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.
Jazzy Moon says
Thats not very nice. When does a dog ever deserve to be hit much less with a fist
Andy says
These look great and I’m going to make them tonight. Any thoughts about using a convection oven? How about using parchment paper? The serving size and calorie count don’t make sense to me. One chicken leg is 323 calories? I must be mistaken.
Karly Campbell says
Hi Andy! The nutrition is actually based on 2 pounds of drumsticks, which is generally 6, but they definitely vary in size. The oil adds around 50 calories per serving. We’ve only baked these in a regular oven. Parchment paper should be fine, though we don’t use it here.
Andy says
Well, we made them tonight and they were a super big hit. My wife, 14 year-old son and I really enjoyed them. We didn’t end up using the convection feature and put them on foil. Super tasty and super easy. This is a keeper! Thanks so much.
Karly Campbell says
Glad to hear that!
Jerry says
I just made up the mix to coat the chicken and there was only enough to coat two large drum sticks.
Karly Campbell says
Hi Jerry! The mix makes up about 5 teaspoons of seasoning, so that’d be pretty heavy handed for just 2 drumsticks. You can always make up more of the seasoning if you like that much, but the nutrition info will change accordingly.
Cynthia Ncube says
Dd mine on 200 degrees Celsius for an hour an grilled for 3 minutes it was realy Glorious
Karen Waring says
Absolutely delicious juicy and great flavor, thank you..
Karly Campbell says
Thanks, Karen!
Kate says
If I do only 3 drumsticks do I change the time at all?
Karly Campbell says
No, it should still take the same amount of time. 🙂
Gely says
Just popped these in the oven. They smell amazing already! First time cooking with avocado oil. Can’t wait to dig in!
Amy says
Hi Karly!
I have all of the necessary ingredients for your recipe, but more than six drumsticks. Would it be okay to cook more than six as long as there is enough room? If so, do I increase baking time?
Also, can I marinate the chicken with all ingredients, including the avocado oil, and place it in the fridge until ready to bake?
I appreciate any help you can provide.
Amy-
Karly Campbell says
Hi Amy! As long as there is room on the pan, you can use as many drumsticks as you like. You shouldn’t need to adjust the cook time or temp, but do increase the seasoning accordingly. And yes, you can definitely season and pop in the fridge before baking.
Doug says
If smoking is an issue than use Grape Seed oil. It has a much higher smoke point than what’s commonly used .
Byron Sheffield says
Love this recipe this is my third time making this I add extra seasoning to my chicken it comes out so good every time and the flavor is amazing I also season my chicken in the morning before going to work.
Chelle Thompson says
I made this using creole seasoning, added the green herbs and garlic, some black pepper, and put the melted butter in with the herbs. I tossed the chicken in the herbed butter blend and then coated it with ground sorghum wheat.
Umm says
You made it? Sounds like a totally different recipe to me. I don’t see butter or creole anything on the list if ingredients…
NB says
I agree with the person who used Umm as their user name. Chelle, you made a completely differnt recipe.
Becky says
I made this chicken recipe and it was so delicious. My family and I were amaze. Simple and delicious.
Karly Campbell says
Thanks, Becky!
Pam says
Thanks for the recipe. Our drumsticks turned out juicy, cooked and delicious!
Karly Campbell says
Thanks, Pam!
David says
Just made this using olive oil and they are excellent. Great recipe.
Karly Campbell says
Love to hear that! Thanks, David!
Burt says
I almost burned down my kitchen using olive oil for this recipe
Caitlin says
Can I marinate them ahead of time?
Karly Campbell says
You could add the seasoning in advance and bake them later in the day, yes. 🙂
Diana says
Will t work if I put them in the air fryer?
Karly Campbell says
Here’s the air fryer version: https://airfried.com/air-fryer-drumsticks/
Susan strohl says
I want to do thighs and legs this weekend. A large batch. Do thighs take 10 or more minutes longer?
Karly Campbell says
Here’s how we do thighs: https://thatlowcarblife.com/crispy-baked-chicken-thighs/
Yes says
Looks great will give a try , please cross fingers.
Bonnie says
Very good! I used EVOO as that was all I had – no problem with smoking. But I might give the avocado a try.
Bobby says
I accidentally punched my dog in the face.
George says
He probably deserved it!
Anthonydafag says
Same
Joojy says
Mine accidently ran into my fist