Chicken Drumstick Recipe

This roasted chicken drumsticks recipe couldn’t be easier! Sometimes simple is best, and when it comes to oven baked chicken legs, that couldn’t be more true. They are incredibly crispy, flavorful, and delicious, but they also only take 10 minutes to prep. I’m excited to show you how to cook chicken drumsticks using my favorite method, all my tips and tricks for cooking chicken legs in the oven, what to serve with them, and more. This post has everything you need to know!

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for baked chicken drumsticks, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Try replacing the seasonings with Italian seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, or Cajun seasoning, or add them in addition to the above. If your seasonings contain salt, reduce or omit the salt added separately. You can also make complimentary additions to the above seasonings, such as oregano, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or even chopped fresh herbs.

This section shows how to cook chicken legs in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Your prep for oven roasted chicken legs is centered around encouraging air circulation to get them crispy.

For average sized drumsticks, chicken leg bake time is 35-45 minutes at 425 degrees, flipping halfway through. The exact time will vary a bit, due to varying oven temperatures as well as drumstick size.

I have several simple, but important, tips to ensure your crispy baked chicken legs turn out perfectly each and every time:

Store leftovers of this easy chicken drumstick recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Yes, you can freeze raw chicken drumsticks for up to 9-12 months. Lay them on a parchment lined sheet pan in a single layer and place in the freezer. Once solid, you can move them to a freezer bag for more compact storage.

TIP: If you like, you can brush with butter and season the chicken legs before freezing.

Crispy-Skinned Baked Chicken Drumsticks

A simple everyday recipe for baked chicken drumsticks. Simply coat them with a mixture of olive oil and spices, then bake!

Prep: 10min

Total: 50min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 2 drumsticks

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 2 drumsticks, calories 288 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Protein 28 g, Fat 18 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Sodium 709 mg

Ingredients:

• 8 (4 oz each) skin-on chicken drumsticks ((about 2 lb. total weight))
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instruction:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with high-heat-resistant parchment paper and arrange the drumsticks in a single layer on the parchment.
2. Make the seasoning paste: In a medium bowl, use a fork or a spatula to mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, and spices.
3. Using a pastry brush or your hands, coat the chicken pieces with the seasoning paste.
4. Bake the drumsticks uncovered until their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, about 40 minutes.
5. Baste the drumsticks with the pan juices using a clean pastry brush. Serve immediately.

Baked Chicken Legs Drumsticks (Super Crispy!)

This 10-minute-prep easy oven roasted chicken drumsticks recipe will make SUPER crispy baked chicken legs that turn out perfectly every time!

Prep: 10min

Total: 50min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 190 kcal, Carbohydrate 0.4 g, Protein 13.5 g, Fat 14.7 g, Saturated Fat 6.7 g, Trans Fat 0.3 g, Cholesterol 90 mg, Sodium 333.6 mg, Fiber 0.1 g, Sugar 0.1 g, unSaturated Fat 6.6 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 6 medium Chicken drumsticks ((~1 1/2 lb))
• 1/4 cup Unsalted butter ((melted; or olive oil or avocado oil))
• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instruction:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place an oven safe rack on top. (I use this set, which includes the baking sheet and rack that fits perfectly.)
2. Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels, which will help them get crispy. Arrange the chicken legs on the rack.
3. Brush the chicken drumsticks with melted butter. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
4. Bake the chicken legs in the oven for 25 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F (77 degrees C).
5. Optional step: If the chicken drumsticks are not as crispy as you like, place under the broiler for a couple of minutes to crisp up the skin more.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

This is my favorite chicken drumsticks recipe❗❗ My husband wants to eat it almost every day!!

FAQ

How to make Gordon Ramsay chicken drumsticks?

Is it better to bake drumsticks at 350 or 400?

How long does it take to cook chicken drumsticks?

How to cook drumsticks easily?

What do you soak drumsticks in?