut-oil/
      This is the brand that I am currently using—-> http://amzn.to/12X9deO 🙂 Hope that helps.

      Reply
  5. Amanda Hanson says

    May 28, 2019 at 2:14 pm

    Could I make these ahead of time and freeze them for future picnics?

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      June 1, 2019 at 4:55 pm

      Yes, you could totally do that! 🙂

      Reply

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Hi I’m Katja!

And this is how we do healthy in our family. Just REAL food. Simple. Easy. Gluten free. More about Savory Lotus

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  • 🍁🍂🍃the more i get outside, the better i feel • outside every day 🍃🍁🍂

🍂🍁🍃 exposure to artificial light, blue screens, + WIFI (and being sedentary) drains our energy 🍃🍁🍂

P.S. it’s stunning here in the mountains in Fall

* intentional living 
* simple life 
* get outside 
* nature heals 
* gratitude 
* slow living 
* self care
* move every day
  • 🤍 I love reselling things i no longer wear • it helps fund my secondhand finds, keeps things in circulation, and gives me a reason to let something go before bringing something new in 🤍

• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• thrifted fashion 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free 
• natural fiber clothing 
• sustainable living
  • 💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
  • 🧥👖second hand outfit of the day • you don’t have to buy new to dress well • so many great pieces are already out there • second hand is my favorite way to find pieces i love • it’s easier to find my personal style when i’m being intentional and not just copying trends 

🧥👖 what i paid:

* vintage cashmere turtleneck sweater $24 from eBay
* organic cotton Everlane pants $18 from eBay 
* genuine leather belt $18 eBay
* black leather boots borrowed from little human 

• sustainable living
• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free
  • 👢 taking care of what i have instead of always looking for something new🤎 • a little non toxic leather conditioner = another season wearing what i already own and LOVE • investing in good quality things that i care for year after year > constantly feeling like i need to consume and replace 

👢 the 2 pairs of boots on the left are both over 7 years old 

👢using Leather Honey to soften, protect and restore my favorite boots 

• sustainable living
• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free
  • 💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
  • 🤍 i’ve always loved old things • the craftsmanship, the character, the stories they carry • they just don’t make them like they used to. 🤍
  • 💗 REAL FREEDOM comes from a simple life • let’s normalize living below our means, paying cash instead of living in debt, living in small houses, cooking meals at home, wearing secondhand clothes, driving older cars without payments , and having an emergency fund tucked away. 

💗 less pressure to have more • less pressure to compare ourselves to unrealistic social media lives • more freedom to enjoy what we have and the simply lives we’ve created 💗
  • 👖🧥 natural  fibers • neutral colors • timeless  pieces • secondhand finds • quality over trends 

💗 i don’t need more • just need what feels like me 💗 

WHAT I PAID:

* wool blend sweater from men’s section Goodwill $8
* white denim from Plato’s Closet $11
* J Crew cotton tank from local consignment store $9
* Leather belt from eBay $18
View on Instagram
🍁🍂🍃the more i get outside, the better i feel • outside every day 🍃🍁🍂

🍂🍁🍃 exposure to artificial light, blue screens, + WIFI (and being sedentary) drains our energy 🍃🍁🍂

P.S. it’s stunning here in the mountains in Fall

* intentional living 
* simple life 
* get outside 
* nature heals 
* gratitude 
* slow living 
* self care
* move every day
View Reel on Instagram
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
🍁🍂🍃the more i get outside, the better i feel • outside every day 🍃🍁🍂 🍂🍁🍃 exposure to artificial light, blue screens, + WIFI (and being sedentary) drains our energy 🍃🍁🍂 P.S. it’s stunning here in the mountains in Fall * intentional living * simple life * get outside * nature heals * gratitude * slow living * self care * move every day
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
🤍 I love reselling things i no longer wear • it helps fund my secondhand finds, keeps things in circulation, and gives me a reason to let something go before bringing something new in 🤍

• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• thrifted fashion 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free 
• natural fiber clothing 
• sustainable living
View Reel on Instagram
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
🤍 I love reselling things i no longer wear • it helps fund my secondhand finds, keeps things in circulation, and gives me a reason to let something go before bringing something new in 🤍 • living below our means • financial freedom • thrifting • thrifted fashion • second hand clothes • intentional living • simple life • living debt free • natural fiber clothing • sustainable living
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
🧥👖second hand outfit of the day • you don’t have to buy new to dress well • so many great pieces are already out there • second hand is my favorite way to find pieces i love • it’s easier to find my personal style when i’m being intentional and not just copying trends 

🧥👖 what i paid:

* vintage cashmere turtleneck sweater $24 from eBay
* organic cotton Everlane pants $18 from eBay 
* genuine leather belt $18 eBay
* black leather boots borrowed from little human 

• sustainable living
• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free
View Reel on Instagram
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
🧥👖second hand outfit of the day • you don’t have to buy new to dress well • so many great pieces are already out there • second hand is my favorite way to find pieces i love • it’s easier to find my personal style when i’m being intentional and not just copying trends 🧥👖 what i paid: * vintage cashmere turtleneck sweater $24 from eBay * organic cotton Everlane pants $18 from eBay * genuine leather belt $18 eBay * black leather boots borrowed from little human • sustainable living • living below our means • financial freedom • thrifting • second hand clothes • intentional living • simple life • living debt free
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
👢 taking care of what i have instead of always looking for something new🤎 • a little non toxic leather conditioner = another season wearing what i already own and LOVE • investing in good quality things that i care for year after year > constantly feeling like i need to consume and replace 

👢 the 2 pairs of boots on the left are both over 7 years old 

👢using Leather Honey to soften, protect and restore my favorite boots 

• sustainable living
• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free
View Reel on Instagram
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
👢 taking care of what i have instead of always looking for something new🤎 • a little non toxic leather conditioner = another season wearing what i already own and LOVE • investing in good quality things that i care for year after year > constantly feeling like i need to consume and replace 👢 the 2 pairs of boots on the left are both over 7 years old 👢using Leather Honey to soften, protect and restore my favorite boots • sustainable living • living below our means • financial freedom • thrifting • second hand clothes • intentional living • simple life • living debt free
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
🤍 i’ve always loved old things • the craftsmanship, the character, the stories they carry • they just don’t make them like they used to. 🤍
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
💗 REAL FREEDOM comes from a simple life • let’s normalize living below our means, paying cash instead of living in debt, living in small houses, cooking meals at home, wearing secondhand clothes, driving older cars without payments , and having an emergency fund tucked away. 💗 less pressure to have more • less pressure to compare ourselves to unrealistic social media lives • more freedom to enjoy what we have and the simply lives we’ve created 💗
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
👖🧥 natural fibers • neutral colors • timeless pieces • secondhand finds • quality over trends 💗 i don’t need more • just need what feels like me 💗 WHAT I PAID: * wool blend sweater from men’s section Goodwill $8 * white denim from Plato’s Closet $11 * J Crew cotton tank from local consignment store $9 * Leather belt from eBay $18
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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