Chicken is the most common type of poultry in the world.[1] Owing to the relative ease and low cost of raising chickens—in comparison to mammals such as cattle or hogs—chicken meat (commonly called just “chicken”) and chicken eggs have become prevalent in numerous cuisines.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the drumsticks in a single layer on the parchment.
Make the seasoning paste: In a medium bowl, use a fork or a spatula to mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, and spices.
Using a pastry brush or your hands, coat the chicken pieces with the seasoning paste.
Bake the drumsticks uncovered until their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, about 40 minutes.
Baste the drumsticks with the pan juices using a clean pastry brush. Serve immediately.
NOTES
Check on the drumsticks after the first 30 minutes. If they seem to be darkening too fast on top, loosely cover them with foil and keep cooking until they are cooked through.
Chicken should be fully cooked. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when measured with an instant-read thermometer not touching the bone.
Yes, unfortunately, you can. So keep an eye on them. They should be ready after about 40 minutes, but if your oven runs hot, they might be ready sooner.
How do I know when the chicken is ready?
Chicken should be fully cooked. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when measured with an instant-read thermometer not touching the bone.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius approx 400 Fahrenheit
Line a roasting pan with baking paper (you don’t have to but it does make clean up easier)
Place the drums in the roasting pan, keep them single layer with just a little space between each
In a small bowl whisk together the marinade, oil, paprika, garlic, lemon rind and salt (you can use a whisk or fork, you just want it well combined
Pour the marinade over the drums, I use a brush to spread it evenly
Bake in the hot oven for 45 mins, if you like a crispier skin, at the 40 min mark baste the drums with the pan juices and pop your oven on grill for the final 5 mins of cooking
Serve
Notes
Paprika gives a lot of colour but little to no heat. This recipe is delicious with either sweet or smoked paprika, but if you are using smoked the flavour is a lot stronger. Personally, I prefer it, but if your family are not used to smoked paprika I would try sweet paprika first.
I serve this with a 50:50 cauliflower potato mash and green vegetables
If your chicken drumsticks are quite wet when you remove them from the packaging, pat them dry with a paper towel before marinating them.
Use a hot oven, and make sure it is pre-heated to the correct temperature before cooking the chicken drumsticks.
If you like chicken drumsticks with crispier skin, at the 40 min mark baste the drums with the pan juices and pop your oven on grill for the final 5 mins of cooking
When baking chicken drumsticks I recommend a hot oven. For me that’s 200-220 degrees Celsius this will ensure you end up with crispy skin and not awful rubbery skin. I believe 200-220 degrees celsius converts to around 400 to 420 Fahrenheit
Should drumsticks be covered in the oven?
Chicken drumsticks do not need to be covered when baked in the oven. Baking them uncovered allows the chicken skin to caramelize and crisp.
Chicken drumsticks are delicious served with a creamy smooth carbohydrate such as mashed potatoes, cauliflower pureé or polenta, and a steamed green vegetable such as beans or broccoli.
How can you tell when drumsticks are done?
A good indicator for when your chicken drumsticks are done is when you notice the skin cracks and the tendons begin to shrink. Cut into one drumstick and ensure the juices run clear this will indicate the chicken legs are cooked.
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place an oven safe rack on top. (I use this set, which includes the baking sheet and rack that fits perfectly.)
Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels, which will help them get crispy. Arrange the chicken legs on the rack.
Brush the chicken drumsticks with melted butter. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Bake the chicken legs in the oven for 25 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutesbefore serving.
HOW LONG DO YOU BAKE CHICKEN LEGS IN THE OVEN?
For average sized drumsticks, I recommend a cook time of 35-45 minutes at 425 degrees, flipping halfway through. The exact time will vary a bit, due to varying oven temperatures as well as drumstick size.
Whether you are cooking chicken legs in the oven or using just about any other method, they should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F; some people prefer 170 degrees F for more tender meat. Either way, here is the meat thermometer I use and recommend.
Yes, easy baked chicken legs in oven is a healthy way to cook drumsticks. They are a great source of essential amino acids, and several vitamins and minerals as well. Being higher in fat, drumsticks are a great choice for a keto lifestyle.
HOW MANY CALORIES IN A BAKED CHICKEN LEG?
A baked chicken leg using this recipe has 236 calories, which includes the butter we brush on top. The calorie count will vary based on size.
HOW MUCH PROTEIN IN A CHICKEN LEG?
An average chicken leg has 22 grams of protein, but it will vary a bit depending on their size.
CAN YOU FREEZE RAW DRUMSTICKS?
Absolutely! You can freeze raw chicken for up to 9-12 months for best results. Simply lay the drumsticks on a parchment lined sheet pan in a single layer and place in the freezer. Once solid, you can move them to a freezer bag for more compact storage.
Place drumsticks onto a paper towel and pat them dry, then season with salt and pepper on all sides.
In a small bowl, combine the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika and mix to combine.
In a ziplock bag or large bowl, toss half of the drumsticks and half of the flour mixture together until the chicken is coated. Repeat with the rest of the drumsticks and flour mixture.
Place the floured chicken onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and add a ½ tablespoon slice of butter onto the top of each drumstick.
Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and brush the melted butter on over the drumsticks. Return to the oven and bake for about 10 more minutes, or until the drumsticks are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Remove the drumsticks from the oven and cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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