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.
Mary says
If i make the whole packet like 13/14 chicken legs would i have to double the amount of the ingredients and also time? This looks so delicious can’t wait to try it!
Karly Campbell says
Hi Mary! You would increase the amount of seasoning in relation to the amount of chicken, but the cook time should stay the same. You may need a larger pan or you could use a second pan, so things aren’t overcrowded.
Madison Bates says
Is this for two drumsticks? I see servings 1 but I am assuming that the serving size is two sticks. Because 1 drumstick is a tease
Karly Campbell says
The nutrition information is based on 1 drumstick.
Martha says
Getting ready to bake 16 drumsticks I was given. There is only 2 of us. After I cook these can I freeze some of them for other dinners?
Karly Campbell says
I would probably freeze them before baking them for the best quality. But yes, you can freeze them after baking as well.
Connie says
This chicken was delicious .Will be having it atleast twice a month.Thanks for the recipe. Very easy to prepare.
Karly Campbell says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Jason says
trying this recipe out
Teemun Store says
what a meal! i love it!
Karly Campbell says
So glad to hear that!
Rachel A Manning says
Wheres the oil go?
Karly Campbell says
It goes on the chicken with the seasoning.
Lac says
Could you use vegetable oil as a substitute it’s all i have on hand..
Karly Campbell says
Yep! That will work fine.
Sharon Rainey says
Will be trying this recipe next
Karly Campbell says
Hope you love it, Sharon! 🙂
Tessa says
Hi Karly, could you help me with the instructions a little bit please?
On the first step you say:
“Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.”
On the third step you say:
“Arrange chicken on the baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165 degrees.”
I’m confused with this phrase “or until a thermometer reads 165 degrees”. Does this implicate that the temperature falls down once you put the chicken into the oven? Or do you mean we should reduce the temperature to 165 degree?
As far as I know the temperature will fall down a bit when you open the oven but then it will come back to the previous setting. So when I set the oven at 425 degrees, it will go back to that temperature after I put my cooking in. Could you please help me here so that I can try your delicious recipe? 🙂
Karly Campbell says
Hi Tessa! The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees. The oven temp will stay around 425 degrees. 🙂
Bill Black says
If you don’t have a cooking temperature probe you can pierce a chicken leg with a fork. If the juice that comes out is clear it’s done if it’s bloody or runs pink it’s not done yet
Jazmin says
Would adding barbecue sauce ruin the flavor or would it add to it?
Karly Campbell says
You could brush on BBQ sauce if you like. I would brush on the BBQ sauce during the last 10 minutes or so, otherwise it may burn. 🙂
Donna Stram says
This is a really good, easy recipe. Have done it with drumsticks and thighs. Super reliable and tasty. I cook mine on a rack over a lined baking sheet for even crispier skin.
Karly Campbell says
Thanks for sharing, Donna!
Maureen says
Quick & easy recipe. Lots of flavor. I highly recommend it.
Karly Campbell says
Thanks, Maureen!
Ursula says
Please specify the temperature.
Is the recipe in celcius?
Thank you
Karly Campbell says
The recipe is in Fahrenheit.
Karlie Hammes says
Hi Karly! Do you cover with foil when you bake or no?
-Karlie :
Karly Campbell says
Nope! 🙂
Mary Lou says
Can I put on a baking rack placed in a sheet pan so air flows around all sides?
Karly Campbell says
Sure!
Carolyn says
I make this every week and my son loves it. I add a teaspoon of cajun blend spice and it fabulous and cook at 400 for 40 mins. Cooked all the way thru and juicy
Karly Campbell says
Love that! Bet the Cajun adds a nice little kick. 🙂
Shelley says
Just wanted to say I gave it a try and it was good, just got around to trying it!
Karly Campbell says
So glad you gave them a try!
Sam says
im kind of new to cooking and i don’t have any onion powder, what could i replace it with?
Karly Campbell says
You could really use any spices that you think will taste good. Our mix is just a basic blend of spices, but you can get creative and use whatever you like.
Brian says
This temp of 425 for 40min cooked my drumsticks (skin on) to over 205 degrees, not sure how you got 165 degrees.
Karly Campbell says
Hi Brian! Sounds like your drumsticks may have been on the smaller side or your oven might run a bit hot. Thankfully drumsticks are pretty forgiving and I hope yours turned out well!
B says
Brian, the recipes clearly states to ‘cook for 40 – 45 minutes OR until the internal temperature reaches 165. Smaller legs would reach an internal temp of 165 faster so would not need a cook time of 40-45 minutes!
SHAWN STAPINSKI says
These are so good. I make them exactly as written.
Why mess with perfect?!!
Ha!
I have several drumstick recipes, this is the fan favorite.
Shawn
Karly Campbell says
Thanks, Shawn!