Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These baked BBQ chicken drumsticks are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and coated in a sticky, flavorful barbecue sauce. This easy oven-baked chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or casual gatherings with minimal prep and cleanup.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 380kcal
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs
- Basting brush
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup barbecue sauce
- Chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the drumsticks with olive oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
- Arrange the drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
- Bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove the drumsticks from the oven and brush them generously with barbecue sauce.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the sauce is sticky and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
For extra crispy skin, place the drumsticks under the broiler for 2–3 minutes after baking. Watch closely to prevent burning. You can also use your favorite homemade or store-bought barbecue sauce for different flavor variations.