These crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks are super easy, quick, and healthy. This recipe is so tasty, you won’t believe it’s Whole30, Keto, and Paleo approved.
These chicken drumsticks will taste divine with my Garlic Asparagus and Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts on the side.
Table Of Contents
Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe Details
These Baked Chicken Drumsticks make a quick, healthy, and Whole30 and Paleo-friendly option for dinner. If you’re the type of person who likes to do as little prep work as possible when cooking, then this recipe is for you!
- TASTE: The baked chicken is seasoned in a mixture of aromatic herbs and baked with fresh lemons on top for the most delicious savory flavor.
- TEXTURE: The center of the chicken drumsticks are juicy-tender and the outside it baked to crispy perfection.
- TIME: Once you brown the meat in a skillet, all you need to do is bake in the oven for an hour and 15 minutes.
- EASE: This dish doesn’t get any easier. Just season the meat, brown, and bake!
What You’ll Need
- Chicken drumsticks
- Seasonings–Salt, Paprika, Dried thyme, Garlic powder, and Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Lemon
- Yellow onion
- Unsalted butter– optional, omit to make this dish Paleo and Whole30 compliant
How to Make Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Make seasoning mix. In a large bowl, combine the salt, paprika, thyme, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Toss chicken and seasonings. Add the drumsticks to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
- Prep the onion and lemon. Slice the lemon and onion into thin slices. Set aside.
- Brown the chicken. Heat the olive oil over high heat in a large skillet. Then brown each side of the chicken, but don’t fully cook them.
Pro Tip: Browning the chicken will add more flavor and crisp the skin a little so the dish is even more delicious. Don’t skip this step!
- Line the pan with onions. Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish with the sliced onions. Spread evenly.
- Add the chicken and lemon. Place the browned drumsticks into the baking dish and add half a slice of lemon and a small slice of butter (if using) on top of each drumstick.
- Bake. Bake at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour or an hour and 15 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning- Doing this gets rid of excess moisture so the chicken will get even crispier as it bakes.
- Slice the lemon and onions thin- Doing this will give the onions the chance to get soft and brown faster, releasing more flavor. You don’t want the lemons too thick or they will overpower the spices.
- Brown the chicken drumsticks- This step adds lots of flavor and gives the chicken that wonderful crispness to its skin.
- Check the chicken temp with a meat thermometer- To make sure the chicken is fully cooked, check the temperature with a meat thermometer. It should be at least 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add other vegetables- Onion isn’t the only veggie you can bake with your chicken. Try celery, carrots, peppers, or broccoli.
- Substitute another cut of chicken- You can also make this recipe with chicken thighs, wings, and breasts. Just be sure to adjust the cook time depending on the thickness of the chicken you use.
- Substitute different spices- Use your favorite spice blend. Try cumin, onion powder, oregano, or cayenne powder.
- Add fresh herbs- You can make these Baked Chicken Drumsticks with dill, rosemary, sage, or chives if you like.
FAQs
I cook these chicken drumsticks for a little over an hour. You should always cook chicken legs until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit. This article from Better Homes and Gardens has a complete list of cooking times and temperatures.
This is up to you, but usually, the chicken will be juicier if it is cooked covered for the first half of the cooking time, and then uncovered for the second half so the chicken can get more brown and crispy.
Serving Suggestions
These Baked Chicken Drumsticks are very filling and can be served as is or with a light side. Here are a few tasty serving options to try.
- Salad: This recipe tastes delicious with Shredded Carrot Salad, Cabbage Cucumber Salad, or Purple Cabbage Salad.
- Soup: Serve a bowl of Chicken Tortilla Soup or Cream of Mushroom Soup alongside these Baked Chicken Drumsticks.
- Vegetables: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Roasted Air Fryer Vegetables, and Super Creamy Mashed Potatoes all go great with this dish.
- Rice: For a more filling meal, serve a side of Wild Brown Rice or Quinoa Fried Rice with these drumsticks.
Make These Baked Chicken Drumsticks in Advance
Make ahead: You can prepare these drumsticks and then cover the dish with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge the day before. Take off the plastic wrap and bake them when you are ready to serve.
Storing: Place any leftover Baked Chicken Drumsticks in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate. They will last for 3-4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze this dish, covered with foil and plastic wrap, for 2-3 months. Just thaw and heat in the oven until warmed through.
