Baked Chicken Drumsticks

$3.94 recipe / $0.66 serving
by Beth - Budget Bytes
4.74 from 41 votes
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You guys know how I love easy dinner staples, right? Baked chicken drumsticks are exactly that—an easy, no-brainer main dish recipe that you make with barely any planning or effort. Just coat the chicken with your favorite seasoning, toss them in the oven, and then focus on your side dishes or whatever else you have going on in your life while the drumsticks cook themselves. They’re easy, tasty, and the perfect “emergency” meal for when you just don’t want to have to think about, “what’s for dinner?”

Close up side view of oven baked chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet

Use Bone-In, Skin-On Drumsticks (or Thighs)

Dark meat chicken, like drumsticks and thighs, is very forgiving, especially when cooked with the bone-in and skin on. The skin helps hold in the moisture and the higher fat content of the meat helps it stay tender and juicy. You can swap in bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs using the same method in the recipe below.

Chicken breast needs a slightly different technique because it is a leaner cut of meat. For a bone-in, skin-on chicken breast I suggest using the method in my Herb Roasted Chicken Breast recipe. Boneless skinless chicken breast should be cooked using the method in my Garlic Herb Baked Chicken Breast recipe.

Other Seasoning Ideas for Chicken Drumsticks

I used a very classic mix of smoked paprika, garlic, onion, and oregano for this chicken drumsticks recipe, but you can literally use any seasoning blend you like for this. There is so much flexibility! Here are a few ideas for seasoning your oven-baked chicken drumsticks:

Want some sauce for dipping? Try these delicious sauces with your chicken drumsticks:

What to Serve with Chicken Drumsticks

I made some Easy Cheesy Broccoli Rice to serve on the side of my chicken drumsticks, but it would also go great with classics like: mashed potatoes, Mushroom Rice, Three Bean Salad, Oven Roasted Broccoli, Parmesan Roasted Potatoes, Simple Sautéed Vegetables, Roasted Potatoes, Loaded Smashed Potatoes, Herby Potato Salad, or Classic Coleslaw.

Baked chicken drumsticks on a plate with easy cheesy broccoli and rice
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Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks

4.74 from 41 votes
This oven-baked chicken drumstick recipe is the perfect dinner idea that can be flavored with any of your favorite seasonings.
Oven roasted chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet with tongs
Servings 6 pieces
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 40 minutes
Total 45 minutes

Ingredients

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Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  • Place the chicken drumsticks in a bowl and drizzle the cooking oil over top. Sprinkle the prepared seasoning over the drumsticks, then toss until they're evenly coated in oil and spices.
  • Place the seasoned drumsticks on a baking sheet with enough space around each so they're not touching. You can line the baking sheet with foil or parchment for easier cleanup, if desired.
  • Transfer the chicken to the oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 175ºF, flipping the drumsticks once half-way through. Serve hot.

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Notes

*You can use your favorite high-heat cooking oil. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1drumstickCalories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 23gFat: 17gSodium: 332mgFiber: 1g
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Video

Oven roasted chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet with tongs

How to Make Chicken Drumsticks – Step by Step Photos

herbs and spices in a small bowl

Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Decide what herbs and spices you want to use to season your drumsticks (see the text above the recipe for some ideas). I used a simple mix of 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper, ¼ tsp oregano, ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper, and ½ tsp salt.

Seasoning being sprinkled over chicken drumsticks

Place about 1.75 lbs. chicken drumsticks in a large bowl and drizzle 2 Tbsp of your preferred cooking oil over top.

Seasoned chicken drumsticks in a bowl.

Toss the drumsticks in the oil and spices until everything is evenly coated.

Raw seasoned chicken on a baking sheet

Arrange the chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet spaced out enough so they are not touching. You can line the baking sheet in parchment for easier cleanup if desired.

baked drumsticks on a baking sheet

Bake the chicken drumsticks for about 40 minutes, turning once halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 175ºF.

baked chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet with tongs, garnished with parsley

Serve hot and enjoy! (garnished with parsley for color, not needed for flavor)

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Comments

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  1. I make these all the time. I suggest pulling the skin back and getting some of the spice blend underneath.

  2. The spice blend was of my liking. However it’s flavor profile does not seem to mix well with other sides.

  3. The spices didn’t impart any flavor to the chicken, the cooking method leaves room for error such as dry meat and the overall dish is not impressive.

  4. I made these in the air fryer! 400° for 25 minutes, and next time I’ll do just slightly less time to get closer to the 165 mark (mine were 180+ coming out). These were so good! And it took just a couple minutes to throw together!

  5. Easy, delicious recipe! My husband and kids all loved it! One of my kids is extremely picky so I was very surprised when he asked for seconds.

  6. Love your recipe. And my husband loves it also. Thanks for a quick drumstick recipe.

    1. Made this tonight with 3 chicken legs and used the whole seasonings still excellent