Our Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven recipe is a simple yet flavorful dish that is perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends. Tender drumsticks are coated in a flavor-packed marinade and baked to golden perfection. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this recipe guarantees a family-approved meal that kids love.
Chicken drumsticks are a popular cut of chicken, especially among kids. Pair with their favorite sides and dipping sauces for a complete meal that they will love.
Being the lower portion of the chicken leg, the meat is rich and savory. Skin-on drumsticks are a great choice if aiming for a crispy and golden-brown exterior with a juicy center. The tenderness is what makes each bite enjoyable! However, you can also remove the skin for a lower-fat option without sacrificing flavor.
Whether you season with our flavor packed marinade or opt for any of the variations below, you will find that oven baked chicken drumsticks are extremely versatile. Plus, they are an excellent source of lean protein for kids and adults alike.
For more dinner ideas with chicken, consider Sheet Pan Rainbow Veggies & Chicken, Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets and Green Chili Chicken Soup.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 5 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Ingredient Swap: The chicken drumsticks can be swapped with chicken breasts, thighs or tenders to tailor this recipe to your preference or what is available. Different cuts of chicken have varying textures, flavors and cooking times so it is essential to consider these factors before making substitutions.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prep the pan. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Season the chicken drumsticks. In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, salt, dry mustard, and pepper. Place chicken legs into a large mixing bowl and pour the seasonings over the chicken. Using clean hands combine until all of the chicken is coated.
- Bake. Place the chicken legs onto a baking sheet (you might need two baking sheets depending on the size of the chicken legs). Bake for 40 minutes or the internal temperature hits 165°F.
Chicken Seasoning Variations
- Honey Garlic: Toss the drumsticks with a mixture of minced garlic, olive oil and honey before placing on the sheet pan to bake.
- BBQ: Coat the drumsticks with your favorite barbeque sauce after baking for 30 minutes. Continue to bake coated with the sauce for the remainder of the 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Ranch: Toss the chicken in a mixture of olive oil and packet of dry ranch seasoning. Add a splash of hot sauce for a tangy version.
- Lemon Herb: Mix with a marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. Rosemary, thyme and oregano all pair well with the zesty lemon.
- Soy Ginger: Coat with a batch of our homemade Gluten Free Stir Fry Sauce for an Asian-inspired option. Before serving, sprinkle the drumsticks with sesame seeds for added texture.
- Garlic Parmesan: Coat the drumsticks in a mixture of grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning and olive oil then bake as directed.
- Chili Lime: Blend lime zest, lime juice, chili powder, cumin and smoked paprika together then coat the drumsticks before baking in the oven.
Expert Tips
- Always preheat the oven to ensure even cooking from the start.
- To prevent the chicken from sticking to the sheet pan, spray heavily with non-stick cooking spray or line with either foil or parchment paper.
- Make sure the drumsticks are not too close where they are touching. It is important to leave some space to allow all sides to fully cook and crisp.
- To ensure the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The drumsticks should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This is the recommended safe temperature for poultry.
- Keep in mind that cooking times can vary based on the size of the drumsticks. If your drumsticks are particularly large or small, you might need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Allow the baked chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow for juicier drumsticks.
Frequently Asked Questions
The baking temperature is based on desired outcome. When cooked at a lower temperature, the chicken will take longer to cook, but has the potential to be more tender and juicier. Higher temperature baking results in a shorter cooking time and crispy texture on the exterior. Regardless of the cooking temperature, all chicken must be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
It takes approximately 40 minutes to bake this chicken drumstick recipe. If the internal temperature hasn’t reached 165°F then continue to bake in 5-minute increments until fully cooked.
Yes, chicken can be overcooked resulting in dry, touch and chewy meat. To avoid overcooking, use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
It is not required and baking uncovered is more common. Baking uncovered helps to achieve that desired crispy skin. Covering chicken can help retain moisture and ensure a more tender result so we typically recommend covering chicken when it is being reheated. This helps to prevent drying out the chicken.
It is best to defrost the chicken overnight in the fridge then bake as directed to promote even cooking. If in a pinch and need to cook frozen chicken, check out the recipes in our Frozen Chicken Instant Pot Roundup.
