Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks

These easy Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks, incredibly tender and juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside, are always a family favorite. Serve them with a simple side dish and you’ll have a fuss-free and delicious meal for any night of the week.

Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Chicken is always a go-to dinner in my house…it’s easy, delicious and something everyone can agree on. That’s why I love these easy baked chicken drumsticks. They’re a finger-licking-good alternative to traditional fried chicken legs.

With baking, you get tender and juicy chicken with a crispy, golden brown crust, but without the extra oil and fuss. The bonus is that they’re easier and create less mess in the kitchen, making them the perfect choice for busy weeknights.

This will go great paired with any of your favorite sides (we love them with oven roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or maple glazed carrots). It’s an easy dinner that both kids and adults love.

Ingredients

• Skin-on chicken drumsticks
• Breadcrumbs
• Grated parmesan
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Egg
• Salt
• Olive oil

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels.

Step 2. In a separate shallow bowl or dish, whisk together the egg and the salt.

Step 3. In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, paprika, and garlic powder.

Step 4. Dip each chicken drumstick into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.

Step 5. Roll and coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.

Step 6. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil or spray it with cooking spray. Arrange the coated drumsticks on the baking sheet, leaving space between them. Drizzle with additional olive oil.

Step 7. Bake the chicken for 40–45 minutes, or until it’s cooked through and the skin is crispy and golden brown.

Serve your baked drumsticks hot with a simple side dish and enjoy!

Storage Instructions

These drumsticks taste best fresh from the oven. You can store them in the fridge for up to a day or two but they will loose some of their crispiness.

Top Tips

• It’s important to preheat your oven. This ensures the drumsticks begin to cook and crisp up immediately.
• For an extra thick and crispy crust, dip the drumsticks in the egg mixture, then the breadcrumbs, and then back in the egg mixture again before coating them in the breadcrumbs a second time.
• Place the chicken drumsticks on the baking sheet with enough space between them to allow for even browning.
• For extra crispy skin, arrange the drumsticks on a wire rack set over the baking sheet. This allows hot air to circulate around the chicken.

Variations and Add-ins

• Chicken: You can use this recipe to make baked chicken thighs, chicken breasts, and even chicken wings. The bake time will need to be adjusted based on the type of chicken you use.
• Seasoning: Try adding smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavor, or sweet paprika for a milder taste. You can also add a pinch of cayenne for a little heat.
• Breadcrumbs: Use panko breadcrumbs for an even crispier crust, crushed crackers (like Ritz), or even crushed cornflakes for a fun twist.
• Sauces: Serve these with your favorite dipping sauces like honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.

Recipe FAQs

More Tasty Chicken Recipes

• Lemon Rosemary Chicken
• Easy Chicken Alfredo
• Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• Chinese Chicken on a Stick
• Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
• Coronation Chicken Salad
• Chicken and Mushroom Soup