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Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

crispy baked chicken drumsticks - featured image

A simple and easy recipe for crispy baked chicken drumsticks with juicy meat and crunchy skin, perfect for quick dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2 pounds / 900 grams), skin on
  • 1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Use convection setting if available.
  2. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir to blend evenly.
  4. Add olive oil to the bowl, then toss the drumsticks in the spice and oil mixture until each piece is thoroughly coated.
  5. Arrange the drumsticks on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet, spacing them apart for air circulation.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through baking for even crispiness.
  7. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden brown and crisp.
  8. If needed, broil for 1-2 minutes to achieve extra crispiness, watching closely to avoid burning.
  9. Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly to ensure crispy skin. Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid off taste. Flip drumsticks halfway through baking for even crispiness. Let rest before serving. Broil briefly if extra crispiness is desired. For reheating, use oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain crispiness; avoid microwaving.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy baked chicken drumsticks, easy chicken recipe, baked chicken, crispy chicken skin, healthy chicken dinner, gluten-free chicken