These oven baked chicken drumsticks are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make for dinner. Coated in a simple seasoning mix, the chicken legs bake until golden brown and oh-so-crispy. With just 5 minutes of prep and a short marinade, these baked chicken legs are an easy dinner the whole family will love.

A white plate with chicken drumsticks topped with fresh chopped greens.

Chicken legs are a great protein that stays juicy and delicious no matter how you cook them! Make one-pan potato and chicken legs or homemade bbq chicken legs; you can’t go wrong with a juicy drumstick. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make. This recipe takes just a few simple steps and makes a perfect dinner entree. 
  • Perfect for leftovers. Drumsticks taste even better when reheated, making them perfect for meal prep.
  • Short list of ingredients. This simple recipe uses only a few ingredients, making it an easy and delicious meal. 

Ingredients for Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks

  • Mayo and oil – This combination helps create a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
  • Drumsticks – For this recipe, use skin-on, bone-in chicken legs. 
  • Spice mixture – A blend of salt, pepper, paprika, onion, and garlic powder adds the perfect flavor to the juicy chicken legs.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.

Chicken legs laid out in a casserole dish topped with fresh greens.

Expert Tips: 

  • Pat the chicken dry. Use paper towels to remove excess moisture before adding the mayo mixture. This helps the seasoning stick to the drumsticks and gives the skin a crispy exterior. 
  • Marinate for more flavor. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the refrigerator, so the seasoning can really penetrate the chicken. 
  • Leave space between drumsticks. Arrange the chicken in a single layer with space between each piece to help it cook evenly.
  • Check the temperature. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of each drumstick reaches 165°F without touching the bone.

How to Make Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven 

  1. Mix seasoning. Combine salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder in a small bowl. This will be the seasoning blend for the drumsticks. 
  2. Make mayo mixture. Mix mayonnaise and oil in a separate bowl, and set aside. 
  3. Coat chicken. Pat drumsticks dry with a paper towel, toss with the mayo mixture, and coat evenly with the seasoning.
  4. Marinate. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  5. Bake. Arrange drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
A white casserole dish filled with the chicken drumsticks topped with fresh green onion.

Other Cooking Methods

Though we love this oven baked drumstick recipe, you can also make these in the air fryer: 

  1. Prep. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
  2. Season. Prepare the mayo mixture and seasoning as directed. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry, coat with the mayo mixture, and toss with the seasoning.
  3. Arrange. Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
  4. Air fry. Cook for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking time may vary depending on the drumstick size and your air fryer.
  5. Serve. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Note: If your air fryer is small, you won’t be able to cook as many drumsticks as you would in the oven. 

Serving Suggestions

A chicken drumstick topped with fresh green onion.

Store & Reheat 

  • Storage. Store leftover chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use an air fryer at 350°F for 5–8 minutes to help crisp up the skin.
  • Freeze. Let the chicken cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

More Chicken Recipes

If you enjoyed this chicken leg recipe, be sure to try our other chicken recipes; here are some of our favorites:

If you tried this oven-baked chicken legs recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!

Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Author: Valentina Ablaev
Print
5 from 8 votes
Simple oven-baked chicken drumsticks are seasoned to perfection and baked until crispy and juicy. These drumsticks make the perfect protein and come together with only a few simple steps.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Marinade Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

seasoning-

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Prepare the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  • Mix the seasoning. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
  • Make the mayo mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and oil until combined.
  • Season the chicken. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Add the mayonnaise mixture and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken and toss again to coat all sides evenly.
  • Marinate. Cover and refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or overnight for more flavor.
  • Bake. Arrange the marinated drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Notes

  • Pat the chicken dry. Use paper towels to remove excess moisture before adding the mayo mixture. This helps the coating stick and promotes crispier skin.
  • Marinate for extra flavor. Marinate the drumsticks for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator to let the seasonings flavor the chicken.
  • Avoid overcrowding. Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer with space between each piece to ensure even cooking.
  • Check for doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of each drumstick reaches 165°F, avoiding contact with the bone.
  • Storage. Keep leftover chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat. Warm the drumsticks in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes or until heated through. For crispier skin, reheat them in an air fryer at 350°F for 5–8 minutes.
  • Freeze. Let the chicken cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition

242kcal Calories1g Carbs18g Protein18g Fat3g Saturated Fat5g Polyunsaturated Fat9g Monounsaturated Fat0.1g Trans Fat94mg Cholesterol702mg Sodium244mg Potassium0.2g Fiber0.1g Sugar213IU Vitamin A0.05mg Vitamin C13mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Amount Per Serving
Calories 242 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 94mg31%
Sodium 702mg31%
Potassium 244mg7%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 0.2g1%
Sugar 0.1g0%
Protein 18g36%
Vitamin A 213IU4%
Vitamin C 0.05mg0%
Calcium 13mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American