If your family loves a good chicken dinner, be sure to also check out our Crispy Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Thighs and Smoked Spatchcock Chicken.
Juicy Baked Drumsticks
If you’re bored with the same old chicken dinner recipes and need something easy that the whole family will love, these baked chicken drumsticks are going to come in clutch. They’re super simple, take 5 minutes to prep, and they turn out juicy and delicious every time.
Why these Baked Chicken Drumsticks work
Never dry. Dark meat like chicken drumsticks or thighs stays juicy and moist without drying out as easily as chicken breasts. Plus, the skin helps hold in the moisture and the bones themselves make for even more flavorful meat. Customize the flavor. Use your favorite premade spice blend to make this recipe your own or go with the classic seasonings that we share below. Ditch the knife and fork. Kids love eating chicken legs because you can get medieval and eat them with your hands instead of utensils.
What you’ll need for Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks
This is a quick overview of some of the important ingredients you’ll need for these easy chicken drumsticks. Specific measurements are in the printable recipe card below.
Chicken drumsticks: You’ll want bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks, although really this recipe would work just the same with chicken thighs. Seasoning blend: We stuck with classic flavors using pantry spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning with some salt & pepper, but any of your favorite seasoning blends would work well here. Two tablespoons of taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, ranch seasoning, and Greek seasoning are all delicious on baked chicken drumsticks and thighs!
How to Cook Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven
It’s super easy to make chicken drumsticks in the oven. This is a quick overview with step-by-step images to help you visualize the process. Scroll down to the recipe card for printable, detailed instructions. Here is the basic approach:
How long to bake Chicken Drumsticks in Oven
Typically it takes around 40-45 minutes to bake medium drumsticks at 425°F, although if your oven cooks hot or the drumsticks are on the smaller side they might be done sooner than that. I recommend checking them partway through baking to make sure they aren’t getting too dark on the outside.
Tips for Baked Drumsticks
Leaving space around each drumstick for the heat to circulate allows them to cook more evenly. Dirty fewer dishes by seasoning the meat on the baking sheet rather than in a separate bowl. Cleanup is a breeze if you line your baking sheet with foil first. Be sure to completely thaw the meat in the refrigerator before baking if it was previously frozen. Want to add a little heat? Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice rub.
Serving Baked Chicken Drumsticks
These baked chicken drumsticks really go with almost any side dish you can think of, but you can’t go wrong with some roasted veggies since you are already using the oven anyway. We especially like them with roasted asparagus, roasted cauliflower, or roasted green beans. Here are some other suggestions:
Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts Grilled Garlic Bread Oven Roasted Barbecue Potato Wedges
Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks storage
Store any leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can enjoy them cold in salads or for using in other recipes that call for baked chicken, or reheat in the microwave covered with a paper towel until hot. Or reheat in the oven or air fryer to help crisp up the skin a bit. They will take about 10-15 minutes in a 350°F oven or about 5-6 minutes in the air fryer at 380°F.
More Chicken Recipes
One-Pan Chicken, Green Bean, & Potato Dinner Crispy Chicken Sandwich Yakitori (Japanese Chicken Skewers) Chicken Stroganoff
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