Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Oven baked chicken drumsticks recipe. These easy baked drumsticks are juicy, tender, and flavorful with a crispy skin. Seasoned with a simple dry rub and baked to perfection, you will love these chicken legs.

Serve as finger food, or as a main dish with sides like fried potatoes, air-fried vegetables, rice, pasta, or any of your choice. Let me show you how to make it.

Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

This oven baked chicken drumsticks recipe is not only easy, and quick, but smells and tastes amazing. The baked drumsticks are juicy, and tender inside with crispy skin.

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these easy baked chicken drumsticks recipe and they are common pantry spices and herbs. It is made with a dry rub seasoning so no marinating is involved however if you prefer to marinate, use this awesome chicken drumsticks marinade.

This recipe requires very minimal prep as you only just need to mix the spices and herbs, season the chicken with it, and bake drumsticks in the oven. It's that easy for real.

Drumstick is a favorite among kids because of how easy it is to hold, and how delicious it is. It is a finger food that is popular at parties, BBQs, and social gatherings. You can't go wrong with it.

Chicken drumsticks are high in protein, nutrients rich, low-carb, and healthy.

This post will show you how to bake chicken drumsticks, how long to bake chicken drumsticks, storage information, tips, and answer some FAQS. This is the best chicken drumsticks recipe ever!

Related: Oven baked boneless chicken thighs, Baked chicken wings

Chicken Drumsticks Seasoning

The seasoning for chicken drumsticks used in this recipe is a simple dry rub that packs flavor. It makes use of a few dried herbs and spices such as paprika, parsley, thyme, garlic powder, black pepper, and onion granules.

To make the seasoning, add all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix till well combined. Apply this dry rub generously to the chicken and bake. No need for marinating but if you have the time, marinate for 30 minutes or more.

Any other good seasoning can be used on the drumsticks. Some seasonings that I have used on it and love include fried chicken seasoning, peri peri seasoning, jerk seasoning, and fajita seasoning.

To season drumsticks, clean and pat them dry with paper towels. Add seasoning to the chicken generously covering all sides. Arrange chicken on a baking tray and bake.

Ingredients

The detailed ingredient list, measurements, and directions for this simple drumstick recipe is in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here's an overview:

Chicken drumsticks - I use bone in skin on chicken drumsticks however you can take the skin off if you prefer.

Smoked Paprika

Parsley

Dried thyme

Garlic powder

Onion granules

Black pepper

Salt

Olive oil

How To Bake Chicken Drumsticks

Here's how to bake drumsticks in the oven:

Add the paprika, parsley, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper or cayenne pepper, and salt into a small bowl then mix till well combined.

Clean and pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels.

Add the seasoning to olive oil. Mix and apply the paste on the drumsticks ensuring that all the sides are covered with the seasoning mix.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper or foil and arrange the drumsticks on it in a single layer.

Bake chicken drumsticks at a temperature of 400F/200C for 45 minutes or till the internal temperature reaches 165F. Bake drumsticks for 25 minutes then flip the sides and continue baking for another 20 minutes.

Bring out the chicken, let it rest for a few minutes then serve.

Chicken is cooked when the internal temperature, when checked with a meat thermometer, is at least 165F/75C. You can also check for the doneness by opening one of the drumsticks up to check the inside. It should not be pink and the juice should run clear when cooked.

How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks

Depending on the size, and temperature of the oven, baking chicken drumsticks in the oven takes between 45- 60 minutes to bake chicken drumsticks. Another factor that might affect the baking time is where in the oven the tray is placed. It's best to place the tray on the center rack of the oven where it gets even heat circulation thus cooking the chicken evenly.

Also, cooking chicken drumsticks at a high temperature of 390F to 400F gives the best results as the drumsticks come out juicy, and tender with crispy skin.

How long to bake chicken drumsticks at 400F is 45 minutes.

For how long to bake chicken drumsticks at 375 is 50 minutes

To bake it at 350 will take up to an hour.

Drumsticks are cooked when cut into them the juice runs clear, and the inside is no longer pink. You can also check with a meat thermometer. If the internal temperature at the thickest part is at least 165F, it is cooked.

More Chicken Drumsticks Recipes

Here are some other drumsticks recipes that you will love. They are easy recipes that are quick to make and delicious.

Pan fried chicken drumsticks- Simple, and insanely delicious.

Air fryer chicken drumsticks- Quick, and stress free recipe that is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Instant pot chicken drumsticks- Easy, quick, and delicious. You will love it.

Boiled chicken drumsticks

Orange baked chicken

Air fryer fried chicken

What To Serve With Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Like other chicken parts, drumsticks are versatile and can be served with rice, pasta, vegetables, and potato dishes. Some sides we like serving it with are:

Boiled potatoes

Air fryer potato wedges, air fryer sliced potatoes

Pan fried vegetables

Boiled carrots

Jollof rice

Fried plantain

How To Store

Let any leftover drumsticks cool completely before packing in an airtight container, label then store in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you wish to store it for longer than 3 days then it's best to store it in the freezer straight away. It will last in the freezer for up to 6 months.

They can be used cold in salads or reheated in the microwave, air fryer, or oven.
To reheat in the oven: Arrange the drumsticks on a parchment paper-lined baking tray, put the tray in the oven, and bake at 360F/180C for 5 minutes or until heated through.

Once reheated do not refreeze so only reheat the quantity required.

Tips

• Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Add more cayenne if you like it spicy.
• It's best to line the baking tray with parchment paper (baking paper) or foil for easy cleanup.
• Leave space between the drumsticks on the tray. Space them out for the hot air to circulate evenly.
• Check on the drumsticks after 25 minutes and turn them to the other side.
• Flipping the chicken drumsticks halfway through baking helps the cook and brown evenly.
• Insert a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat to check for internal temperature.
• Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes before cutting into it.
• Baked drumsticks can be tossed in the sauce of your choice.

FAQS

Should I cover my drumsticks in the oven

You don't have to cover the drumsticks in the oven however if they are browning quickery than the recommended coing time then you should cover with foil to prevent the skin from getting burnt  and allowing the inside to cook.

How long does it take drumsticks to bake at 400

If baked at 400F, it takes approximately minutes to bake drumsticks in the oven.This may slightly basednon the size of the drumsticks.

Is it better to bake chicken legs at 350 or 400

It is better to bake at 400. Baking at a higher temperature allows the skin to crisp and the inside juicy and tender. Baking ay a low temperature of 350 will cook the chicken tender and juicy too but the skin might not crisp.

How long does it take drumsticks to cook in the oven

From 45 minutes and above. Check the temperature and timing guide above.

I hope you like this oven baked chicken drumsticks recipe as much as we do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

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