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.
Michele Allum says
This was really good and easy. The only extra thing I did was add Ras el Hanout spice and also pierce the chicken and rub salt on it before marinating.
Karly Campbell says
Sounds delicious!
Ash says
Is the nutritional information for 1 drumstick or 6?
Karly Campbell says
It’s for 1.
Debra says
Love this recipe! I use grapeseed oil (it has a low smoke point) and I double the seasoning and let the drums marinate in the fridge overnight. SO yummy. I serve it with a small salad and jasmine rice.
Karly Campbell says
So glad you like the recipe, Debra!
Sam says
This has become my new go-to oven chicken. I’ve recently discovered smoked paprika, and this recipie uses it to a great advantage. Regular paprika just would not be the same. A definate keeper.
Karly Campbell says
So glad you enjoy the chicken and the smoked paprika! 🙂
Liv says
Do you need to cover the chicken while baking or leave it open on the baking sheet??
Karly Campbell says
Leave it uncovered.
Chelsea Hill says
I tried the recipe and it turned out great! Seasoned the chicken and let it marinate overnight. Cooked at 425 for 45 minutes. I also brushed the chicken halfway through with melted butter and garlic. Turned out pretty tasty!
Karly Campbell says
Thanks for sharing, Chelsea!
Joni says
5 stars! These are super good! The only thing I did different is added about 1/2 tsp baking powder to the rub. I had 10 large drumsticks and 45 minutes was perfect cooking time. I flipped them after 30 minutes.
Great flavor and juicy!
Karly Campbell says
Thanks so much, Joni! 🙂
Liz says
Ok – as a vegetarian, I have no idea how this tasted, but based on the reaction from my sons and husband when I made it for them, it was amazing! They devoured it, and commented on how savory and juicy it was. For others who asked about oil – I didn’t have avocado oil so used olive oil – followed the recipe exactly (425 degrees for 45 minutes) and it turned out wonderfully. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Karly Campbell says
So glad your family enjoyed the recipe, Liz!
Tony says
Hi Karly, Yes this recipe is super easy and tatstes great!
Thanks for sharing!! My mother used to do something simi8lar to this.
However you should really try and not promote single use plastics when applying the coatings. Mindless use of single use plastic is ruining the water ecology (both the oceans and ground water) all over the world. I say single use, because washing and re-using plastic bags after having meat and oil in them is very hard to do.
Similar results can be attained via a bowl, spoon and hands..all easily washable.
We all have to work together to avoid overuse of plastics..PLEASE!!
humm says
You can easily re-use a plastic bag before it goes in the trash: quick-rinse liners from cereal boxes, large frozen-veggie bags, or produce bags.
Susanne says
Great suggestions!
Shann says
My grandmoms was a bag washer lol try oxy clean. They use it to clean and sanitize brewing equipment which is how I found out about it
Mom Moose says
Never thought of cereal or veggie bags. Bread and bun bags work great too!!
A Gus Warren says
Try using baking soda and white vinegar to wash your plastic bags. I also use it to wash my veggies.
I purchase only freezer bags because they are durable.
Adi says
I hope you get this in good time Liz but you should look up the benefits of avocado oil. the most important being it’s high tolerance to burning. olive oil is not a good choice for high temps as it easily burns which makes it a carcinogenic.
emmie says
Avocado is good, but its nutrients are wasted by heating it since it IS so very expensive. A better flavorful option is sesame (or roasted sesame) oil or grapeseed oil. Both are affordable and can withstand heat.
Big Al says
Hi,
I am a single guy and I love this recipe. Thank you!! So easy! What is your best vegetable recipe to go with the chicken? I will be sharing the site with friends. Thanks again…
Karly Campbell says
Hey, so glad you enjoy the recipe! We have lots of sides here! Favorites include the cauliflower mac and cheese and broccoli salad with bacon. 🙂
Glen says
Hello,
We love the recipe, I just wanted to ask what the recommended time would be for 5 pounds of chicken leges. I have 15 legs to cook and I wanted to know if the cooking time should be doubled? Also should I still bake them at 425?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Glen! As long as you’re leaving space between each leg for airflow, the time and temp shouldn’t need to change. In the end, the safest bet is to use a thermometer to test for doneness though. 🙂
Jen says
What kind of salt? Table, sea salt, kosher?
Karly Campbell says
We use sea salt, but it should make much of a difference either way.
Alex says
Came out very rubbery. You should state if you use a convection oven or not.
