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Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
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Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are a juicy, flavorful, and easy-to-make dinner featuring tender chicken legs coated in a smoky, tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for family meals, meal prep, or gatherings, this recipe delivers crispy skin and moist meat with minimal effort and customizable flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 8–10 chicken drumsticks, fresh or thawed, skin-on

Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

BBQ Sauce

  • ½ to ¾ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Drumsticks: Pat the chicken drumsticks dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the skin crisp during baking. Lightly coat each drumstick with olive oil to help the seasoning adhere and promote even browning.
  2. Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the drumsticks, gently massaging it into the skin for full flavor coverage.
  3. Apply BBQ Sauce: Brush a generous layer of your chosen BBQ sauce onto each drumstick, making sure every inch is coated with the sticky, flavorful glaze. Reserve some sauce for basting during baking.
  4. Bake to Perfection: Arrange the drumsticks spaced evenly on a lined baking sheet or a wire rack placed over a pan for better air circulation. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 35-40 minutes. Flip the drumsticks halfway through cooking and baste with additional BBQ sauce to seal in moisture and develop a caramelized crust.
  5. Final Broil (Optional): For extra caramelized edges, broil the drumsticks for 2-3 minutes after baking. Watch carefully to avoid burning, allowing the BBQ sauce to develop a slightly crispy finish.

Notes

  • Dry the skin thoroughly before seasoning to achieve crispy texture.
  • Use a wire rack during baking to prevent sogginess and help even cooking.
  • Flip and baste with BBQ sauce halfway through to keep the drumsticks juicy and flavorful.
  • Avoid overcrowding the pan to allow heat circulation and proper crisping.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to redistribute juices and enhance tenderness.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked BBQ chicken, chicken drumsticks, BBQ drumsticks, oven baked chicken, easy dinner, gluten free recipe

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/baked-bbq-chicken-drumsticks/