These oven-baked chicken drumsticks use only simple ingredients and take minimal effort to prepare. Pair with your favorite side dishes, and you’ve got an easy meal, perfect for a busy weeknight!
This is the easiest baked chicken drumsticks recipe, and the whole family will love them. Honestly, remembering to pull the drumsticks out of the freezer in time to thaw is the hardest part! After thawing, just take 5 minutes to prep the drumsticks with seasonings and pop them into the oven! This chicken leg recipe is a family favorite and was one of my go-tos when I was in school and needed to provide quick, easy meals for my family.
What to Serve With Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Baked Chicken Drumsticks are an easy weeknight dinner to serve with your favorite side dishes. Try out with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. Or serve up the chicken legs with baked sweet potatoes and a side salad. Quinoa salad also pairs well with the dark meat of the chicken drumsticks.
Tips for Success:
Make sure the drumsticks thaw completely before cooking. Otherwise, the outside could cook while leaving the inside raw. It is a good idea to thaw in the refrigerator overnight and avoid any last-minute panic. However, you may also place the drumsticks in an airtight bag and submerge them in a bowl of hot tap water. Change the water periodically until the drumsticks thaw completely. This should not take more than 30 minutes to an hour.
Cooking the chicken legs will require more or less baking time depending on the size of the drumsticks. It is okay if the sizes differ slightly, but watch carefully to ensure the chicken does not overcook and dry out.
As drumsticks are bone-in meat, they are oddly shaped and can cook unevenly. I prefer to check the temperature in several places on the chicken leg to ensure it is cooked to 165℉ (75℃) throughout. Another way to check doneness without a thermometer is by making a slice to the bone. Check that the juices run clear and the meat looks moist but not uncooked. I generally check the largest leg and allow the others to rest for five minutes before cutting into. This ensures that the juices will absorb back into the meat, creating tender dark meat (1).
You may want to place down aluminum foil or parchment paper across the sheet pan for easy clean-up.
Best Way to Use Leftover Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken drumsticks last 3-4 days in the refrigerator, and I will admit that I am a leftover-lover. This basic chicken legs recipe makes a great starter for meal prep and can be re-created into other chicken recipes with little effort.
Remove the meat from the bones, saving the bones in the freezer for chicken bone broth once you have enough! Sauté the chicken meat with taco seasoning or the spicy kick seasonings for chicken tacos. Or throw the chicken into a soup, stew, or on top of a salad!
If you choose to reheat the whole chicken legs, set the oven temperature to 350℉ (180℃) and bake for about 10-15 minutes until warm throughout.
Different Variations for the Seasoning Blend
There are endless ways to mix up the seasoning blend, and these are some of my favorite variations. Combine 1/2 teaspoon of each (though maybe a bit more salt).
Sea salt and black pepper: a must for chicken, no matter your combination
Spicy kick: paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, cumin
Classic: onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, dried parsley
Italian: dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder
Ingredients for Baked Chicken Drumsticks:
8 chicken drumsticks
high heat oil, such as avocado or duck fat, optional
favorite seasoning blend:
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Dash of paprika
Instructions for Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F, and cover the rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Place the drumsticks on the baking sheet and dab off the moisture with paper towels.
- Rub avocado oil or duck fat over drumsticks, optional (see notes*). Combine seasoning blend in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the drumsticks, front and back.
- Place the drumsticks into the preheated oven, and bake for 38-45 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ (75℃) on the meat thermometer, and the juices run clear when you cut into a thick portion.
- Let the crispy chicken legs rest for a few minutes, and enjoy!
*Notes: You do not need to add extra fat or oil to the chicken drumsticks, but it does help to retain some of the moisture inside the chicken. Be sure to use an oil with a higher smoke point, such as avocado oil or duck fat.
If you are not adding a little oil, watch carefully so the chicken doesn’t overcook and dry out. The chicken will still have crispy skin where it touches the pan, but the top may not become golden brown, so base “doneness” by the internal temperature and juices running clear.
Without the extra oil to stick to, you may also want to rub the seasoning mix onto the chicken rather than simply sprinkle them over.
Pin this recipe to save it for later!
Leave a Reply