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.
Shelley says
Planning on trying this recipe but doesn’t say how much oil is needed, how much oil is does it aquire?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Shelley! It’s listed right there with the rest of the ingredient measurements. Are you sure you’re looking in the recipe card? Either way, it’s 2 tablespoons.
Shelley says
Okay, I’m sorry about that I guess my eyes played a trick on me but anyway thanks for taking the time to reply back to my comment!
Jay says
I only have vegetable oil would that work?
Karly Campbell says
Yep, should be fine.
Sabia says
Awesome recipe! I add a salt free Cajun blend to the seasoning mixture and it takes the flavor up a few notches.
Karly Campbell says
I’m sure that’s delicious!
Amanda Smith says
Thank you so much for getting back to me in such a timely manner. I m to be making these later on today! Are there visual cues if one does not own a thermometer?
Amanda Smith says
If I make 4 lbs would I need to separate when cooking? Would I need to double my cook time?
Karly Campbell says
You’ll just need to make sure there is room for air to flow between each drumstick on the baking sheet. No need to increase bake time – just make sure they’re cooked to at least 165 degrees F. Many people cook drumsticks to 170-185 for more tender meat.
Jacqui says
Hi Karly,
Thereโs a thing (it says โDo not sell my informationโ) at the top of your post that obscures the air fryer temperature you recommend. Could you please put that information down here?
Thank you.
Karly Campbell says
Hi Jacqui! I don’t see anywhere that I’ve recommended an air fryer temperature, but we do these at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Karen says
This is my go to recipe every time. They turn out juicy and taste great!!!
Karly Campbell says
Aw, I love to hear that! Thanks, Karen!
Jessica says
Great recipe! I follow this recipe on a weekly basis.
Karly Campbell says
Love to hear that! Thanks, Jessica!
Albert Zuniga says
Fantastic flavors easy panty essentials. Thank you for sharing this great easy recipe.
marjorie heath says
thank you for sharing your recipes. my husband is diabetic, and I’ve been looking for some low carb recipes. this looks really good.
Karly Campbell says
Hope you both enjoy the drumsticks, Marjorie! ๐
Erin Allen says
I’m making this right now and I know it’s going to turn out well because it already smells so good in the oven.
Karly Campbell says
Enjoy! ๐
Albert L J Hall says
I would rather thatvyoum did NOT put you head in the oven especially if it’s a gas oven! Just saying.
Krista says
I more or less followed this but had to use Olive Oil because that’s all I had on hand. I also substituted the Onion Powder or Minced Onion and added some Blackening Seasoning (containing Cayenne pepper and Lemon among other things). It was quite tasty and baked well. My husband says we’re done with Shake & Bake now, and that this is better.
Karly Campbell says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Krista! I’m sure the blackening seasoning was tasty!
anne says
can I cook in a regular oven. I don’t have air fryer
Karly Campbell says
This recipe doesn’t call for an air fryer. It’s made for a regular oven.
Emily says
Delicious! I make this about once a month for my family. I keep meaning to write it down but I always just google it and find your site to look again! Husband and two picky toddlers approve. Thanks.
Karly Campbell says
So glad your family enjoys this one, Emily! ๐
CookingDave says
Giving this a whirl again — the chicken is in the oven…- my wife said” That chicken smells good” . 2nd time following your directions- first time it was delicious and we are expecting the same this time.
Karly Campbell says
I’m sure they’ll turn out just as tasty! ๐
mike says
it would be nice if one day americans realized the entire planet except them uses the Centigrade scale for temperature and they should put an F or C after stating a temperature rather than just assuming only americans will read what they have written
if I set my oven to 400 I would have a house full of smoke and some black looking chicken
Karly Campbell says
We’re well aware of the rest of the world, but also realize y’all are smart enough to not set your oven to 400 C. It’s also pretty simple to recognize an American recipe based on the use of measurements.
Sam says
With that logic everyone should be smart enough to know what temp to cook chicken at or why even bother mentioning it in a recipe? Your reply is extremely condescending.
Karly Campbell says
I matched your energy in my response. Clearly you’re not happy with the way I write recipes here, so thankfully there are a million other blogs you can use that may be a better fit.