Karly Campbell says
We do not use a convection oven. If we had, I would have stated that, but a conventional oven is standard so we don’t call it out. 🙂
Jerry says
Not everyone lives in the US though. I am glad I saw this comment because I live in europe in convection is standard here.
Amy says
I love these drumsticks. Today I used boneless skinless thighs instead. I bagged them up with oil and seasoning the night before to enhance the flavor. Cooked for 20 minutes at 425° and they were delicious.
Steve says
If they are drumsticks how long do you cook for do you use oven or air fryer?
Tony says
Nice to hear re the thighs, yum..
Please next time try not to use single use plastic bags in the prep though. A bowl, spoon does the trick!
Sharon says
Can I marinate the legs over night?
Karly Campbell says
I think that would be fine.
Monica says
I don’t have avocado oil if I sub the oil with vegetable oil what temp should the oven be at?
Karly Campbell says
I’m not sure what the smoke point is for vegetable oil, but I believe it’s over 425 so should be fine. 🙂
Christine says
Do NOT sub olive oil. My entire house filled with smoke me and my toddler had to get out for some air. Plus I’m 6 months pregnant.
Georgia says
Whew, thanks for the comment, just changed the oven temp down to 350 and will have to wait longer. You saved my chicken.
Meg says
Yeah of course you don’t sub it for olive oil, olive oils burning point is low…
Sam says
I’ve used this recipe with olive oil SEVERAL times and it came out delicious
Sharon says
I only use olive oil, never ever had any smoke and the chicken legs always came out perfect!! Incredible recipe! I usually cook about 12-14 at a time so I triple the seasoning. Thanks for sharing such an awesome recipe!!
Karly Campbell says
So glad you enjoy the recipe, Sharon!
Vicky says
This recipe immediately went into my recipe book, everyone LOVED them! I’ve got a family of 6 with picky eaters so having them all rave about how good supper was made this mama heart so happy!
Thank you!!!
I will be trying out more of your recipes for sure!
Karly Campbell says
Love to hear that! Thanks, Vicky!
Kara L Foley says
What is a serving size for this recipe? Also is the nutritional info in assuming you eat the skin as well?
Thank you,
Kara
Karly Campbell says
Hi Kara! The yield is for 1 drumstick, assuming there’s 6 in your two pounds. The nutrition info will vary slightly if your drumsticks are larger or smaller. The nutrition includes everything included in the recipe, so yes, the skin is counted.
Kristie says
I am making these for a graduation party. Can I keep them warm in a crockpot or will that impact the crispness?
Karly Campbell says
They won’t stay crisp if you put them in the crockpot.
Ari says
Delicious and so simple. Thank you!
mamapollo says
Hi! could we use party wings for this recipe?
Karly Campbell says
You’d need to adjust the bake time as they’re a lot smaller.
Beth Wilson says
Hi, your recipe sounds wonderful. Thousands of reviews and 4.5 stars! That says something! First of all, thank you so much for sharing this. Secondly, can I use regular CANOLA oil? I have the NON-GMO, canola oil. You mentioned a smoking point. I don’t want to catch my oven on fire. I’m going to use parchment paper too, for easy clean up. Please let me know if I can use Canola oil. I printed our your recipe and watched the video. Can’t wait to try this. Thank you! Beth
Karly Campbell says
Hi Beth! You can use canola oil…the smoke point just means that the oil will smoke and break down. The oven won’t catch fire. I’m not sure what the smoke point is on canola oil.
Hope you enjoy the chicken!
Beth Wilson says
I just tried this recipe tonight! 5/4/21. It was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! This recipe is, as the phrase goes, worth writing home about.
I went exactly by the recipe! Only difference is, I tripled the seasoning. I had 6 chicken legs. My husband loved this too! I used paraffin paper and get this: The juices mixed in with the seasoning and when they “spilled” onto the paper, I was able to literally peel these DELICIOUS BITS off, and eat them! Mmmmmmm mmmmmm!!
I will definitely be making this again! Thank you again, for sharing this. It is a KEEPER! Yum, yum! 🙂
Karly Campbell says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Beth! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
TUNISIA EL says
Hello, super excited to try this recipe! Making it for bff birthday dinner! Can I use olive oil as a substitute? Unfortunately I don’t have avocado oil
Karly Campbell says
Yep, that will be fine.
Savanna M Stoddard says
Making this for dinner. Delicious I can’t wait
Savanna M Stoddard says
And it was a hit,even with my toddlers! Made some rice a roni, corn, and corn bread with it. Definitely will be making this recipe again
Jade says
Do you have a video for this meal?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Jane! There’s a video in the blog post that starts auto-playing as you scroll down. 🙂