Easy recipe for Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks that are so juicy and mouthwatering. The chicken legs use an easy marinade that is so flavorful, then, smothered in favorite barbecue sauce and baked to crispy perfection.

Enjoy these baked chicken legs with a side of Mashed Potatoes and Spring Salad.

Close up picture of Baked barbecue chicken drumsticks in plate.

baked drumsticks-

Drumsticks (legs) are an inexpensive cut of meat to cook with. If marinated properly, they taste phenomenal with minimal ingredients. I love this particular recipe because the flavors from the marinade penetrate into the meat and the legs become so juicy and burst with flavor. Once baked, the drumsticks are generously smothered in BBQ sauce of choice and cooked until chicken is crispy.

Your whole family with love this effortless easy BBQ baked chicken in the oven.

Baked BBQ chicken in a bowl topped with green onion.

how to make baked bbq chicken-

Tough chicken drumsticks are forgiving and you can usually get away without a marinade, allowing the chicken some time to marinate will always result in better meat!

  • Combine the mayo, horseradish, oil, garlic, salt, paprika, and pepper to create a wonderful marinade for the chicken.
    • Can I taste the mayo? NO! You will not be able to taste the mayo, it only acts as a tenderizer.
  • Coat the chicken drumsticks in the marinade. Add onions to the chicken, cover and refrigerate.
    • A large plastic bag may be used instead of a bowl.
  • Lay out chicken onto a lined baking sheet and bake.
  • Brush chicken generously with your favorite BBQ sauce and continue baking until chicken drumsticks are crispy and fully cooked.
Step by step instructions on how to make barbecue drumsticks.

how long should chicken drumsticks marinate?

Because drumsticks have a bone, you typically want to allow the chicken to marinate for at least 3-4 hours or overnight. With a proper marinade combined with the juices from the bone, chicken drumsticks are a wonderful choice of meat for baked recipes.

Baked BBQ chicken drumsticks in a bowl with topped with green onion.

If you make these Baked BBQ Drumsticks, please tag us, we love seeing your creations. #ValentinasCorner

Try these other CHICKEN recipes:

Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Square image of BBQ coated baked legs.
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5 from 4 votes
Easy recipe for baked BBQ chicken legs in oven smothered in your favorite barbecue sauce and baked to crispy perfection.
Author: Valentina
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F at step 4. Cover baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup. 
  • Prepare marinade. Combine the mayo, horseradish, oil, garlic, salt, paprika, and pepper. Pour over chicken legs and mix well. Add onions and mix again. 
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 3-4 hours or overnight.
  • Lay out chicken onto a baking sheet, discard of the onions. 
  • Bake about 35 minutes until the skins of the drumsticks become crispy (baking time may slightly vary, depending on the size of drumsticks and oven).
  • Coat drumsticks generously with barbecue sauce. Return to oven. Bake another 10-15 minutes. 
  • Enjoy immediately.

Notes

(Chicken is cooked when internal reading is 165°F. Measure the thickest part of the meat and don’t touch the bone.)

Nutrition

Calories: 363kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 27gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 1050mgPotassium: 447mgSugar: 9gVitamin A: 310IUVitamin C: 3.2mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1.2mg
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)