Name: Baked Chicken Drumsticks (Kids Love Them!)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8 drumsticks (skin on); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon paprika

Recipe

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These baked chicken drumsticks are a no-fuss meal that practically cook themselves. They're juicy with crisp skin and are packed with flavor.

Whenever I make these chicken drumsticks in the oven, my youngest claims the leftovers (if any) before they’re even served.

four garlic herb baked chicken drumsticks

Garlic Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven

Since my son's friend told him that drumsticks are the original "meat on a stick," he's asked for this Garlic Chicken Drumsticks recipe and my Jerk drumsticks on repeat. I can't complain, simple seasoning makes them irresistible and they are so easy to cook!

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!)

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 50

These baked chicken drumsticks are a no-fuss meal that practically cook themselves. They're juicy with crisp skin and are packed with flavor.

5 from 25 votes

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Ingredients

8 drumsticks, skin on
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.
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Place the chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking tray. Using a spoon, distribute the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken pieces and rotate them to coat all sides. Sometimes I place the drumsticks in a big bowl with the seasonings and toss to coat them well. Then, once seasoned, I arrange them on the tray.

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 skins, keep the drumsticks uncovered; for softer skin, cover them with a foil tent.
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.