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Sheet-Pan Peruvian-Spiced Chicken Drumsticks with Sweet Potatoes & Green Sauce

Sheet-Pan Peruvian-Spiced Chicken Drumsticks with Sweet Potatoes & Green Sauce

Budget-friendly chicken drumsticks get coated in a warm garlic-cumin spice rub and roasted at high heat alongside tender sweet potatoes. Paired with a vibrant 2-minute cilantro-lime green sauce, this weeknight winner delivers big rotisserie-style flavor with effortless cleanup.

Elena Reyes
Elena Reyes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
4
easy
dinner
sheet-panhigh-heat-roastingchicken-drumstickseasy-dinner+1

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Timeline

53 minutes
0m15m30m45m53m
Preheat Oven & Pan
5m
Mix Spice Rub
Season Pan Ingredients
7m
High-Heat Roast
35m
Blend Green Sauce
5m
Rest & Serve
5m

Ingredients

  • 8 Chicken drumsticks(about 2.5 lbs total)
  • 3 tbsp Olive oil(divided)
  • 1.5 tsp Ground cumin
  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1.5 tsp Kosher salt(divided)
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper
  • 2 large Sweet potatoes(peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick half-moons)
  • 1 medium Red onion(cut into 1/2-inch thick wedges)
  • 0.5 cup Mayonnaise(or plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1 cup Fresh cilantro(leaves and tender stems packed)
  • 1 small Jalapeño(seeded and coarsely chopped)
  • 2 cloves Garlic(peeled)
  • 2 tbsp Lime juice(from 1 lime)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.

    5 min

    Tip: High heat is key here—it crisps the skin while keeping the dark meat incredibly juicy.

  2. 2

    In a small bowl, stir together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper until a loose paste forms.

    3 min

    Tip: Mixing the spices into oil first helps them coat the chicken evenly instead of clumping.

  3. 3

    Pat 8 chicken drumsticks thoroughly dry with paper towels and arrange them on one half of the prepared sheet pan. Place 2 large sweet potatoes and 1 medium red onion on the other half. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle 0.5 tsp kosher salt over the vegetables, tossing to coat. Rub the spice paste all over the chicken drumsticks to cover completely.

    7 min

    Tip: Drying the chicken skin before seasoning is essential for getting that golden crust.

  4. 4

    Roast at 425°F for 35 minutes, flipping the sweet potatoes halfway through, until the chicken skin is crisp and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sweet potatoes are caramelized and tender.

    35 min

    Tip: Don't crowd the pan! Give everything a little breathing room so it roasts instead of steams.

  5. 5

    While the chicken roasts, combine 0.5 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup fresh cilantro, 1 small jalapeño, 2 cloves garlic, and 2 tbsp lime juice in a blender or mini food processor. Blend on high until smooth and bright green.

    5 min

    Tip: If you prefer a milder sauce, remove all the jalapeño seeds or swap half of it for extra cilantro.

  6. 6

    Remove the sheet pan from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm drizzled with the green sauce, passing extra sauce at the table.

    5 min

    Tip: Resting the drumsticks lets the juices redistribute so every bite stays succulent.

Chef's Notes

Chicken drumsticks are an absolute weeknight cheat code: super affordable, almost impossible to dry out, and gorgeous when blasted with high heat. If you have extra green sauce, save it in a sealed jar—it doubles as an incredible salad dressing or a spread for turkey sandwiches tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Sheet-Pan Peruvian-Spiced Chicken Drumsticks with Sweet Potatoes & Green Sauce take to make?

Sheet-Pan Peruvian-Spiced Chicken Drumsticks with Sweet Potatoes & Green Sauce takes about 50 minutes total. That includes 15 minutes of prep and 35 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 4 servings.

What skill level is needed for Sheet-Pan Peruvian-Spiced Chicken Drumsticks with Sweet Potatoes & Green Sauce?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for Sheet-Pan Peruvian-Spiced Chicken Drumsticks with Sweet Potatoes & Green Sauce?

The main ingredients are: Chicken drumsticks, Olive oil, Ground cumin, Smoked paprika, Garlic powder, Dried oregano, Kosher salt, Black pepper, Sweet potatoes, Red onion, Mayonnaise, Fresh cilantro, Jalapeño, Garlic, Lime juice.

What type of meal is Sheet-Pan Peruvian-Spiced Chicken Drumsticks with Sweet Potatoes & Green Sauce?

Sheet-Pan Peruvian-Spiced Chicken Drumsticks with Sweet Potatoes & Green Sauce is categorized as: dinner.