Name: Air-Fryer Chili-Spiced Turkey Legs
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 2.5 pounds turkey drumsticks, skinned if desired (2-3 drumsticks); 2 medium carrots, bias-cut into 2-inch pieces; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; 0.5 cup lemon juice; 2 tablespoons hot chili powder; 1 tablespoon paprika; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 1.5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth; 1 cup whole-wheat pearl couscous; 0.25 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish

Air-Fryer Chili-Spiced Turkey Legs

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Hot chili powder, paprika and lemon juice impart heat and acidity in these healthy turkey legs. The same marinade is used for the carrots, which turn tender in the air fryer. An herbed couscous rounds out the meal for a filling dinner.

By Colleen Weeden

Published on January 5, 2023

Reviewed by Dietitian

Nadine Bradley, RD, CNSC

a recipe photo of the Air-Fryer Chili-Spiced Turkey Legs — Photo: Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila

Active Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 45 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Dairy-Free Diabetes Appropriate Egg Free Heart Healthy High-Protein Nut-Free Soy-Free

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

2 ½ pounds turkey drumsticks, skinned if desired (2-3 drumsticks)
2 medium carrots, bias-cut into 2-inch pieces
2 teaspoons lemon zest
½ cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons hot chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup whole-wheat pearl couscous
¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish

Directions

Place turkey and carrots in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag set in a shallow dish. Combine lemon juice, chili powder, paprika, garlic and salt in a small bowl. Add to the bag. Seal the bag and refrigerate, turning occasionally, for 1 to 4 hours.
Lightly coat the basket of a 6- to 9-quart air fryer with cooking spray. Drain the turkey and carrots (discard marinade). Arrange the turkey in the prepared basket. Cook at 350℉ for 15 minutes. Flip the turkey and add the carrots. Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the meaty part of a drumstick registers 175℉ and the carrots are tender, about 15 minutes more.
Meanwhile, bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and lemon zest.
Serve the turkey and carrots with the couscous. Garnish with additional parsley, if desired.

To make ahead

Marinate turkey and carrots (Step 1) for up to 4 hours.

Equipment

6- to 9-quart air fryer

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

427	Calories
11g	Fat
38g	Carbs
48g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 3 oz. turkey, 1/2 cup couscous & 1/4 cup carrots
Calories 427
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 38g	14%
Dietary Fiber 7g	25%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 48g	96%
Total Fat 11g	14%
Saturated Fat 3g	15%
Cholesterol 167mg	56%
Sodium 593mg	26%
Potassium 678mg	14%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.