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.
Sandra says
I like the recipe but I found I had to make more marinade. I doubled it and didn’t have too much
darlene marilla says
i liked your word smushed
darlene marilla says
i made this recipe with a balsamic marinade put chicken in bag and smushed it around baked at 425 for about 25 minutes they were legs temp came ot right a little over 160 but crispy and not dry. good stuff
Karly Campbell says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’m sure this was tasty with balsamic!
Melena says
This recipe is so good! The chicken comes out juicy and not dry and the seasoning is just perfect!
Karly Campbell says
Thanks so much, Melena! Appreciate the review!
Jezell Roquemore says
do i flip them halfway or just let the oven do its thing?
Karly Campbell says
We just let the oven do it’s thing, but you can flip them if you prefer.
in search of crispy skin chicken fully in the oven says
dude what? don’t use this recipe. i’ve been trying to find a recipe that can accomplish crispy skin fully in the oven and haven’t found anything yet. i could smell the oil burning, came in at 30 min to test, and theyre all pushing 185 lmao. the only part thats crispy is the little bit of skin that was physically touching the pan, which could’ve been at least two sides if you had us flip it halfway. find a different recipe at a lower temp and check before half an hour and let me know if it exists.
Or, stick to what’s tried and true: get a cast iron scorching hot, only then add a high smoke point oil (like grapeseed or avocado oil), quickly brown and crisp up the chicken (5-8 min) then pop them in a 425 oven skin side down flip over after 8 min, and check temp after another 5 min
pro tip: butterfly drumsticks and legs by cutting a line through part of one side and flay them out so that the maximum amount of skin is touching the pan + they cook more evenly. + rotate the cast iron pan often when ur cooking it on the stove bc cast iron doesn’t heat evenly
Raynor says
Is this 425 degrees Fahrenheit not Celsius?
Karly Campbell says
Yes, it’s 425 degree Fahrenheit.
Joseph ne strickland says
Love this
Penny H says
I plan on trying this recipe, it sounds yummy. Can you add bar-b-que sauce while it is baking?
Karly Campbell says
I’m sure you could!
Leann says
Yes!! Before cook or right before done. Ive done both and either work
Glennette says
This was the best recipe! I used smoked paprika. My first bite I told my husband “holy **** this is good”! Will definitely keep using this recipe.
Karly Campbell says
Love to hear that! Thanks, Glennette!
Yvonne says
I loved this recipe for easy weeknight dinners. I buy the drumsticks in bulk and freeze them in meal sizes with the spices smushed. Then I put them in the fridge in the morning so they are thawed for dinner! Easy peasy
Karly Campbell says
Great idea!
Susan Trotman says
So easy love this recipe want to see more great
Dan Bradley says
From what I understand the oil is just to get the spices to stick to the chicken what could I do if I had no oil
Karly Campbell says
The oil also helps the skin to crisp up. You could use butter instead, if you have that on hand.
Candice says
can you prep the chicken a day before? will it still taste okay or will it taste over seasoned if there’s such a thing? Looks so easy to do I’m excited to try!
Karly Campbell says
Hi Candice! You can season these the day before you bake them, no problem.
Elizabeth Patora says
Loved. Great recipe. How long I should bake 1 pound.
Karly Campbell says
The cook time really shouldn’t change.
Vivian says
Did you flip the chicken every 30 min?
Karly Campbell says
Nope! We just popped it in the oven and let it go.
Norma Taylor says
This is one of my all time favourites, it is so easy and quick. Add a salad, or veggies and you have a quick and delicious meal.
Mary Arents says
This has been a family favorite for some time now – thank you!
Question – can I grill instead of bake?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Mary! I haven’t tried grilling drumsticks before, but I’m sure they’d be delicious!
Susan says
This recipe is an easy to make winner chicken dinner! I don’t really care for chicken so I trust others to tell me if they liked these drumsticks. They got rave reviews. My nephew ate 4 in a row at the 4 th of July party!
Karly Campbell says
Love to hear that!
Brian Z says
425 degrees – is that Celsius or Fahrenheit?
Karly Campbell says
Fahrenheit.
Paula J Dory says
I havent made a recipe yet..but they look so delicious that I know its going to be so yummy!! Thanks!
Joel Soukup says
This is a nice easy recipe with great results as written. It also lends itself to a little customization; just tweak the spice mix to your taste and keep everything else the same. It’s pretty hard to screw up!