These oven baked chicken drumsticks are easy, flavorful, and perfect for a simple weeknight dinner. The chicken is coated with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and herbs, then baked until tender and golden.
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This is one of those easy "sprinkle and bake" recipes that comes in handy when you want something tasty without a lot of prep work. Serve these baked chicken legs with rice, roasted vegetables, salad, or your favorite side dishes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy weeknight chicken dinner
- Made with simple pantry seasonings
- Great for meal prep
- No marinating needed
- Family-friendly
- Naturally gluten-free
Ingredients
- 10 chicken drumsticks
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons Herbes de Provence
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
Ingredient Notes
Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken drumsticks are affordable, flavorful, and great for baking. Try to arrange them in a single layer with space between each piece so they roast instead of steam.
Olive Oil
Olive oil helps the seasoning stick to the chicken and encourages browning in the oven.
Herbes de Provence
Herbes de Provence adds a savory, herby flavor. If you don't have it, you can use Italian seasoning instead.
Paprika
Paprika adds color and a mild smoky-sweet flavor. Smoked paprika can also be used for a deeper flavor.
How to Make Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl and toss with olive oil.
In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, Herbes de Provence, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken and toss until the drumsticks are evenly coated.
Step 3: Arrange on a Baking Sheet
Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet in a single layer. Leave a little space between each piece so they cook evenly.
For easier cleanup, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 30 minutes.
Flip the drumsticks over, then bake for another 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is golden.
Chicken drumsticks are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 5: Serve
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for Success
- Pat the drumsticks dry before adding oil and seasoning.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Flip the drumsticks halfway through for more even browning.
- For crispier skin, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely so they don't burn.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through. You can also microwave them, but the skin will be softer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you bake chicken drumsticks at 400°F?
Chicken drumsticks usually take about 40-45 minutes at 400°F, depending on their size. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Do you need to flip chicken drumsticks while baking?
Yes, flipping them halfway through helps them brown more evenly on both sides.
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes. Bone-in chicken thighs can be baked using a similar method, though the cook time may vary depending on size.
Can I make this recipe with chicken wings?
Yes, but chicken wings will usually cook faster than drumsticks, so start checking them earlier.
Can I use Italian seasoning instead of Herbes de Provence?
Yes. Italian seasoning is a good substitute if you don't have Herbes de Provence.
Simple Oven Baked Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 10 Chicken Drumsticks
- 2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoon Herbes de Provence
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoon pepper
- ⅓ cup Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 °F.
- Cover the drumsticks in olive oil. Btw, quantity of drumstick doesn’t really matter as long as you can fit them all on Baking Pans without touching each other.
- Mix all the spices together and sprinkle the drumsticks with the spice mix. Now, if you were going to ask me how MUCH of each spice, it’s really just even ratio all around. So you can do 1 teaspoon of each spice, for example. Of course if you like garlic the most or something, you can go ahead and add a bit more of that than the others – up to you! I actually just eyeball it because I’m lazy.
- Place the drumsticks on a baking pan without the drumsticks touching each other. (Optional: You can line the baking pan with aluminum foil first for easy clean up!)
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Take out the drumsticks and flip it over to the other side. At this point, I actually like to sprinkle the drumsticks a little more on this new side. This is optional, of course. I just think it looks yummier – gives this side a texture, when it is done!
- Bake another 15 minutes or until cooked thoroughly.
- Serve! Yum!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 473Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 231mgSodium: 1111mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 44g
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Rachel says
I love double-breading with recipes like this. Sprinkle with spices, dip in egg yolk, sprinkle again! 🙂
tsaitina says
YUM! What a great idea! I will try that next time I'm not feeling 100% lazy 😀
Tarah @ What I Gather says
I have been all about batch cooking lately. I'll definitely be cooking some of these up on the weekend!
Heather says
These look great (And so simple!) and I bet my kids will eat them. Thanks for the recipe!