This recipe is easy, but does come with three suggested preparations. All of them are totally optional, though, so you can do a “choose your own adventure” on this Baked Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
Marinade and butter sauce, no problem. Spice mix and butter baste, all good. Marinade and spice mix? Also, all good! I would just recommend using at least two of the elements for the best results. The marinade is super easy since it is already prepared — the challenge (at least for me) is remembering to put it in the marinade!
What to Have Ready
Here’s what you can choose from to make your baked chicken drumsticks! A full list of ingredients with measurements is available in the printable recipe card below.
Marinade
- Chicken Drumsticks – If you’re not marinating these, be sure to pat them dry before applying the spice rub so that they can crisp up in the oven.
- Italian Dressing (Optional) – Store-bought dressing is the perfect quick and easy marinade. If you’re short on time, you can skip it, but it does add another layer of flavor.
Spice Rub
- Garlic Powder – This powder adds savory flavor without the fuss of peeling and chopping fresh garlic.
- Onion Powder – Round out the seasoning blend with a subtle sweetness from this spice
- Coarse Kosher Salt – Salt helps to tenderize the chicken while amplifying the other flavors in the mix.
- Ground Black Pepper – Pepper adds just the right amount of warmth.
- Smoked Paprika – This spice adds a subtle smokiness and vibrant color to the chicken.
Herb Butter Sauce
- Unsalted Butter – Butter is the base of the sauce. Using an unsalted version helps you to control the saltiness of the drumsticks.
- White Wine (Optional) – Wine adds a splash of acidity that brightens up the sauce.
- Fresh Garlic – Mince or grate the cloves freshly for the best flavor.
- Fresh Herbs – Sprinkle in a mix of whatever you love! Parsley, thyme, or rosemary all work well. You can also try cilantro or basil.
- Hot Sauce – Just a splash adds a little spiciness to balance out the buttery richness.
- Fresh Lemon – The zest and juice bring brightness to the sauce.
- Fresh Parsley (Optional) – Use fresh parsley for garnish for a pop of color.
This is How We Do It
You are going to love how easy it is to make these baked chicken drumsticks! just follow these simple instructions.
- Marinate the Chicken. If you’re using the marinade, place the drumsticks in a bowl or dish and coat them with Italian dressing. Cover and let them soak up the flavor in the fridge for at least a few hours or up to a full day.
- Prep the Drumsticks. Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any extra dressing. Arrange them on a prepared baking sheet, giving each piece a little space.
- Season. Mix together the ingredients for the spice rub. Sprinkle half over the drumsticks, flip them over, and coat the other side.
- Bake to Perfection. Pop them in the oven and let them bake. While they bake, move on to the sauce!
- Make the Herb Butter Sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan, then stir in white wine, minced garlic, fresh herbs, hot sauce, lemon zest, and juice. Keep the heat low — just enough to bring everything together. Turn off the heat once all of the ingredients are combined.
- Baste and Finish. After a half hour, brush the drumsticks with the butter sauce, then return them to the oven for a final round of baking. Once done, let them rest, baste again, and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
5S Philosophy 👩🏻🍳
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- Salt – The kosher salt in both the seasoning mix brings out all the deep, savory flavors and keeps the chicken juicy. If you don’t choose to use the seasoning mix, be sure to use the marinade, which will have a bit of salt, too.
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- Seasoning – A balance of smoky, savory, and slightly sweet seasonings makes these drumsticks anything but boring!
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- Sauces – The buttery herb sauce is what sets this recipe apart. It soaks into the crispy skin, giving it rich flavor.
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- Swaps – Try trading out the drumsticks for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. You can also swap the fresh herbs for dried — just use a single tablespoon of Italian seasoning.
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- Senses – The aroma of roasted garlic and herbs is sure to have everyone lingering in the kitchen. And the golden, crispy skin is the ultimate sign that dinner is going to be delicious!
What Completes the Meal
These baked chicken drumsticks are super versatile and pair well with so many sides. A crisp green salad or roasted veggies balance out the richness of the butter sauce — or you can soak up that sauce with mashed potatoes or fluffy rice.
Feeling like digging into a serious comfort meal? Serve the drumsticks alongside sweet, buttery cornbread and creamy mac and cheese.
Finally, you can pack these drumsticks for a picnic, too — they’re just as tasty served cold! Pair them with potato salad, macaroni salad, deviled eggs, or fruit salad.
Storage and Freezing
If you’re into meal prep, baked chicken drumsticks are for you! They store beautifully and can even be eaten chilled, making them perfect for quick meals during the week.
How to Store
Store leftover baked chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to keep the skin crispy.
Can I Freeze Baked Chicken Drumsticks?
Freeze cooked drumsticks in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven or air fryer.
Ask Away: Recipe Insights
You can absolutely cook the chicken in an air fryer! Just be sure to flip them halfway through (after about 10-15 minutes) and to check the temperature with a meat thermometer.
Marinating isn’t a must, but it’s a great way to infuse your drumsticks with flavor and make sure that they turn out tender.
Yes, this can be a great sheet pan meal! Just toss your veggies right onto the baking sheet with the drumsticks.
More Chicken Recipes
If you love this versatile protein as much as we do, you’ll want to take a peek at these other easy ways to whip it up for lunch and dinner!
Easy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 5-6 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 2 cups Italian dressing , optional
Spice Rub:
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Herb Butter Sauce:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons white wine , optional
- 3-4 cloves fresh garlic , minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs , chopped*
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 fresh lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- fresh parsley , for garnish, optional
Instructions
- If marinating, place the 5-6 pounds chicken drumsticks in a large bowl high sided casserole dish and cover with the 2 cups Italian dressing, covering evenly and marinating for 4- 24 hours.
- When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, tapping to get off excess dressing or just setting onto a large, rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment (for easy clean up).
- In a small bowl, stir together the 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Sprinkle half of this mixture over the chicken, turning the chicken over and sprinkling the remaining spices on the other side. Arrange with space between each piece of chicken and the smooth, meaty side up.
- Bake the chicken uncovered for 30 minutes.
- While the chicken bakes, melt the 1 cup unsalted butter in a small saucepan. Add the 2 tablespoons white wine (optional, 3-4 cloves fresh garlic, minced 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, 2 teaspoons hot sauce, zest and juice of 1 fresh lemon and 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, stirring until combined. Turn off the heat, only turning onto low if the mixture starts to separate.
- At 30 minutes, remove the chicken and baste generously with the butter sauce. There will be butter sauce leftover.
- Return to the oven for approximately 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove and allow to rest for 5 minutes before basting with the remaining butter sauce.
- Top with chopped fresh parsley, for garnish, if desired.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
