Oven Roasted Chicken Drumsticks

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These juicy Oven Roasted Chicken Drumsticks are an incredibly simple, delicious and budget-friendly meal. With just 5 ingredients and your favorite spices, it's an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep recipe.

A completed dinner of baked drumsticks, mac & cheese and asparagus and mushrooms.

When it comes to cheap, easy, and delicious meals, Roasted Chicken Drumsticks are hard to beat. The crisp skin, tender dark meat, and incredible flavors make it a favorite dinner for any night of the week!

Using dried seasonings that are basic pantry staples makes this recipe a simple one to make and you can work on yummy side dishes while they roast in the oven. Another bonus and this meal, it’s SUPER cheap! Where I’m from, this chicken dish cost less than $8!

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If you’re looking for more meals that you don’t have to put a lot of thought into and the whole family will love, be sure to check out my Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Legs, Easy Salisbury Steak, and Slow Cooker Cube Steak!

Laura Ashley's Tip: Be sure to coat the drumsticks in flour, this naturally thickens to juices of the sauce and helps to crisp the skin. You can substitute for a gluten-free flour blend if you prefer!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll like this Recipe

Simple 5-Ingredient Recipe: This chicken leg recipe is made with seasonings you likely already have in your pantry!
Easy to Make: Baked chicken drumsticks take little effort to prep making it great for an easy weeknight dinner!
Cheap Meal: At less than $8 (where I live), it's a great budget-friendly meal!
Flavorful and Juicy Meat: Oven-baked chicken drumsticks are tender, juicy and absolutely delicious!

What You’ll Need

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

Chicken Drumsticks: Chicken drumsticks are flavorful and juicy, and they become tender and succulent when roasted.
Spice Mix (Garlic and Onion Powder, Paprika, Parsley, Salt & Black Pepper):
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Adds savory depth and aroma to the chicken.
- Smoked Paprika: Provides a mild, sweet, and smoky flavor, as well as a vibrant color to the chicken.
- Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor and a pop of green color.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances overall flavor and seasoning. Salt also helps to tenderize the meat by drawing out moisture.
Flour: Coating the chicken drumsticks in flour before roasting helps to create a crispy and golden-brown exterior. It also helps the seasoning to adhere to the chicken and adds a slight thickness to the pan juices.
Chicken Broth: Provides moisture to the chicken while roasting, preventing it from drying out. It also adds flavor to the pan juices.
Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the chicken.

The ingredients to make roasted juicy drumsticks: chicken, broth, flour, butter and seasonings.

Tools You’ll Need

How to Make Oven Roasted Chicken Drumsticks

To a 13”x9” pan, add drumsticks and seasonings.

Seasonings being added to drumsticks in a baking dish.

In a small bowl, whisk together broth and flour.

Flour about to be whisked into chicken broth.

Pour the broth mixture over the chicken. Toss everything until coated well. Situate the drumsticks in a single layer. Distribute butter evenly on top.

Adding butter on top of drumsticks in a baking dish.

Bake 35-45 minutes, flipping half-way through. Broil 1-2 minutes. Ensure an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.

Pro Tips and Substitutions

Cuts of Chicken: You can substitute bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, chicken breasts or chicken wings and use the same recipe. The baking time to reach the minimum safe internal temperature of 165°F will vary to based on the cut.
Skin vs. No Skin: The chicken skin adds to the juiciness and moisture of this dish. However, if you prefer skinless/boneless, you can use substitute the drumsticks with boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs. Make sure they’re not thicker than ½-3/4 inch. Adjust the baking temperature to 400°F and adjust the cook time to 25-35 minutes. Ensure an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
Seasoning Blend: The seasoning opportunities for this chicken are endless. Get creative with the flavors you love. Some other seasonings I use are cayenne pepper, regular paprika, lemon juice, brown sugar, ranch, Asian, masala, oregano, taco, cumin, rosemary, etc.

Another delicious way to prepare drumsticks are this Air Fryer Chicken Legs!

What to Serve with Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Nearly any side dish can go with this meal, but a few of my favorite sides are:

Storage

For the Fridge: Leftover oven baked chicken drumsticks can be stored in an airtight container the refrigerator up to 3-4 days.

For the Freezer: If you want to extend the storage life, store in the freezer in an air-tight container up to 3 months. When ready to consume, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven, on the stovetop, microwave or in the air fryer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I roast frozen drumsticks?

It's generally recommended to thaw drumsticks before roasting for even cooking and to prevent the exterior from becoming overly dry while waiting for the interior to cook. Thawing in the refrigerator overnight is the safest method.

Do I have to leave the skin-on for roasting?

Using skin-on drumsticks is recommended as the skin helps retain moisture during the roasting process, resulting in juicier meat. However, if you prefer a leaner option or have dietary restrictions, you can opt for skinless.

What are some other seasoning options for roasted chicken drumsticks?

There are SO many. I’ve noted some of my favorites under “Tips and Substitutions. You can also experiment with marinades or rubs featuring ingredients like soy sauce, honey, ginger, or chili powder for additional flavor profiles.

How do you measure the safe internal temperature of chicken?

Insert the probe of a meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken drumstick, avoiding contact with the bone. The thickest part usually corresponds to the meat near the center.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The flour contains gluten, but you can make this recipe gluten-free by substituting it with cornstarch.

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