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Baked Chicken Drumsticks (Whole30, low carb)

Baked chicken drumsticks recipe is going to become your new go to way to make chicken during the week! These crispy baked chicken legs are so easy to make, inexpensive and super juicy and tender! Gluten free, paleo, Whole30, low carb and keto friendly, this recipe only requires 4 ingredients and about 30 minutes!

Overhead shot of large white plate filled with baked chicken drumsticks stacked on the plate

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Easy Chicken Drumsticks

You won’t believe how easy baked chicken drumsticks are to make! Honestly, for the past 3 years I have been overlooking chicken drumsticks because well I had no idea how to make them. I always thought everything had to be boneless and skinless. What did I know.

But chicken drumsticks are now my go-to way to make Dave dinner at least 1 day a week. The skin gets nice and crispy and the legs don’t dry out in the oven so they stay moist and juicy! Dave just loves them! And I love how simple they are to make on busy nights!

Baked chicken drumsticks right out of the oven over a baking sheet and baking rack.

How long to cook chicken drumsticks in the oven?

To make these drumsticks in under 30 minutes I have a few tips!

  • First, make sure you have a hot oven! Preheat the oven to 450F
  • Second, the last 5-10 minutes of baking, the skin gets crispy under the broiler! This is the key so don’t skip it!

However, with that being said, it’s important that you check the internal temperature to make sure the chicken is fully cooked. Chicken legs need to reach at least 165F but the sweet spot with chicken drumsticks is about 185F to 190F internal temperature. This is where the skin gets all crispy and the meat is still juicy!

How to check the internal temperature of a chicken leg

Use an instant read thermometer and go through the thickest part of the meat, being careful not to hit the bone. Be sure the chicken leg has reached at least 165F.

How to make Healthy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Glass bowl with raw chicken drumsticks with tongs in the bowl before baking

What seasoning is good on baked chicken drumsticks

For this recipe, less is more! You only need 4 ingredients:

Tip: to save your hand from getting covered in chicken, use a large glass bowl and tongs to mix the chicken legs and distribute the seasoning.

I like to only do 5 drumsticks at a time in the bowl so that I can easily toss the chicken drumsticks without getting the seasoning everywhere. I just adjust the seasoning accordingly.

So for 5 drumsticks I use about ½ tablespoon garlic avocado oil, ½ teaspoon each of salt and paprika.

Raw chicken drumsticks on a baking rack over a foil lined baking sheet

Tips for creating crispy chicken drumsticks in the oven

  • First, don’t wash the chicken. This is a food safety concern more than anything. When you wash chicken, the bacteria can go all over the sink. Pat down the chicken if you find it necessary. However, I never pat down the chicken and it turns out perfectly every time.
  • Put down a sheet of foil on the baking sheet and then add a baking rack over the foil. This makes it much easier to clean up. The baking rack allows air to get all around the chicken drumstick as they are cooking so there isn’t a soggy side to the chicken.
  • Cook at high heat! 450F for 25 minutes then finish under the broiler to really get that crispy skin.
  • Carefully flip the chicken after 25 minutes before broiling to get the crispiest skin.
  • Don’t add spices that will burn during high heat cooking. Avoid leafy herbs.
  • If you want to add a sauce (barbeque sauce, buffalo sauce), brush it over the chicken drumsticks during the last 3 minutes under the broiler. When the chicken legs are done baking, brush a second coating over them right out of the oven
  • Let the chicken drumsticks rest at least 5 minutes after baking.

Baked chicken drumsticks over a baking rack on a grey baking sheet.

Are baked chicken legs healthy?

Baking chicken legs is a much healthier application than frying them, which is how you typically see them being used. If you are worried about the higher fat content, you can remove the skin after baking or use skinless chicken legs.

However, if you decide to use skinless chicken legs, I’m not sure how crispy they will get, as I haven’t tried this.

Close up of a large white plate filled with baked chicken drumsticks. Plate of baked sweet potato fries in the background

What to serve with healthy baked chicken drumsticks?

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Overhead shot of large white plate filled with baked chicken drumsticks with a grey striped napkin on the left side of the plate

Baked Chicken Drumsticks

$6.57 Recipe/$1.64 Serving
Baked chicken drumsticks recipe is going to become your new go to way to make chicken during the week! These crispy baked chicken legs are so easy to make, inexpensive and super juicy and tender! Gluten free, paleo, Whole30, low carb and keto friendly, this recipe only requires 4 ingredients and about 30 minutes!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked chicken drumsticks, baked chicken legs, healthy baked chicken drumsticks
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Guided Recipe Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450F
  • Place a sheet of foil on a rimmed baking sheet. Place a baking rack over the foil so the chicken drumsticks will be elevated off the pan.
  • In a large bowl, combine the drumsticks, garlic avocado oil, salt and paprika. Mix well until evenly coated. I like to do this in batches so I can use tongs (see post for tips)
  • Place the chicken legs on the baking rack, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Usually about 10 per baking sheet. 
  • Bake in a 450F oven for 25 minutes
  • Turn on the broiler. Take the chicken legs out of the oven and flip them. 
  • Cook under the broiler at least 5 minutes. If I have time in the night I go up to 10 minutes to get extra crispy skin. 
  • Check the internal temperature of the chicken drumsticks making sure you have reached at least 165F. Ideally around 185F-190F
  • Let rest 5 minutes

Notes

Low FODMAP: Omit the garlic powder completely or get garlic flavor by using a garlic infused avocado oil or olive oil instead. 
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
See how I calculate food cost.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
394
Fat
 
24
g
Protein
 
40
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?Let others know by rating and leaving a comment below!

Recipe Rating




Mo

Thursday 6th of January 2022

Simple yet absolutely delicious!!! My words exactly were "I don't think I'm ever ordering KFC again, never. Not after that." The chicken wasn't dry or tough!! SO JUICY!! It took me about 15 mins to prepare, 20 mins to bake, 7 mins to broil.

- I used vegetable oil in the seasoning mixture (instead of avocado/olive). - I don't have a sauce brush, so I just mixed the oil/seasoning mixture inside the tablespoon and dripped it all on one side of all the drumsticks, then rubbed the drumsticks on each other with tongs and tossed them, all in a medium mixing bowl. - I sprayed the foil with vegetable oil before putting the drumsticks down.

I don't think I could be more satisfied with how this turned out. Simple, cheap, timely, and mouthwatering: really all a college student could ask for in a recipe. AND IT'S CHICKEN!

Sandy

Tuesday 2nd of November 2021

This recipe is amazing. Actually had to double recipe for 8 medium drumsticks using a basting brush, but no problem. Going to add this to a whole chicken next, YUMMY!

Simone

Friday 12th of February 2021

Came out just like the recipe called for. Very easy and the whole family loved it!

Deanne Shaw

Thursday 8th of October 2020

Ridiculously simple. Absolutely delicious! I only had 6 drumsticks and used the whole recipe for the oil and spices. I RARELY make the same thing more than twice a year - always try something new - but THIS is going to be at least a monthly for me. My husband doesn't like dark meat, and he loved it! Thanks for the recipe!

Christine

Sunday 9th of February 2020

How many carbs are on here?

Samantha Rowland

Wednesday 12th of February 2020

You can check out all the nutritional information in the post.