Baked Drumsticks

A baked chicken drumstick on a white plate.

5 from 3 votes

Juicy Baked Chicken Drumsticks are simply seasoned and a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table. The chicken rub is made from pantry ingredients and the oven does all the work making the dark meat tender and delicious so you can focus on sides like veggies or a salad. Even better, there is minimal clean up!

Prep Time5

Cook Time30

Total Time35

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: servings

Calories: 450kcal

Author: Amy Nash

Ingredients

4 pounds chicken drumsticks (usually around 12-14 drumsticks)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika (we prefer smoked for the extra flavor)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon thyme

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Lay the chicken pieces on the baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat.
In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and thyme. Sprinkle the spices over the chicken and toss to coat.
Arrange the chicken so there is space between them on the pan for a more even bake. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the meat reaches 165°F when tested in the thickest part with a digital meat thermometer or until the juices run clear when you cut into one of the drumsticks. You may want to check the drumsticks partway through baking. If they are darkening too quickly, loosely cover with a piece of aluminum foil until cooked through.

Notes

Storage: Store any leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave covered with a paper towel until hot. Or reheat in the oven or air fryer to help crisp up the skin a bit. They will take about 10-15 minutes in a 350°F oven or about 5-6 minutes in the air fryer at 380°F.
Variation: Two tablespoons of taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, ranch seasoning, and Greek seasoning are all delicious on baked chicken drumsticks and thighs!

Nutrition