These oven baked chicken drumsticks come out juicy and tender, with crispy, golden skins and plenty of garlic and herb flavor. They’re easy to make with a handful of seasonings, and they’re so good there’s rarely any left over!
Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven Are The Way to Go
When my son was about 6, his best friend told him that chicken drumsticks were the original “meat on a stick,” and he’s been a fan ever since! To this day, these garlic drumsticks and my jerk chicken drumsticks are the two recipes he asks for most.
The best part? They don’t need anything fancy to taste amazing. A few simple seasonings, a hot oven, and the chicken comes out juicy and tender. I make them regularly because they’re easy, budget-friendly, and we all love them.
Best Flavor for Drumsticks
When you add simple seasonings to the already flavorful dark meat of chicken drumsticks, you get the most delicious meal ever! For this recipe, I’m using garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika: three delicious spices that infuse the meat with oh-so-good flavor!
Prepping Drumsticks for Baking
Mix the seasonings with oil in a bowl. You can then add the drumsticks to the bowl and season them well with the mixture, or place them in the baking dish and add the seasonings with a spoon, rotating the chicken so it’s seasoned on all sides.
How to Bake Chicken Drumsticks
These chicken drumsticks are baked in the oven at 400F for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The skins turn out crispy, but if you prefer softer skins, cover them with a foil tent after 30 minutes in the oven. You’ll know they’re done when the internal temperature reaches 175F.
Covered or Uncovered?
Bake the chicken drumsticks uncovered for 30 minutes. Then, it’s up to you. For crispy skins, keep the chicken uncovered. For softer skins, finish cooking with a foil tent over the meat. This will create steam and make the skins tender.
What to Serve with Baked Drumsticks
Everything! I mean, whatever you serve with them, you can’t go wrong. That said, I have my favorites! I usually serve these chicken drumsticks with cilantro lime rice, a fresh salad like this everyday side salad, or I use the oven to cook chicken legs and potatoes at the same time. Easy peasy!
Baked Chicken Drumsticks (Kids Love Them!)
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- 8 drumsticks, skin on, about 2 ½lbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
Prep:
- Preheat the oven to 400F with the top rack of the oven in the middle position. For easy cleanup, line a 9×13 baking tray or sheet pan with foil.
- Remove the drumsticks from the tray onto a couple of paper towels and pat them dry. This helps the seasoning stick.
- In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss the drumsticks in the seasoning mixture, turning them to coat all sides. This is easier than brushing this wet rub over the tops of each. Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet.
Bake:
- Bake the drumsticks in a preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking using kitchen tongs. Around minute 30, the skins should be getting nice and browned. For crispy skin, keep the drumsticks uncovered; for softer skin, cover them with a foil tent. Large drumsticks can take longer, 45 to 50 minutes (organic chicken tends to be smaller).
- When the drumsticks' internal temperature reads 175F and they're done cooking, remove the tray from the oven and baste them with some of the juices before serving.
Notes
A family-sized drumstick package weighs around 5lbs, with around 12 pcs on average. For this amount, adjust the seasoning to ¼ cup olive oil, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, ¾ teaspoon black pepper, 2 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder, and 2 teaspoons paprika.
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Elizabeth F says
Those chicken drumsticks look ready to party! All by their garlic and herb seasoned selves. What a delicious treat. Yummy!
Deby Barnett says
For receipes using the oven to bake can you just use a. Air Fryer and adjust the times? So much easier an less mess with the air fryer.
Laura Fuentes says
Yes, you can. At 400F for 10 minutes, flip, then 6 to 10 more depending on the size.
Clarice says
Prepared this last night, and it definitely leveled up our usual chicken dinner. Thank you for sharing the recipe. The kids absolutely loved it!
Melanie E says
My son loves drumsticks although I don’t make them often enough for his liking. Need to give these a go as I am sure this dish will be popular!
Barbara R says
These garlic chicken drumsticks are so yummy!! We love the drumsticks, but extra crunchy for me please.
Cathy Zeiler says
That looks like such a simple recipe! They look delicious. I would also want the leftovers!