Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Baked chicken drumsticks are easy to make, have a crispy skin and juicy, tender chicken every time. This healthy baked chicken leg recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and made with 4 simple ingredients. Perfect for weeknight meals and super budget friendly. This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, paleo, Whole30 and low carb.

Course dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword baked chicken drumsticks, baked chicken legs, healthy baked chicken drumsticks

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 30

Total Time 32

Servings servings

Calories 394kcal

Author Samantha Rowland

Cost $6.57 Recipe/$1.64 Serving

Ingredients

3 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 10 drumsticks) $5.97
1 tbsp avocado oil $0.35
1 tsp sea salt $0.05
1 tsp paprika $0.10
1 tsp garlic powder $0.10

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

Video

Notes

Tips for crispy baked chicken drumsticks:

Don’t wash the chicken.

Put down a sheet of foil on the baking sheet and then add a baking rack over the foil. 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.

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcal | Protein: 40g | Fat: 24g