Even if you frequently cook chicken, chicken can turn out rubbery. Learning how to keep chicken from getting rubbery when cooking can eliminate the frustration from here on out! Chicken can become rubbery if overcooked, undercooked or it wasn’t given time to rest after baking. Bake chicken until the internal temperature has reached 165°F then remove from the oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving for best results.
The total number will vary depending on the size of appetites. A good rule of thumb is planning on 1 drumstick for kids and 2 drumsticks for adults. However, you can also plan for extra and store the leftovers if any.
Serving Suggestions
These baked chicken legs can be served as a game-day snack or dinner entree.
If serving as an appetizer, pair with other popular recipes like Taco Dip with Ground Beef, Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers, Dairy Free Chicken Buffalo Dip and Wisconsin Fried Cheese Curds.
There are numerous possibilities to create a well-balanced dinner meal. From potatoes, rich and pasta to roasted vegetables, our recommendation is to serve a different side each time.
Our top 5 favorite side dishes include Baked Potato in the Air Fryer, Crockpot Baked Beans, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips, Veggie Mac and Cheese and Roasted Frozen Vegetables.
Looking to serve dessert after the meal? Try our Strawberry Jello Cake, No Bake Cookies (without Peanut Butter) or Peanut Butter Ice Cream.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- After cooking the chicken drumsticks, let them cool to room temperature before storing them.
- Place the drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume them within 3-4 days.
- When reheating leftovers, use the microwave for convenience or a preheated oven to prevent drying out the chicken.
- For freezing, ensure the drumsticks are completely cooled before wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the packaging with the freezing date and store the drumsticks for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
- To thaw, transfer them to the refrigerator and let them thaw gradually.
- Then, reheat the drumsticks in the microwave or oven until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring safe consumption.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling raw chicken. This helps keep all the surfaces in the kitchen clean and prevents you from getting sick.
- Measure the olive oil with a measuring cup and the spices with measuring spoons into a mixing bowl. Stir with a spoon or spatula until all the ingredients are combined. Then, pour onto the chicken and mix until all the drumsticks are covered with the marinade.
- It is important to wear oven mitts when handling baking sheets. Wear the mitts when placing the sheet pan in the oven and when removing it after baking. Always ask for assistance from a kitchen helper since baking sheets can be heavy after the ingredients have been added.
More Chicken Drumstick Recipes
- Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
- Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
- Gluten Free Fried Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prep the pan. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Season the chicken drumsticks. In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, salt, dry mustard, and pepper. Place chicken legs into a large mixing bowl and pour the seasonings over the chicken. Using clean hands combine until all of the chicken is coated.1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dill, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 5 pounds chicken drumsticks
- Bake. Place the chicken legs onto a baking sheet (you might need two baking sheets depending on the size of the chicken legs). Bake for 40 minutes or the internal temperature hits 165°F.
Notes
Seasoning Variations
- Honey Garlic: Toss the drumsticks with a mixture of minced garlic, olive oil and honey before placing on the sheet pan to bake.
- BBQ: Coat the drumsticks with your favorite barbeque sauce after baking for 30 minutes. Continue to bake coated with the sauce for the remainder of the 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Ranch: Toss the chicken in a mixture of olive oil and packet of dry ranch seasoning. Add a splash of hot sauce for a tangy version.
- Lemon Herb: Mix with a marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. Rosemary, thyme and oregano all pair well with the zesty lemon.
- Soy Ginger: Coat with a batch of our homemade Gluten Free Stir Fry Sauce for an Asian-inspired option. Before servings, sprinkle the drumsticks with sesame seeds for added texture.
- Garlic Parmesan: Coat the drumsticks in a mixture of grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning and olive oil then bake as directed.
- Chili Lime: Blend lime zest, lime juice, chili powder, cumin and smoked paprika together then coat the drumsticks before baking in the oven.
Nutrition
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Eileen says
Could you use regular mustard instead of dry?
Also for the honey garlic olive oil recipe What amts should be used for 2 lbs of drumsticks
Thanks