Baked Chicken Drumsticks are tender, juicy, and dry rubbed with the best chicken seasoning! This easy dinner recipe comes together in less than an hour and is versatile enough to serve with any of your favorite side dishes.
Try more of reader favorite baked chicken recipes like Parmesan and Herb Stuffed Chicken and Bacon Wrapped Chicken.
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I’m such a drumstick lover. When it comes to juiciness, flavor, and tenderness, chicken legs have it all! There is more fat content in dark meat, which is what makes it more juicy and tender than white meat. And the flavor of dark meat is just unbeatable!
When it comes to baking chicken drumsticks, the number one question that people ask is how to season or marinate it. Truly, you can season it however you want and use many different marinades. Chicken is very good at adapting to most flavors. In my opinion, you want a strong blend of seasonings that combines components of salty, spicy, savory, and even a little sweet.
Using a dry rub on baked chicken is my favorite because it gives the meats more flavor than a marinade. No matter how long you hold the chicken in the marinade, it will not stay on the meat as it cooks. Dry rub, on the other hand, will stay on the meat as it cooks.
Best Seasoning for Baked Chicken
Chicken seasoning is a combination of herbs and spices that go very well with the flavor of chicken. It can be used on baked chicken, grilled chicken, or pan-seared chicken.
To make this seasoning, simply combine ingredients in a small jar and mix thoroughly. Chicken seasoning consists of garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, fried basil, ground thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
Ingredients For Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken Drumsticks – One of my favorite cuts of meat! You’ll need about 10-12 of them for this easy recipe.
Salt – I recommend using pink Himalayan, coarse kosher, or flaky sea salt for this recipe. Iodized salt has a tendency to make things taste salty instead of enhancing the other flavors as it should.
Black Pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper will create the most noticeable flavor.
Smoked Paprika – You can use regular paprika if preferred.
Cayenne Pepper – Add more or less of this to control the heat level of your spice blend. With the small amount that’s called for in this recipe, there’s a little bit of a kick but it’s quite tame.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and instructions.
How to Make Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Make the chicken seasoning. Prepare the chicken seasoning by mixing all the ingredients in a small jar with a lid. Close the lid and shake it well to combine.
Season the chicken. Place chicken drumsticks into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle seasoning all over chicken. Mix chicken and seasoning until all the drumsticks are evenly coated (1).
Prepare for baking. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Lay out drumsticks onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little bit of room in between each piece.
Bake the chicken. Bake chicken drumsticks at 425°F for 25 minutes. Then, flip each piece over and bake for another 15-20 minutes. Exact baking time will depend on the size of drumsticks. (3)
Recipe FAQs
If you’re unsure, use a meat thermometer! It’s the most certain way to make sure the meat is fully cooked. Inserted into the thickest part of the meat, fully cooked chicken that’s safe to eat should be 165°F.
At 425°F, chicken drumsticks need about 35-45 minutes to cook. After the first 25 minutes, flip the drumsticks and continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes so they cook evenly on all sides. The exact time will always depend on the size of the drumsticks. Always judge doneness by the largest piece.
I have tried every temperature when I make chicken legs and I find 425° to be the best. At this temperature, you get a wonderfully juicy chicken with crispy skin.
What to Serve With Baked Chicken Legs?
Although this recipe is flavorful, it’s also neutral enough to plate perfectly with SO many various side dishes.
Consider lighter sides like Sautéed Mushrooms, Broccoli Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad or Quinoa Salad.
Heartier side dish recipes like Parmesan Baked Mac and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Parmesan Mushroom Orzo, or Truffle Fries.
Salads also make a nice side like Caesar Salad or Greek Salad.
Storing and Reheating Recommendations
Storing: Store baked chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge. Properly stored, they will last for about 3-4 days.
Reheating: With bone-in recipes like this one, I recommend reheating either in the oven or air fryer as opposed to the microwave. Both options will help maintain that crispy skin.
In the air fryer, I’d suggest reheating your leftovers at 360°F for about 4-5 minutes, but it also depends on size of the drumsticks. You may need a few more minutes if they’re very big. In the oven, I’d suggest 350°F for about 10 minutes, until heated through.
Tools For This Recipe
(Affiliate links)
Digital Instant Read Thermometer
Cutting Board – use plastic cutting board when working with raw meats!
More Chicken Drumstick Recipes To Try
Honey Guinness Chicken Drumsticks
Sweet Garlic Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE leave a 🌟 star rating! Let me know how you liked it by leaving the 📝 comment below or share and tag me on social media @willcookforsmiles. DON’T FORGET to subscribe to my newsletter!
Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 lbs chicken drumstick (10-12 drumsticks)
Chicken Seasoning:
- 2 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 tbsp dried basil
- 1 tsp ground thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (can use regular paprika)
- 1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
Chicken Seasoning:
- Combine chicken seasoning ingredients in a small jar with a lid. Close the lid and shake it well to combine.
Chicken:
- Preheat the oven to 425° and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place chicken drumsticks into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle seasoning all over the chicken. Mix chicken and seasoning until all the drumsticks are evenly coated.
- Lay out drumsticks onto the parchment paper, leaving a little bit of room in between each piece.
- Bake chicken drumsticks at 425° for 25 minutes, flip each piece over and bake for another 10-15 minutes. (Exact baking time will depend on the size of drumsticks.)
Notes
- Storing: Store baked chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge. Properly stored, they will last for about 3-4 days.
- Reheating: With bone-in recipes like this one, I recommend reheating either in the oven or air fryer as opposed to the microwave. Both options will help maintain that crispy skin. In the air fryer, I’d suggest reheating your leftovers at 360°F for about 4-5 minutes, but it also depends on size of the drumsticks. You may need a few more minutes if they’re very big. In the oven, I’d suggest 350°F for about 10 minutes, until heated through.
Bernadette says
This chicken recipe was amazing. Thank you so much
LyubaB says
Thank you, Bernadette! I am so glad you liked it!
Scottelle says
Can I use leg quarters?
wilhelmina says
This checked all the boxes for me, easy, hearty, and budget friendly. I made these drummies for dinner and the whole family raved about the flavor!
LyubaB says
I am so glad you liked them!
M says
These chicken drumsticks were so easy to make and so delicious. The only change we made was skipping the cayenne.
Sharon S says
Tried this tonight only on a couple of chicken breasts, Came out so juicy and so much flavor. The dripping had so much flavor I added it to the rice, I cooked to go with it so good. Along with a mixture of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots became a great meal. Thanks
LyubaB says
So glad you liked it, Sharon!
Angela says
What a beautiful blend of spices! This drumstick recipe is to easy to make and very tasty. My roommates I tried it out and absolutely loved them.
LyubaB says
Thanks, Angela! So glad you liked the recipe!
Sandra says
Please give your hash brown casserole recipe could not pull it up
LyubaB says
Hi, Sandra! Here is the link you can click on https://www.willcookforsmiles.com/hashbrown-casserole/
please let me know if it doesn’t work.