These baked chicken drumsticks are marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon, garlic and herbs, then baked to golden brown perfection . An easy dinner option that’s full of flavor and kid friendly too!

I love the kind of dinner where you can just stick a pan in the oven and walk away, it’s so much easier than a stove top dinner that requires more attention (and stirring!). When I need to have dinner on the table without a whole lot of fuss, I often turn to salmon foil packets , bacon wrapped chicken and these baked chicken drumsticks.

Baked chicken drumsticks flavored with garlic and herbs, then garnished with lemon wedges and parsley. - 1

We eat a LOT of chicken breast around here, and once in a while I feel the need to change things up a bit! When I’m looking for something familiar that the kids will happily eat, I often turn to chicken drumsticks. Drumsticks are inexpensive, readily available and my kids love them. These baked chicken drumsticks are marinated, then roasted until golden brown. It’s a dinner option that both the kids and adults will enjoy!

This recipe is perfect for when you want drumsticks. If you ever want some baked wings, try my lemon pepper wings , baked buffalo wings and classic baked chicken wings .

Baked Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients

When you make these baked chicken drumsticks you will need chicken drumsticks, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning and fresh parsley.

A bowl of chicken legs in a garlic and herb marinade. - 2

How do you make baked chicken drumsticks?

This baked chicken drumsticks recipe starts with a simple marinade. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. Place your drumsticks in your marinade and refrigerate them in for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Next, place the marinated drumsticks on a prepared sheet pan and roast the chicken. When the skin turns golden brown and the meat gets tender and juicy remove the chicken from the oven. Sprinkle a little fresh parsley over the drumsticks and enjoy!

Marinated chicken legs on a sheet pan, ready to go into the oven. - 3

Tips For The Perfect Baked Drumsticks

  • Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor, not the stuff in a bottle.
  • You want to spray your baking sheet with cooking spray or brush it lightly with oil to help the drumsticks to not stick on the baking sheet.
  • Feel free to place a layer of aluminum foil on your baking sheet for easy cleanup. If you use aluminum foil, spray it with cooking spray.
  • You can use an instant-read thermometer or another meat thermometer to see if your thickest drumstick has reached 165 degrees F on the inside.
  • The marinade helps infuse your baked chicken with flavor and helps your drumsticks get a nice crispy skin. If you want a crispier skin , feel free to use a convection oven.
  • Periodically check on your chicken as it cooks. You want the skin to brown, but you don’t want the garlic and herbs on the outside to burn. If the garlic and herbs are getting overly dark, you can lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees.
  • You can marinate your chicken in an airtight container or place a layer of plastic wrap over the top of your bowl of marinating drumsticks.

Quick Tip

I use dried Italian seasoning in the marinade which you can find in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. You can also make your own Italian seasoning .

Baked chicken drumsticks on a sheet pan. - 4

Chicken drumsticks take 40 minutes to bake in a 400 degree oven. If you have larger drumsticks you may need to increase the baking time to 45-50 minutes.

It is better to bake drumsticks at 400 degrees F because the skin will get crispy while the meat remains juicy.

No, you do not have to flip drumsticks in the oven. The drumsticks will cook well without flipping them. However, if you want to flip your drumsticks halfway through cooking, you can do that.

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Baked chicken drumsticks served with mashed potatoes and broccoli. - 5

Flavor Variations

This baked chicken drumstick recipe uses an Italian style marinade, but you can switch up the flavors to make this recipe your own.

  • Greek: Use 2 teaspoons of a store bought Greek seasoning or make your own Greek seasoning .
  • Mexican: Use lime juice instead of lemon juice and substitute 1 tablespoon of chili powder for the Italian seasoning or use 1 tablespoon of fajita seasoning .
  • Asian: Combine the olive oil with 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon minced ginger and 1 teaspoon minced garlic.
  • Seasonings: Feel free to add to your marinade your favorite seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper.

I make these baked chicken drumsticks almost every week because they’re a simple yet satisfying option with minimal prep work. You know it’s a good recipe when even the kids will happily eat it!

Sides TO Enjoy WITH CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

A bowl of fluffy Instant Pot mashed potatoes topped with pats of butter and sliced chives. - 6

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

20 mins

Homemade rice a roni topped with tomatoes and herbs, all in a skillet. - 7

Homemade Rice-A-Roni

25 mins

A row of green bean bundles on a pan. - 8

Bacon Green Bean Bundles

25 mins

A skillet of glazed carrots with brown sugar and butter sauce. - 9

Glazed Carrots

20 mins

A bowl of maple roasted sweet potatoes with cinnamon and butter. - 10

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Maple Butter

45 mins

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Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
  • ▢ 1/2 cup olive oil
  • ▢ 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • ▢ cooking spray

Instructions

  • Place the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
  • Place the chicken drumsticks in the bowl and coat them in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
  • Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer on the sheet pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
  • Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

Notes

  1. Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor, not the stuff in a bottle.
  2. Feel free to place a layer of aluminum foil on your baking sheet for easy cleanup. If you use aluminum foil, spray it with cooking spray.
  3. You can use an instant-read thermometer or another meat thermometer to see if your thickest drumstick has reached 165 degrees F on the inside.

Nutrition

A tray of baked chicken drumsticks marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon, garlic and herbs, then baked to golden brown perfection. - 11 Baked chicken drumsticks flavored with garlic and herbs, then garnished with lemon wedges and parsley. - 12

Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Garlic and Herbs

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Place the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
  • Place the chicken drumsticks in the bowl and coat them in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
  • Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer on the sheet pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
  • Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

Notes

  1. Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor, not the stuff in a bottle.
  2. Feel free to place a layer of aluminum foil on your baking sheet for easy cleanup. If you use aluminum foil, spray it with cooking spray.
  3. You can use an instant-read thermometer or another meat thermometer to see if your thickest drumstick has reached 165 degrees F on the inside.

Nutrition