Chipotle Lime Butterfly Chicken Drumsticks

Name: Chipotle Lime Butterfly Chicken Drumsticks (Air Fryer)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken drumsticks; 1/2 lime, juiced; 1/4 cup margarita cocktail mix; 3 tbsp chipotle seasoning, divided

Butterfly chicken drumsticks marinated in chipotle, lime juice, and margarita mix, then air-fried until crispy. The butterflied cut accelerates cooking and maximizes marinade absorption for bold, zesty flavor.

⚡Air Fryer

🌍American 🏷️Chicken drumsticks 🏷️Butterfly chicken 🏷️Chipotle lime chicken Air fryer chicken

🏷️

🏷️Margarita chicken

🏷️Spicy

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TikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$11–$18

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken drumsticks
1/2 lime, juiced
1/4 cup margarita cocktail mix
3 tbsp chipotle seasoning, divided

4 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut along the bone of each chicken drumstick to butterfly it, flattening the meat.
2
Place the butterflied drumsticks into a large mixing bowl.
3
Add the lime juice, margarita mix, and about half of the chipotle seasoning to the bowl.
4
Mix thoroughly to ensure all the chicken is coated in the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
5
Remove the chicken from the marinade and season generously on all sides with the remaining chipotle seasoning.
6
Arrange the seasoned drumsticks in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
7
Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. (See tips regarding cooking time and temperature).

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Butterfly the drumsticks the night before and refrigerate in the marinade for maximum flavor penetration and easier prep on cooking day.
Pat drumsticks dry with paper towels before air frying to ensure crispy skin; excess moisture inhibits browning.
Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to promote even heat circulation and prevent sticking.
Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer inserted at the thickest part (165°F) rather than relying on time alone, since drumstick size varies.

Substitutions

Fresh lime juice → lemon juice (slightly less tart; reduces citrus brightness)
Margarita cocktail mix → equal parts lime juice and agave nectar with 1/2 tsp salt (closer control over sweetness and sodium)
Chipotle seasoning → 2 tbsp smoked paprika + 1 tbsp cayenne + 1 tsp garlic powder (milder heat; similar smokiness)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooked drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes until warmed through.

Equipment

air fryer · meat thermometer

Common Questions

How do you butterfly chicken drumsticks?

Cut along both sides of the bone lengthwise to split the meat, then open flat. This exposes more surface area for the marinade and reduces cooking time.