Baked Chicken Drumsticks are the easiest way to get dinner on the table quickly! The skin crisps up in the oven, the seasoning is simple and perfect, and the chicken legs come out juicy every time!
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When I roast a chicken it’s a sure thing that my kids are going to fight over the chicken legs.
I don’t know if it’s because kids just like eating with their hands or if it’s because chicken legs are delicious, but it happens without fail every time.
I don’t roast a whole chicken all that often, since everyone seems to want the legs anyway. I make these baked chicken drumsticks instead and everyone is happy!
My baked chicken drumsticks recipe is simple enough that anyone can do this and it creates juicy chicken, crispy skin, and it’s all perfectly seasoned! You’re going to love this one. Check out our
Ingredients for Baked Chicken Legs:
Chicken – We’re using skin-on chicken drumsticks here. The skin is crispy and flavorful and helps keep the interior nice and juicy.
Seasoning – You’ll need a mix of smoked paprika (affiliate link), garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Oil – When cooking at higher temperatures, we like to use avocado oil (affiliate link) has a higher smoke point than olive oil. We have had lots of readers use olive oil and been happy with those results as well.
How to make baked chicken drumsticks:
These oven baked chicken legs are super simple and the seasoning blend is perfect!
Mix together the spices in a small dish.
Add your drumsticks to a plastic bag or large bowl and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle the seasoning on, seal the bag, and mush things around to coat the chicken.
Dump the chicken out onto a baking sheet and bake! The prep work here is so quick!
How long to bake chicken legs:
These baked chicken drumsticks only take a few minutes of prep and just about 45 minutes of bake time.
We’re baking these chicken legs at 425 degrees. If our oven isn’t good and hot, the chicken skin won’t get crispy and no one wants rubbery chicken skin!
The meat should reach 165 degrees in about 45 minutes and then your chicken legs are ready to devour!
What is the best temperature to cook chicken legs?
We prefer to bake our chicken drumsticks at 425 degrees. This allows the chicken skin to crisp up and the interior stays nice and moist. It may seem like a high heat, especially compared to some other recipes but we have thousands have 5 star reviews on this recipe that speak for themselves!
What to serve with oven baked chicken legs:
Broccoli Rice Casserole: Made with cauliflower rice so it’s packed with veggies!
Keto Asparagus: The kids even like this one!
Fried Radishes: They’re similar to a potato when cooked.
Keto Coleslaw: This is my mama’s famous recipe!
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese: Totally satisfies that mac and cheese craving!
Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
- Add all of the ingredients to a large zip top bag and seal. Smush the chicken around in the bag to coat in the seasoning.
- Arrange chicken on the baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165 degrees.
- Serve immediately.
Christy Olsen says
Easy and very tasty!
Desz D says
It was easy, fast and delicious.
I will make it again
Karly Campbell says
So glad to hear that!
Anne says
forgot to rate on last review! Excellent recipe, but 45 minutes is WAY too long for drumsticks unless you want them way overcooked. Mine were at 175 degrees in 25 minutes. Will do next time at 15 minutes which will probably be at 160 and let them rest to come to 165.
Karin says
Delicious way to cook drumsticks. Juicy, lots of flavor. Big hit!
Sherri Wilson says
This is so good! My picky eater family ate them all! This is a keeper.
Karly Campbell says
I’m so glad to hear that!
Patti Petruzzelli says
This chicken turned out to be the best I have ever made. My family loved it and wants me to make it again and again. It was so juicy and flavorful.
Karly Campbell says
I love to hear that! So glad it was such a hit!
Punkin Pistolero says
I did this with drumsticks And it was very good. I substituted the pepper for Lemon Pepper and the salt for Garlic Salt.
BeeTracer says
Absolutely love that you don’t have to worry about flipping the chicken over. The cook time is absolutely SPOT on! Put them in the over and then went and took a bath! Well done, well done!
Karly Campbell says
I’m so glad you enjoyed these! thanks for the review!
matt coyne says
my family really enjoy this baked chicken, cooked 45 minutes was just right. perfection.
Rex Bristow says
I was hooked after mixing the spices! Wonderful fragrence. I will do a taste test when I serve these up!
Janet Davis says
I made this for dinner and my husband and I both loved it! I think I am going to try it with boneless thighs also.
Karly Campbell says
It’s delicious with thighs! Enjoy!
Della B. says
How long to bake if using chicken thighs?
Karly Campbell says
Here’s our recipe using thighs: https://thatlowcarblife.com/crispy-baked-chicken-thighs/
Valerie says
I loved this recipe. It was super easy and a family favorite
Karly Campbell says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, Valerie!