These baked chicken drumsticks are perfectly seasoned with a homemade chicken seasoning. It’s the simplest chicken recipe that you can quickly whip up for any weeknight dinner.
Chicken drumsticks are versatile and inexpensive. You can roast, bake, grill, braise or fry the drumsticks, and it is impossible to mess up.
Easy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
This baked chicken drumsticks recipe is easy to put together and flavorful. It's low carb and keto-friendly.
The skin is so crispy all the way around and the meat is so tender. Everyone in your family will love these chicken legs.
The Best Seasoning for Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Making your own homemade chicken seasoning is easier that you think.
Simply combine Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a small amount of oil then rub the mixture all over the chicken.
Italian seasoning You can use dried thyme or oregano in place of Italian seasoning.
How To Make Chicken Skin Crispy
Drumsticks are so easy to prepare. Here are some important steps to do if you’re looking for a nice browned and crispy skin.
- Dry skin
Patting the chicken skin dry with paper towels before cooking is important. Also, this extra step helps the meat cook evenly.
2. Pull the Skin Tight
If you are buying pre-packaged chicken pieces, you’ve probably noticed that the skin gets wrinkled. Make sure that you pull and smooth the skin so it covers the meat.
3. Apply a Small Amount of Oil
In this recipe, the oil is part of the seasoning. No extra oil needed.
4. Preheat the Oven and Cook at High Heat
Preheating the oven will ensure the food starts cooking immediately at the right temperature, crisping up on the outside instead of steaming.
You also want to place the rack in the top third of the oven and cook the chicken at 425°F.
How to Cook Drumsticks in the Oven
Step 1. Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Place the drumsticks in a large ziplock. Sprinkle the rub the massage to combine. Preheat the oven while you’re marinating the drumsticks.
Step 2. Oven-Bake the Chicken
Cook the chicken for about 40 minutes or longer, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
What to Serve with Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Roasted Yellow Squash
- Summer Squash Casserole
- Easy Roasted Asparagus
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Green Beans Almondine
FAQ and Chicken Cooking Tips:
I don't recommend it. Chicken skin contains fat that keeps the meat moist and juicy. It will also provide a lot more flavor to the meat. Once it's cooked, you can remove the skin and enjoy the tasty chicken.
Yes, you can. Simply preheat the air fryer and set the temperature to 400°F. Cook the drumsticks for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check for doneness, if they aren't ready, continue cooking for 3-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
First, let the cooked chicken drumsticks cool down to room temperature but no longer than 2 hours. Store the leftover in an airtight container. Properly stored, the leftover cooked chicken can last 3-4 days in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.
To reheat cooked chicken: Place the chicken on a prepared baking sheet or baking dish. Loosely cover the cooked chicken with aluminum foil and cook at 325°F for about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Alternatively, you can cover the chicken with a damp paper towel and reheat in the microwave for about 1½ minutes or longer.
Leftovers should be reheated to 165°F. You can read more here.
To reheat frozen cooked chicken: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place frozen drumsticks on a baking pan that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray. Heat for 12 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tbsp olive or avocado oil
- 1½ tsp ground paprika
- 1¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1¼ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¾ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine all of the seasoning ingredients.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and transfer to a ziplock. Add the seasoning, massage to combine. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Pre-heat the oven to 425°F. Arrange the chicken drumsticks in a single layer onto a prepared baking sheet. Cook for 40 minutes or longer, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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