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.
Cayleigh says
Adding half a teaspoon cayenne pepper, teaspoon soy sauce, using minced fresh onions and even ading teaspoon curry powder and half teaspoon ginger is super good. Adds so much more flavour. Oh and salting before going into the oven
Samantha says
I loved this! My daughter is on a GF diet so I substituted in almond flour and gf baking powder. We all loved it!
Janelle says
Absolutely delicious!Thank you for the recipe!
Beth says
Marinating in my fridge now…used coconut oil, shook I’m interested to see how it turns out! Smells great even before cooking.
Christian Gilbert says
Is the cooking time for legs right out of the fridge or near room temp?
Karly Campbell says
I generally take chicken from the fridge, season, and cook. I don’t let it set out. Cook times will vary regardless based on size and how accurate of a temp your oven is, so check with a thermometer. 🙂
Martin says
Trying this tonight in Melbourne Australia, added chilli flakes for that extra zing, will advise the result… Easy as anything to prepare, love it so far.
Karly Campbell says
Hope you loved them, Martin!
Chris Plan says
I tried this recxipe and I have to tell ya, its delicious. The only issue I had was since I have to be careful with salt intake, I only used one quarter teaspoon of salt. Unfortunately the spices seemed to enhance the salt and made it stronger than it should be so I will probably remove from the recipe next time. The flavor is great and using smoked paprika really makes it pop. Great recipe.!!!
Ronda says
Followed recipe exact- just doubled sauce per another review. Delicious and so easy. Kids ate every bit!! Not sure if the water is needed- I think it would be fine without. Definitely will put in the rotation!!
Linda says
Can you use any other oil?
Karly Campbell says
Yes, you can use any oil with a higher smoke point.
DIO says
Hey there I’m pretty sure avocado oil has the highest smoke point lol
Karly Campbell says
I meant ‘higher’ as in relatively high vs. an oil with a relatively low smoke point. 🙂 Anything above 425 would be fine.
Kristen Heyl says
I have made this but added crushed cheddar jalapeno snapd cheezits to the rub for the chicken and they came out great. I know it isn’t low carb that way but still good. Tonight, I am going to make them again and add crushed cool ranch doritos to the rub.
Nikki says
Thanks for the tip! Going to try this!
Lisa says
Hi! This recipe looks so tasty and I’m planning on making a huge batch for a get together tomorrow. Do you think it would work if I prepped and seasoned the drumsticks the night before and then baked it all the next day? Thanks!
Karly Campbell says
Hi Lisa! I think that would work great! Hope you enjoy!
Shari Corum says
Great recipe! I was out of regular paprika so I improvised and used 1/2 tsp each of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and sugar. Also, I cooked them in the airfryer at 400 for 10 min, flipped and cooked additional 8 min. Everyone loved them and that’s saying a lot in my house!
Karly Campbell says
Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for sharing how you made them in the air fryer!
Jane says
Really love this recipe❤️. I have used thighs and have removed the skin for myself but leave it on for my husband.
The chicken still comes out great. Had the same question about grilling, maybe indirect initially and then on the grill.
Thank you
Chad Campbell says
Hi Jane! So glad you enjoy the recipe! I’m not sure I’ve ever grilled chicken with the skin on before, but now I’m curious. If you give it a try, let me know how it goes. 🙂
Angela Sander says
Thank you so much. This was delicious and easy peasy. I did drumsticks first time for lunch with friends. I did wings to take to a family BBQ and they went down a treat. I’m making a couple of wings for a quick late supper for myself now and will have two ready for tomorrow’s lunch. This a permanent favourite for me now. I’ve also made the Greek salad three times. I usually find salad boring but not this one. Salad lunch with a soup and I’m good to go.
Karly Campbell says
So glad you’re enjoying the recipes, Angela!
Courtney says
This was fantastic! Crazy easy, perfect after work dinner. This will definitely become a regular here.
Karly Campbell says
So glad to hear that!
Kali says
Thanks for this recipe. It turned out amazing, I did alter it a bit though. I used 1 TBSP instead of 1 tsp of each of the above and for salt and pepper I used 1 tsp of each. I also put in 1/4 tsp of cumin and cayenne pepper. They came out crispy and we were scraping the pan!
Daina Wickham says
Agree with reviewers. Simple, house smelled amazing while they were cooking and my kids gobbled them up..even the one who usually doesnt eat drumsticks without complaining.
Karly Campbell says
Thanks, Daina!
Tina says
Your right this sounds good and I think I have all the ingredients in my kitchen. That’s always recipes I look for. Would this be good for chicken thighs as well and also skinless legs or thighs?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Tina! I have a chicken thigh version right here: https://thatlowcarblife.com/crispy-baked-chicken-thighs/
Jessie says
This was delicious. Both of my kids absolutely loved it.
Karly Campbell says
Love to hear that! Always nice when dinner isn’t complained about from the kiddos. 😉
Katie says
I love the flavor of this recipe and they baked in oven perfectly for me last time. Wondering if these would work on the grill?? I want to make this tonight and feel like grilling out! Has anyone tried it ?
Karly Campbell says
I think they’d be great on the grill! Be sure to turn them every 5-10 minutes so they don’t burn. Not sure how long they’ll take overall though. 🙂
Kirsten says
I love this recipe! What do you suggest for the temperature time if I’m using wingettes? I want to try making it for a party
Karly Campbell says
Hi Kirsten! I’d probably do 400 degrees for 40-50 minutes. 🙂
teriadegula says
very nice
Lizzie says
I want to try this. Do you cover them? Or just bake it like that?
Karly Campbell says
I would not cover these.
Nate says
Came across this recipe a few weeks ago when I had received chicken legs in my butcherbox and frankly didn’t know what to do with them. I’m not entirely sure if I ever want to deviate from this recipe ever again because it tasted amazing. Crispy, chicken was juicy and both of my kids ate it up (Notorious P.I.C.K.Y.). Not to mention how fast prep was.
Karly Campbell says
Love hearing that, Nate! 🙂