More Tasty Chicken Dishes!
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- BBQ Chicken Wings
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (VIDEO)
- Smoked Chicken Breast
- Chicken Pesto Pizza
- Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (VIDEO)
For a more detailed breakdown of how to use spices, click here.
Full Recipe Instructions
Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 10 chicken drumsticks
- 3-4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 yellow onion 1 medium
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter omit to make this paleo and whole 30
Instructions
- Add the drumstick to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
- Slice the lemon and onion into thin slices.
- Heat olive oil over high heat in a large skillet and brown each side of the chicken. Don’t fully cook them.
- Cover the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish with the sliced onions.
- Place the browned drumsticks into the baking dish and add half a slice of lemon and a small slice of butter on top of each drumstick.
- Bake at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour or an hour and 15 minutes.
Nutrition
- Bang Bang Chicken Skewers - June 9, 2025
- California Roll Sushi Bowls - June 4, 2025
- Caprese Chicken - May 31, 2025
Elizabeth Smalley says
So very yummy! It is defintely a favorite with my family!!
Dina says
Hi Elizabeth 🙂 So glad to hear that your family loves these chicken drumsticks. It is always a win when the whole family approves of a recipe. Thank you for your feedback! 🙂
YC says
Great recipe! Have made this recipe for years! Tried the oven method 480 degrees for 20 minutes and 380 degrees for 55 minutes and came out juicy! Had pan seared in the past and tried non fry method and came out DELICIOUS!. Less stove stop clean up. Highly recommend.
Dina says
I am so glad you love this recipe! Thank you for the kind feedback! 🙂
Leslie says
Looks tasty!! I’m going to make this tonight for dinner
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Leslie, thank you! I hope you enjoy this lemon chicken recipe 🙂
Manda says
Great recipe! I have made many times following exactly and it comes out great. Recently I didn’t feel like searing in the pan or dealing with splattering oil or clean-up, so I seared them in the oven. The method is linked below but I put the temperature at 480 (100 degrees higher than the cooking time) and kept legs in there for 20 mins at 480, flipping halfway through for even browning. Then I lowered the temperature to 380 (original cook temperature) and roasted them for 55 minutes ( original cook time minus 20 minutes). I used a meat thermometer and they were perfect! I’ve had great success with this method and I don’t have to deal with stove-top clean-up!
Love this recipe thank you for posting! Below is the method I referenced for oven-searing meats…
https://www.livestrong.com/article/460565-how-to-oven-sear-meat/
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you for sharing that Manda! We make this chicken recipe all the time. I am so going to try this method next time 🙂
Lori says
This is a family favorite recipe and I’m including my kids. We make this 1-2 times a month. I double the recipe and it’s great for leftovers. Thanks.
simplyhomecooked says
Lori, that’s so good to hear! Thank you for sharing your kind feedback. I appreciate it so much 🙂
Yolanda Savedra says
Making it tonight and I can’t wait!!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Yolanda, I hope you enjoy the baked lemon chicken 🙂
RhondaHaley says
Can I just bake them without browning in skillet first? I’m sure this would affect the time?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Rhonda, you can definitely bake them only in the oven but they will need to bake longer. I’m not sure how much more longer since I’ve always used the browning method.
Regina says
Thank you so much my husband love the lemon chicken he ate 6 legs.
Also he did the dishes
Thank you
simplyhomecooked says
That’s awesome Regina 🙂 Glad he enjoyed them that much lol.
irina khoma says
This is the best recipe I found on drumsticks. I really like the butter and lemons on them 🙂 I lost count how many I made these hehe
simplyhomecooked says
My family always makes these too. We love how quick it is to make.
Nati Thweatt says
Love this recipe so much!! I served it with brussel sprouts sauteed with bacon and some potato wedges seasoned with parmesan and Italian herbs. Family devoured all of it. This has become our favorite chicken recipe. Thanks so much for sharing! ❤
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you for taking the time to write such a kind review Nati!
Bianca says
I didn’t have any lemons so i utilized limes instead. I added a little chile pepper to add a little kick and squeezed lime juice over the drumsticks as well. Will definitly make this again. Thank you family enjoyed it.
simplyhomecooked says
I’m glad you enjoyed the lemon chicken Bianca!