Albert L J Hall says
Just read both comments and replies. I just find it condescending that most Americans seem to assume that theirs is the only way in anything. I di o not know if you yourself have travelled outside of the USA but the fact is that the vast majority of Americans have not indeed most do not even have a passport. This compares with most Europeans who will have in their live travelled in at least ten outside of their own and have a need for a common system of measurement .
Karly Campbell says
Hi Albert! It’s not at all that I’m assuming America is the only way to do anything. I’d love to get on board with the rest of the world and use a common measurement system! It’s just that over 95% of my readers are American and so that’s who I cater to. No condescension intended.
And yes, I have traveled outside of the United States a fair bit, though not in the last few years for obvious reasons. I’m well aware that most Americans don’t have the opportunity to travel outside of our country. Our vacation policies are pretty horrendous, as you’ve probably heard. And the US is HUGE, which makes traveling for those of us not near a border quite expensive and time-consuming. It’s at least a 3 hour flight for me to leave the country in any direction so keep that in mind as well when you’re judging Americans for never leaving their own country.
Have a great day!
Pat Nugent says
Take a nap pal, you are on a food blog, not the View!
Kim says
Thank you!
Connie says
Haha, Right, Some people just look for a reason to complian or debate..
Krista says
LMAO. Yeah, pretty much.
Erin says
Haha, amazing response!
Jennie says
Totally agree! Made this tonight…actually used your air fryer and oven ways to see which one we liked better! Thank you for this awesome recipe and making it so easy
Karly Campbell says
Well, now I”m curious! Which way did you prefer? ๐
Bev says
I just came across your recipe today when googling for ‘baked chicken drumstick’ recipes, which I am going to try tonight. I realize some of these comments are months old, but felt I had to add my 2 cents worth. I don’t live in the U.S. or in Europe. It doesn’t really matter where I live. But it is wrong to assume that most of your readers (95%?) are American and that’s who you cater too. The internet is worldwide, so people everywhere would be looking for good recipes, regardless where the recipes originate. Yes, I ‘am smart enough’ to know what temperature scale is used in a recipe. But I would think that it is a small thing to ask food bloggers to put an ‘F’ or a ‘C’ after an oven temperature. A matter of courtesy to people who happen to see your recipe, no matter where they live. Sarcasm in an answer (or in a reader’s comment too)doesn’t encouage anyone to follow your blog. No offence to anyone. Just my opinion and suggestion. However, I am trying this recipe tonight. It seems to be an easy and tasty recipe. – exactly what I’m looking for.
Karly Campbell says
Hi Bev!
I’m not assuming that 95% of my readers are in America. I use a tool that tells me the demographics of my readers, including location, so that I can cater to their needs better. I’m well aware that the internet is worldwide, but overwhelmingly my readers are not.
If you scroll through my comments you’ll see that 99% of the time I am helpful and kind in response to questions. But when someone is rude to me, I do believe it’s perfectly acceptable for me to respond in kind. If that’s not the type of website you’re looking for, then that’s up to you and no hard feelings on my end.
I do hope you gave the baked drumsticks a try and enjoyed them. They’re very popular in my house and always a big hit. ๐
Have a good day!
dottie says
just FYI-
wales, mayanmar(burma)and liberia use the imperial system as well..
Jessica M says
I made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious. I doubled the recipe, thank you!
Karly Campbell says
Thanks for sharing, Jessica!
Daniel says
This is a great and simple recipe. I like to bring dark meat like drums and thighs to almost 180แต. The meat is forgiving to 5 minutes extra cooking time, and is more tender than @ 165.
Thanks for the great recipe!
Miranda says
Hi, Karly! My husband and I enjoyed your Baked Chicken Drumsticks recipe for tonightโs supper. Normally, I never eat the chicken skin but I devoured it like tasty candy. It will be my favourite baked chicken drumsticks recipe.
Karly Campbell says
Haha, so glad you enjoyed it, Miranda!
Deborah York says
Thank you Karly for experimenting with recipes. It makes my retired lifestyle easier.
Karly Campbell says
So glad to hear that, Deborah!
Joy Randle says
Can you marinade overnight? Or best to cook right away?
Thanks
Great, simple recipe.
Karly Campbell says
Should be fine to let them sit overnight in the fridge. ๐
Vicky says
No one has mentioned peanut oil the standard for wok cooking because of lo smoking point.