Learn how to make the most delicious oven baked chicken drumsticks with crispy skin and juicy meat inside. This inexpensive and easy dinner is perfect for the whole family to enjoy on any day of the week.
I am a big fan of chicken drumsticks, chicken legs, and chicken wings. We enjoy them often as they are packed with so much flavor, have delicious skin, and juicy dark meat, making them perfect for baking, air frying, boiling, or grilling. They also make great leftovers and are kid-friendly.
Try next our favorite chicken leg recipes: air fryer chicken drumsticks, boiled chicken drumsticks, baked chicken leg quarters, and air fryer whole chicken legs.
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Why you will love this chicken drumsticks recipe
- Simple ingredients: besides the chicken, you probably already have the rest of the ingredients in your pantry.
- No cornstarch: the chicken skin comes out crispy without any cornstarch or baking powder.
- Easy recipe: only a few minutes of prep time and the oven does the rest of the job.
- Easy clean-up: A sheet pan lined with parchment paper makes clean-up a breeze.
Ingredients list
You can find the precise ingredient quantities in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Chicken drumsticks: the bottom part of the whole chicken leg, below the knee joint. Juicy and packed with flavor.
- Olive oil: I usually use regular or EVOO. You can also use vegetable or avocado oil.
- Seasonings: my favorite seasoning blend for chicken legs includes salt, paprika, brown sugar, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, ground coriander, and black pepper.
Note: You can skip the brown sugar, but I love how it balances out the savory and spicy elements in the seasoning and helps caramelize the skin.
How to bake chicken drumsticks
Using the right amount of seasonings, achieving the crispy skin, and cooking them to higher temperatures result in the best-baked chicken drumsticks.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees f. Line the baking pan with parchment paper. Pat dry chicken drumsticks with paper towels to get rid of any excess moisture Combine all the seasoning in a separate bowl.
In a large bowl, add chicken legs, olive oil, and the seasoning mix. Using your hands, massage and toss chicken legs so they are evenly coated with oil and all the spices. You can also add more oil, it the seasoning won't stick to the chicken.
If you have at least 30 minutes, you can let them marinate. If not, just go ahead and bake them right away.
Bake chicken drumsticks at 400 degrees f for about 40-45 minutes without flipping them. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the drumstick, making sure it doesn't touch the bone.
The chicken drumsticks are ready when the internal temperature reaches at least 175 degrees f. Take them out of the oven and let the meat rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe tips and storage instructions
- Pat dry chicken drumsticks with a paper towel for crispier skin.
- You can use other seasonings and spices: try Cajun, Lemon-pepper, Italian seasoning, and more.
- You do not need to flip chicken legs once they are in the oven; this tip makes the skin even crispier.
- Try serving them with dipping sauces such as BBQ sauce, ranch, or blue cheese.
- How to store: let leftovers cool down at room temperature, place them in an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Side dishes
We like to pair baked chicken legs with simple side dishes prepared in the oven or air fryer:
- Air fryer baked potatoes
- Roasted red potatoes
- Roasted potatoes and green beans
- Air fryer carrots and potatoes
- Air fryer baked sweet potatoes
- Air fryer asparagus
- Oven-roasted green beans and carrots
Frequently asked questions
Based on my experience, 400°F is the best temperature for baking chicken drumsticks. This temperature ensures even cooking, juicy meat, and crispy skin.
It takes about 40-45 minutes to bake chicken drumsticks at 400°F. They are ready when the internal temperature reaches 175°F, the skin looks browned and crispy, and the meat is no longer pink inside.
No, I never cover chicken drumsticks while baking them. If you cover them, they will take slightly longer to cook and the skin will not be as crispy.
📖 Recipe
Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
- 1 small bowl
- 1 baking pan lined with parchment paper.
Ingredients
- 6-8 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano or dried parsley, thyme or rosemary
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar dark or light
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Line baking pan with parchment paper. Pat dry chicken drumsticks with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt , 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder , ½ teaspoon ground coriander , ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- In a large bowl, add 6-8 chicken drumsticks, 2 tablespoons olive oil and the seasoning mix. Massage with hands to evenly coat the chicken with oil and spices.
- Place seasoned chicken drumsticks on a prepared baking pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes without flipping. The internal temperature should reach at least 175℉.
- Once ready, take them out of the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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