Garlic Butter Chicken Drumsticks (Keto & Low Carb) with Lemon Herb Cauliflower Rice
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Time to read 4 min
Our Keto & Low Carb Garlic Butter Chicken Drumsticks with Cauliflower Rice
If you’re looking for a dinner that’s equal parts comfort food and keto-friendly freshness, you’ve just landed on the right recipe. These garlic butter chicken drumsticks are roasted until golden, crispy, and dripping with their own pan sauce (yes, we’re making sauce without even trying). Pair them with bright and zesty lemon herb cauliflower rice, and you’ve got a low-carb dinner that tastes like a guilty pleasure but keeps you right on track with your macros.
This dish is a weeknight hero—easy to make, big on flavor, and perfect if you’re following keto, low-carb, or just want something that’s both wholesome and indulgent.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Keto-friendly & low carb – only about 4–5 net carbs per serving.
Flavor-packed – garlicky butter + herbs + lemon = magic.
Family-friendly – even non-keto folks will happily devour it.
One-pan sauce bonus – no extra work, just whisk up those golden pan juices.
Meal-prep friendly – keeps well in the fridge, easy to reheat.
Basically, this recipe is a win-win-win.
“Though she be but little, she is fierce… like garlic.”
BBK Kitchen
Recipe information
10 minutes
40 minutes
4
Mains
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Drumsticks:
6–8 chicken drumsticks
3 tbsp butter (softened)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried thyme (or rosemary)
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
For the Lemon Herb Cauliflower Rice:
1 medium cauliflower (riced, or about 3 cups pre-riced) Use a food processor and aim for a size consistency between cous cous and rice.
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Zest & juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
1 tbsp fresh dill or basil (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper into a fragrant paste. Rub this garlicky goodness all over the chicken drumsticks. (If you’re feeling extra, slide some under the skin for maximum flavor payoff.)
Arrange the drumsticks on a lined baking tray and roast for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re crispy, golden, and cooked through.
BBK Tip: Don’t toss those pan juices! Once the chicken is done, pour the buttery garlic drippings into a little jug and whisk them into a velvety sauce. That’s your keto liquid gold right there.
Step 2: Make the Cauliflower Rice
While the chicken is roasting (After about 20 mins), heat olive oil (or butter) in a large skillet. Toss in the riced cauliflower, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5–7 minutes until just tender.
To get maximum flavour out of your cauliflower rice once sautéed spread the rice out evenly on a lined baking tray and bung in the oven with the chicken. This will help deepen and develop those flavours!
Take out with your chicken and finish with lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped herbs. The citrusy punch makes the rice feel fresh and light, balancing the richness of the chicken.
Step 3: Plate & Pour
Pile the lemon herb cauliflower rice onto plates, top with your golden roasted drumsticks, and drizzle generously with the garlic butter pan sauce. Garnish with parsley and maybe an extra squeeze of lemon.
Dinner is served.
Macros (per serving: 2 drumsticks + cauli rice + sauce)
Calories: ~460
Fat: 34g
Protein: 28g
Net Carbs: 4–5g
Perfectly balanced for a satisfying keto dinner.
BBK Kitchen
Tips and suggestions
Cooking Tips & Variations
Switch up the herbs: Try rosemary, oregano, or Italian seasoning for different flavor vibes.
Make it spicy: Add chili flakes or cayenne to the butter paste for a little kick.
Air fryer option: Cook the drumsticks at 190°C (375°F) for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway.
Meal prep hack: Make a double batch of drumsticks and use leftovers for salads, wraps (keto tortillas), or quick protein snacks.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is satisfying on its own, but if you want to make it a bigger spread, try pairing it with:
A crisp green salad with olive oil & vinegar
Roasted keto veggies like asparagus or zucchini
A dollop of sour cream or keto ranch on the side
And of course, don’t forget to drizzle the pan sauce over everything - it’s too good to waste.
Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Cooked drumsticks freeze well - just skip freezing the cauliflower rice (it can go mushy).
Reheating: Warm drumsticks in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10–15 minutes. (or save time with the microwave!). Cauliflower rice is best reheated in a skillet with a splash of oil, but it too will survive the microwave.
Final Thoughts
This keto garlic butter chicken drumsticks with lemon herb cauliflower rice recipe is everything I love about low-carb cooking: bold flavors, simple ingredients, and that cozy comfort-food feeling - without the carb crash.
It’s the kind of meal you’ll make once, then put on repeat, because it ticks all the boxes: quick, affordable, and ridiculously tasty.
So grab your drumsticks, raid your herb stash, and get ready to whip up some keto comfort food magic. And remember - don’t skip the sauce. The sauce is life.
💡 BBK Tip: Make a little extra cauliflower rice, store it separately, and drizzle with leftover pan sauce the next day. It’s even better when the flavors mingle overnight.
The Author
I used this as an easy no hassle dinner served it up in a big tray on the dinner table with some serving spoons to tuck into the rice, it looks good, tastes good, and is actually quite simple.
Give it a go and let me know your thoughts!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?
Absolutely - bone-in, skin-on thighs work beautifully with garlic butter and may even be juicier.
Is cauliflower rice really filling?
Yes! The fiber and the lemon-herb seasoning make it surprisingly satisfying, especially when paired with the rich chicken.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Swap the butter for ghee or olive oil. You’ll still get that garlicky richness.
How do I keep cauliflower rice from going soggy?
Using the Oven helps remove the moisture when making Cauli Rice, this in turn stops too much mushiness
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