Dinner shouldn’t be a battle between convenience and quality. Bird & Barrow free-range chicken in NZ offers a delicious and healthy solution, providing your family with meals that are both satisfying and sustainable.
Our free-range chickens are raised in New Zealand, ensuring they have ample space to roam and access to a balanced diet. This ethical farming practice results in higher quality meat that is rich in flavour and nutrients.
Keep reading to find two of our favourite free-range chicken leg meals, which offer a world of flavour and are good for you and the planet!
Greek Baked Chicken Drumstick Casserole
If you’re craving a hearty and comforting meal, look no further than this yummy Mediterranean-inspired chicken drumstick casserole. The tender chicken drumsticks, creamy feta cheese, and tart tomatoes create a perfect harmony of tastes.
Packed full of flavourful ingredients and herbs, this dish is a delicious and satisfying choice for dinner. Simply toss together the ingredients in a single baking dish, pop it in the oven or slow cooker, and let it do its magic. Enjoy a taste of Greece at home with the perfect hands-off recipe for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 12 x Bird & Barrow Free Range Chicken Drumsticks
- 1 x 400g tin cherry tomatoes in juice
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 3 garlic cloves, finely diced
- ½ cup pitted black olives
- 100g feta cheese
- Olive oil
- Sea salt & cracked black pepper
- Handful of fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Combine the cherry tomatoes, oregano and garlic in a bowl. Mix well. Lay out the chicken drumsticks in an ovenproof dish. Pour over the cherry tomatoes and scatter the black olives. Crumble the feta over the top. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Top with thyme leaves, sea salt, and cracked black pepper.
- If you’re using an oven, let your casserole bake for 40-45 minutes until browned and cooked through. If you’re using a slow cooker, set it to low and let your drumsticks cook for 4-5 hours.
Plate Up
Before serving, remove the bay leaves from your casserole.
We recommend serving your meal with traditional Greek sides like a fresh orzo pasta salad, grilled asparagus, creamy mashed potatoes, and some warm, fluffy pita bread with hummus.
These side dishes will add a refreshing contrast to the rich and hearty flavours of your free-range chicken leg casserole meal and create a complete, satisfying meal.
Guinness, Honey & Soy Marinated Drumsticks
Perfect for a cosy night in or a special occasion, this free-range chicken leg dish is sticky, savoury, and so easy to put together. The secret to this irresistible sauce? Guinness. This stout beer isn’t just for drinking; its distinctive taste adds depth, richness, and a distinct malty flavour that complements the honey and soy. As a standout ingredient, it also helps tenderise the meat to create juicy, flavourful drumsticks that will keep you coming back for more.
Take an everyday weeknight dinner to new heights when you try our free-range chicken leg meals in NZ.
Ingredients
- 12 Bird & Barrow Free Range Chicken Drumsticks
- ¼ cup liquid honey
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely diced
- 2 tsp finely grated ginger root
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- ¾ cup Guinness beer
Instructions
- Whisk together the honey, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and Guinness.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a large bowl. Pour over the marinade and mix well. Leave to marinade for 30–60 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Place the chicken into a large ovenproof dish. Pour over the marinade.
- Roast for 30–40 minutes until browned and completely cooked through. Turn the chicken once during cooking. Pour all the pan juices into a small saucepan and boil rapidly for 5 minutes to thicken (cover chicken with tinfoil to keep warm). Pour over the chicken drumsticks and serve.
Plate Up
Before serving, garnish your Guinness, honey, and soy marinated drumsticks with spring onions for a visually appealing element with complementary flavours.
We recommend serving your Guinness chicken legs with a variety of sides to create a complete and satisfying meal. Roasted potatoes offer a hearty and comforting accompaniment, while a lightly tossed salad provides a refreshing contrast. For a grain-based side dish, couscous with a simple lemon-herb dressing is a delicious and versatile option.
Why Use Free-Range Chicken Legs in Your Recipes?
There are many benefits of eating free-range chicken! These birds are raised in a healthier environment, free from the stress and confinement of cramped coops. With the space to roam, exercise their muscles, and get access to stimulation, they enjoy a more active and natural lifestyle, which contributes to firmer, more flavourful meat.
Furthermore, at Bird & Barrow, we work closely with specialist poultry nutritionists to provide our chickens with a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. This attention to detail results in meat that is packed with flavour and protein, making it a healthy and satisfying choice for the whole family.
For the Most Tasty, Quick & Easy Free Range Chicken Leg Meals in NZ – Shop with Bird & Barrow Online Today!
Ditch the dinnertime blues and choose happy, healthy chicken your family will love!
Bird & Barrow’s free-range chicken makes all these culinary adventures possible. It’s not just about convenience (though our recipes are anything but time-consuming!), it’s about raising the bar on flavour and quality.
Explore our easy recipes, buy your free-range whole chicken and legs at a local stockist today, and add these crowd-pleasing dishes to your family’s favourites!
