• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sava's Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • By Category
    • Ukrainian
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Main dishes
    • Sides
    • Soup
    • Sweet treats
  • About
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks

    Published: Nov 29, 2022 by Sava's Kitchen

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These air fryer lemon pepper chicken drumsticks are juicy and full of flavor. You will need only a few ingredients and 30 minutes to make this delicious and healthy meal. 

    It is not easy to keep up with cooking full meals every night, as it requires time, energy, and creativity to make sure everyone will enjoy it.  

    There is a reason why these crispy air fryer chicken drumsticks have been our family's favorite. I also recommend trying our Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Drumsticks.

    Air fryer chicken legs can be prepared to last enough for 2-3 days and you can serve them with so many sides to have a different dinner every night. 

    They have crispy skin and remain juicy inside. Made with simple seasoning and real lemon juice to create the most flavorful and tender meat, these lemon pepper drumsticks will be a hit on your dinner table.

    You can also bake them, but the air fryer creates a super crispy skin while cooking it so much faster than in the oven.

    By the way, while you air fry the chicken, use the oven to make Sheet Pan Potatoes and Broccoli to go with it. 

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients notes and substitutions 
    • How to make crispy lemon pepper chicken legs in the air fryer
    • What to serve with
    • Recipe tips
    • Cook it from frozen
    • Make ahead
    • Frequently asked questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients notes and substitutions 

    Check out the recipe card below, for the ingredients' quantities. 

    Labeled recipe ingredients on a white background. The spices and fresh lemon are arranged on a wooden board.
    • Chicken drumsticks: I used 5 medium chicken drumsticks. That is approximately 1.5 pounds. They all perfectly fit in my Ninja air fryer. 5 drumsticks are enough to serve about 2 people. 
    • Olive oil: olive oil has the best flavor to cook lemon and pepper chicken. But you can also use avocado oil instead. 
    • Lemon: I suggest fresh lemon juice from half of the lemon for the best results. But you can also use 1 teaspoon of lemon pepper seasoning instead. Use the other half of the citrus for serving. 
    • Salt: I used ½ teaspoon of salt per 5 drumsticks. Add more by taste if needed. 
    • Black pepper: I used a store-bought ground black pepper as it is finely ground and is great for marinades. You can grind whole peppercorns too, but I suggest saving those for serving as they have a more pungent flavor. 
    • Garlic powder: it goes well with lemon and pepper to create the best taste. 
    • Paprika: It is optional, but I like to use it for extra flavor and color. 

    How to make crispy lemon pepper chicken legs in the air fryer

    Step 1 - Season the chicken: first, pat dry chicken drumsticks with paper towels for extra crispy skin. In a medium bowl, add chicken, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Use your hands or a large spoon to mix until each leg is evenly coated with the seasoning. 

    Step 2 - Let it rest: for the best results, let the chicken sit in the marinade for 15-20 minutes at room temperature. Cold, straight from the fridge meat will cook unevenly. 

    A glass bowl with raw chicken legs coated in red seasoning. The lemon is being squeezed over the chicken.

    Step 3 - Cook: preheat your air fryer for about 3 minutes at 400°F. Place the chicken drumsticks in a fryer basket without overcrowding it. Chicken pieces can touch, just do not overlap them. Air fry at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes, flipping it once halfway through. Chicken legs are ready when the internal temperature reaches 170°F.

    Note: add 5 more minutes of cooking time if the chicken's internal temperature is not 170 degrees after 25 minutes.

    Step 4 - Serve: enjoy it right away with fresh lemon wedges and extra black pepper on top. 

    Raw seasoned drumsticks in air fryer basket on the left image and cooked ones on the right image.

    What to serve with

    Luckily, lemon pepper chicken goes well with many vegetables, grains, and salads. 

    Vegetables: serve it with our popular Roasted Green Beans and Carrots or Cast Iron Onions and Potatoes. 

