Preheat the oven and prepare the chicken (10 minutes): Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Season the chicken drumsticks generously with salt and pepper.
Brown the chicken (10 minutes): In a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken drumsticks and sear until all sides are golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Sauté the aromatics (5 minutes): In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Prepare the coconut lime sauce (5 minutes): Stir in the coconut milk, lime juice, lime zest, fish sauce (if using), and sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Bake the chicken (30 minutes): Return the chicken drumsticks to the skillet. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Garnish and serve (5 minutes): Remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish the chicken with chopped cilantro and provide lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Pair this with...

Parmesan and Lemon Broccolini

Start with fresh broccolini, ensuring they're cleaned and trimmed. Lay them out on a baking sheet, so they've got some space to get nice and crispy. Drizzle with olive oil, letting it coat each stalk with a shiny gloss. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the broccolini, ensuring each piece gets its fair share of cheesy goodness. Into a preheated oven they go, roasting until they're tender with crispy, golden edges. Just before serving, zest a lemon over the top, adding a bright, zingy contrast to the savory Parmesan. Perhaps a squeeze of fresh lemon juice too, for an extra kick.

Simple Tossed Salad

Start by tearing your iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces, ensuring a cool and crunchy base. Thinly slice a red onion, adding a pop of color and a zesty kick. For a refreshing crunch, slice up some cucumber, and for a sweet contrast, add in slivers of red pepper. Once your components are prepped and in the bowl, give everything a good toss, ensuring the ingredients are mixed and every bite will have a little bit of everything. For a simple dressing, squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon over the top, adding a burst of citrusy brightness.

Garlic Bread

Grab a loaf of your favorite bread—baguette or ciabatta are classics. Slice it up, but not all the way through, so it fans out nicely. In a bowl, melt some butter and stir in minced garlic (as much or as little as you like), a sprinkle of salt, and maybe a touch of dried parsley for that extra flair. Generously brush or spread this garlicky goodness between the slices. Wrap the loaf in foil and pop it into a pre-heated oven. When it's golden and aromatic, pull it out and enjoy the buttery, crispy, garlicky delight.