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!
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.
J says
Do you put the chicken on the middle rack, bottom, covered, uncovered???
Karly Campbell says
I leave it on the middle rack and do not cover it.
Brian says
It’s Papas turn to cook tonight. I just saw this recipe and will give it a whirl. Seems simple enough for even a PaPa. Only challenge is I just too drumsticks out of the freezer an hour ago.. Hope it works! Thanks
Karly Campbell says
Good luck! Hope they turned out tasty for you!
Donna says
I concur with all of the other reviews that this is an amazing , very tasty recipe. I save the bones and scraps to make a chicken bone broth that’ll knock your socks off!!!
Jeff says
I wanted the skin more crispy, but the stuff on the pan was starting to smoke. So I cooked another batch (12 legs) for 25 min on cookie sheet, then pulled and put on a rack on another sheet, and baked another 15+ min at 450. This was done with convection. I also left out the parsley until after baking, to make it look like the pretty pics. More work, but I like it even better.
Matt says
I made a double batch of these, but added a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce in with the oil and seasonings. My wife hates chicken on bone, she will usually only eat boneless breast. But she loved these. Thank you. Try the Worcestershire, it’s a nice touch
Karly Campbell says
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Karin Day says
OMG!! I love how it’s always the simple recipes that just nail it every time. I have to admit that I was at the store feverishly trying to figure out something different to please my Keto lifestyle family and was standing in front of the pasture raised section of my favorite grocery store when I noticed that the chicken drumsticks were on sale. I looked up your recipe, grabbed the legs and stuff for a salad and… again… I figured I had everything I needed. Then when I started putting it all together my “fresh” parsley wasn’t parsley, but cilantro! So that’s what I used and they turned out great!!
Karly Campbell says
So glad you gave these a try! 🙂
Rand says
You are awesome! Which rack placement/level for the sheetpan? For this baked chkn drumstick recipe? Thank you.
Karly Campbell says
Hi Rand! I pretty much always use the middle rack. 🙂
Miranda says
How much longer do these need to cook for if you have 12 drumsticks? Making them on Sunday, they look delish!
Karly Campbell says
You shouldn’t need to increase the bake time, just don’t overcrowd the pan.
Lexi says
What difference do I have to make to the ingredients or cooking time if I want to use chicken breasts instead ?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Lexi! Bone-in chicken breasts will cook at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until a thermometer hits 165.
Cindy says
Going to make these tonight but there skinless. I hope they’ll be as good as everyone else’s.
Is there anything different I should do? Thanks
Karly Campbell says
Hi Cindy! It’s the skin that crisps up, so I’m sure yours will still be tasty but don’t expect a crispy outside. 🙂
Connie says
Just made it and the family loved it. Had some thighs with it and they were awesome. Thank you so much
Ally says
❤️ it! This recipe is a keeper! Not only is it simple but it’s also delicious! My kids even had seconds. The only thing I changed, and that’s only cause I know my salty taste, I used 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tsp pepper.
Alayney says
Here it is 8:00PM and I forgot I took these darn drumsticks out of the freezer yesterday and MUST cook them NOW. Came across this recipe from a quick Google search of “chicken drumstick recipes.” SO QUICK AND EASY for one and I’ll just assume they’re going to be great (in the oven as we speak)! Thanks!
Jose Castellanos says
I made this last night and it was delicious. I coated the chicken in a bag with the oil first, before throwing in the spices. My daughter and I killed these. My daughter was upset that I only made two for each. Next time, I’ll make more. Very good.
Char says
I found this recipe last minute before I was going to cook some drumsticks that were thawed in my fridge. I have never enjoyed drumsticks. I have no idea how to cook them. I almost used some bang ranch recipe. I followed this recipe, and I am so glad! My husband said this was the best chicken he has ever had! I even ate it, I usually just pick at my meats. I was weary at first because I only had olive oil and it got quite smokey, but it was PERFECT! Thank you so much for this recipe. I now can buy affordable drumsticks and be confident that I can make a great meal.
Karly Campbell says
That’s so great to hear. Glad you gave these a try! 🙂
ALEX says
DO YOU DIP CHICKEN IN ANYTHING BEFORE COATING W/ SEASONING? WHAT IS USED TO KEEP THE CHICKEN COATED?
Karly Campbell says
I didn’t dip the chicken in anything prior to seasoning.
Staci says
The oil is what keeps the spices stuck to the chicken.
Meghan says
I actually forgot to use oil and the seasoning stayed on fine.
Paige Lilly says
Made this tonight and my goodness!! Best chicken I’ve EVER had. I added some cayenne for a kick but other than that followed the recipe exactly. I’ll be making this from now on all the time! Thank you!
Karly Campbell says
So glad it was such a hit! 🙂
Brassmang says
Made it for dinner tonight. We loved it. Skin said crispy and complimented with wok veggies. The recipe is in my phone now.
Michelle says
Made these but put them on a oven safe cooling rack with foil underneath on a baking sheet. The skin turned out so crispy you could hear it crack when I checked the internal temp.
Turned out fantastic. Thanks!
Fia says
Made this for dinner tonight and my husband ate almost all the drumsticks. He’s a very picky person so this recipe right here is a GO! I used veggie oil beecause I never buy avocado oil and it still turned out great. I will definitely make it again.
Karly Campbell says
That’s awesome!