    Grains: you can enjoy this chicken with steamed rice or try to diversify your diet by serving it with our Instant Pot Millet or Instant Pot Buckwheat. 

    Meal-prep: chicken drumsticks reheat well and are great for your meal prep to pair with any side or a crispy fresh salad. 

    Close-up view of cooked chicken legs with a few fresh lemon wedges and specks of black pepper on top.

    Recipe tips

    • double the recipe if serving more than 2 people. 
    • if your air fryer does not have a preheat function, do it manually for 3 minutes at 400°F
    • room temperature meat will cook more evenly. 
    • cook in batches if needed, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
    • cooking times may vary depending on the air fryer model. I used my Ninja XL to make this recipe. 

    Cook it from frozen

    To make lemon pepper chicken legs from frozen:  

    • Preheat the air fryer. Arrange seasoned frozen chicken legs in the air fryer basket and cook for about 35-45 minutes at 375°F or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F.

    Make ahead

    To Marinade: you can keep the chicken in lemon and pepper marinate for up to 24 hours in the fridge. When ready to cook, simply let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes to bring it to room temperature. 

    To Refrigerate: place any leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate them for up to 3-4 days. Do not let the cooked chicken sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. 

    To Reheat: you can reheat the legs in the air fryer or the microwave. 

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I freeze chicken drumsticks?

    Yes, you can freeze cooked chicken drumsticks for up to 3 months.

    Can I use the oven to make the recipe?

    Yes. Bake them on a baking pan lined with parchment paper for about 50 minutes, flipping them once.

    Can I use this recipe to make lemon pepper thighs?

    Sure, follow the recipe instructions to cook thighs or even wings. The cooking time will need to be adjusted accordingly.

    📖 Recipe

    Overhead view of a large white bowl with 5 cooked chicken legs and 4 lemon wedges arranged in a single layer.

    Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks

    Nataliia
    These air fryer lemon pepper chicken drumsticks are juicy and full of flavor. You will need only a few ingredients and 30 minutes to make this delicious and healthy meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Resting time 15 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course dinner, lunch
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 345 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 medium bowl
    • measuring spoons
    • 1 Air fryer I used Ninja XL

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 medium chicken drumsticks about 1.5 pounds
    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon paprika

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl, add chicken drumsticks, 2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon paprika. Mix well to coat. Let the chicken marinade at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
    • Preheat the air fryer. Arrange the chicken legs in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 170°F, flipping the chicken once halfway through. Add more cooking time if needed.
    • Serve right away with some extra freshly ground black pepper and lemon wedges.

    Notes

    • double the recipe if serving more than 2 people.
    • use the meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through.
    • adjust time depending on your air fryer model and type.
    • you can keep raw chicken in marinade refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
    • the nutrition facts are only for information purposes only.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2eaCalories: 345kcalProtein: 36gFat: 18.5gSodium: 450mg
    Keyword air fryer chicken drumsticks, lemon pepper air fryer chicken drumsticks
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Dinner recipes

    • Chicken Piccata with Mushrooms and Capers
    • Mango Salmon Salad
    • Turkey Meatloaf With Zucchini
    • Baked Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A young woman image from heat to the waist. She has long brown hair and wearing a leather jacket over a dark blue t-shirt. She is smiling and looking at the lens of camera.

    Hi there, I'm Nataliia. I am a content creator behind Sava's Kitchen. Here, you will find a lot of healthy family-friendly recipes. My focus is to create versatile nutritious recipes that taste great and are easy to make. Learn more about me by clicking below!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • How to Make Oat Flour in a Blender
    • Mediterranean Rice
    • Dairy Free Waffles: How to Make Waffles Without Milk
    • 5 Best Methods to Cook Sweet Potatoes: Pros and Cons

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Sava's Kitchen

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • About

    Copyright © 2023 SAVA'S KITCHEN ON FOODIE PRO THEME

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT