Baked chicken drumsticks are an easy family dinner recipe. The chicken comes out amazingly juicy, has crispy skin, and is full of flavor. Made with a simple chicken marinade, they are sure to be a favorite!
Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Baked chicken drumsticks are a dinner idea that the entire family will enjoy! The best part is that they are super easy to make. Simply season the chicken, let it marinate, and bake it in the oven!
This recipe is made with a delicious chicken marinade made with pantry staples that you likely already have on hand. The chicken legs come out juicy, full of flavor, with a slightly crispy skin.
You can also make this recipe using chicken thighs! I have a recipe for that here.
How long to cook baked chicken drumsticks
Baked chicken drumsticks take between 35 to 45 minutes when baked at 375 degrees. This cooking time is typically the same when baking at any temperature between 350 and 425 degrees. Keep in mind that cooking times will vary by oven. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Should I cover my chicken legs with foil while baking?
It is not necessary to cover chicken legs with foil while baking. If left uncovered, the chicken will have a crispier skin. On the other hand, covering the chicken while cooking produces juicer chicken. It's really up to your personal preference.
Ingredients
- Chicken Legs: Chicken legs are considered dark meat, and have more fat than white meat. This results in more flavor, and juicer chicken.
- Seasonings: The seasonings in this recipe are very simple. I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Great for adding an extra layer of flavor, and pairs really well with chicken. Alternatively, you could also use soy sauce.
- Olive Oil: Adds some healthy fat, and is great for marinading chicken.
How to make baked chicken drumsticks
- Add the chicken, seasonings, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce to a large freezer bag.
- Seal the bag shut, and shake the bag to ensure that the chicken is evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Allow the chicken to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the freezer bag, and arrange it on a baking sheet.
- Bake uncovered, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time. Enjoy!
Recipe tips
- Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for an hour for more flavor.
- Chicken is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a cooking thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked.
- You can substitute the Worcestershire sauce in the recipe for soy sauce if you prefer. I typically use whichever I have on hand.
These side dishes would go great with this recipe:
- Oven Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Parmesan
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheddar
- Easy Fried Cabbage with Bacon
- Best Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Baked chicken drumsticks made with simple ingredients. These chicken legs come out deliciously juicy and full of flavor!
Ingredients
- 6 chicken legs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce, (alternatively you can use Soy Sauce)
- dried parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Add all of the ingredients to a large freezer bag and seal it closed.
- Shake all of the ingredients in the bag together. Make sure that the chicken is evenly coated with everything.
- Allow the chicken to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. For best results, marinate for 1 - 2 hours.
- Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet, and bake in the oven for 45 minutes, flipping the chicken over halfway through the cooking time. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Optionally, garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 487Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 328mgSodium: 542mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 62g
Kay is passionate about living a healthy low carb lifestyle. She loves low carb comfort foods that are also family-friendly!
Jen
How much olive oil?
Thanks!
2 tablespoons of olive oil. I just updated the recipe card to include this. Thanks!
Margie
This is one of my favorite receipes for drumsticks
Thanks so much! This makes me so happy.
Shannon
Love this recipe! Delicious! All ingredients on point. My new go to.
Thank you, so glad that you enjoyed it!
Shirley Ann
Thanks Kay, I love these drumsticks! Puppy and I could dig in every night!
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you!
Steve
These were fantastic! I made them just as instructed except I baked them on a rack, skin side down, for 20 mins then flipped them for the remaining 25 mins. Great flavor and crispy skin. I only marinated them for 30 mins. I can’t wait to try them again, after 2 hours. Definitely a keeper
Thank you! So happy to hear that you enjoyed them!
Barbara
These were delicious!!!! Love the recipe so much I’m making them for dinner now!!!
Thank you for sharing!!!!
Thank you! I hope that you all enjoyed them!
heidi
I made these tonight, and these are super delicious!! Love the flavor 😋
Thank you, I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed them!
Carla Stapleton
As a retired nurse, I have done more cooking in the last 6 months. I wasn't a chicken lover until I found your recipe.It's so easy putting the ingredients together but hard to let them marinate. Deliciously satisfying.'I always go to Pinterest for recipes
Thank you! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed it!
Debie
Do you use with skin or without? I’m excited to make these tonight!
I leave the skin on. I hope that you enjoyed them!
Crystal
Such an awesome, easy recipe. My family loved it. Thank you so much.
Thank you! I'm happy that you all loved it!
Tara
These are fantastic. A new favorite in my house!
Thank you! I'm so happy that you enjoyed them!
Ron Batleman
Could this recipe work with chicken thighs?
Yes, it sure can! I actually plan to post the recipe for chicken thighs soon.
Nanny
So freaking good !! Thank you!!!
Thank you!
Estella Barrientos
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I had all the ingredients Anne they turned out DELICIOUS.
THIS RECIPE IS A KEEPER
Thank you! I am so happy that you enjoyed it.
Brandi B
So I double the ingredients for 12 chicken legs? I’m a beginner, lol
Yes, that is correct! No worries, lol!
Sheila
These were delicious. The spice combination is a winner and now I want to use it on everything. My kitchen smelled wonderful.
Thank you! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed them!
Crystal
I have made this twice now. I tried it with thighs and its just wonderful !
Thank you so much!
Keri
Just put my chicken legs in this marinade, they will end up marinating for 3 hours. I'm super excited to try these, the marinade was delicious before I put the chicken in. Thank you for this recipe, I was looking for something savory but not overly complicated, you are the winner! Serving with broccoli and scalloped potatoes.
Robin
Need to clarify on one item. This yields six drumsticks. When you say serving is one do you mean one piece or the six drums?
Hi, each drumstick is one serving. Thank you!
Brittany
I am trying this recipe out right now. Nobody ever taught me to cook but I have a family now so I am just learning from Google. This recipe sounds amazing though and so easy! Hope they turn out good!
Life With Mrs B
Tried these last night and oh my goodness!! So unbelievably good! I have to say, they were even better cold today. Going to be making these weekly! Yum 🙂
I love to hear that! So glad that you enjoyed it. Thank you!
linda
chicken was the best i ever tried. love this recipe
Thanks so much! I'm so happy that you enjoyed it!
Laura
I’m trying to eat a more Low carb diet and it’s not easy for me.. Carbs are my happy place. I have made this recipe twice in a week and it’s going to be a go-to from now on. Can’t wait to try som more of your recipes.
Dee
My family tried this and liked it even the kids we will definitely make it again thank you for sharing the recipe.
Susan
I have made these several times now and they are absolutely the best. Thank you for the recipe.
Thank you so much!
Krisi
Looks yummy! Marinading now. I do have a question why in the instructions do you have the temperature and instructions to turn on the oven and then say to marinade for 30-60minutes??
Ana
Easy & delicious thank you !
R berru
Very tasteful. Thanks for sharing,
Jackie in Texas
I have tried countless types of baked chicken recipes over the years, ranging from super simple to lots of ingredients. My first thought was that it was going to be another good recipe, but I had no idea how good!! This is now my go-to recipe for chicken legs and I always crave it! It is absolutely a must try recipe that works perfectly every time. Yay to affordable and delicious meals!
Mary Pidgeon
Making these for dinner tonight. I just know they will be great, but I'll come back and let you know what my husband thinks. Thanks for sharing
I hope that you enjoyed them! Thank you!
Sandy
I made this recipe today. They came out juicy and delicious. I will definitely make these again. Thank you for sharing.
I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed them. Thank you!
Diana Williams
I didn't add Worcester sauce but this was great. I may have used more than 2 tbl spoons and will use less next time. My son in law suggested I cube potatoes and place under the rack. It was great. No butter needed. The juice and seasonings dripped on them.
That sounds delicious! Thank you!
Mandy
I absolutely love this recipe! It is become a staple in our house, and I get asked for the recipe whenever we make it for others. Thanks for a great one!
I'm so happy to hear that you are enjoying it. Thank you so much!
Fran
Hi. Love the simplicity of this recipe. Making this tonight. Do you use kosher salt or regular table salt.
Hi, I used regular table salt. I hope you enjoy the recipe. It's super simple but packs some good flavor. Thanks so much!