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.
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 to the drumsticks ensuring that all the sides are covered with the seasoning paste.
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 no longer be pink and the juice should run clear when cooked.
Notes
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.