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Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

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4 from 10 reviews

Delicious and easy-to-make oven-baked BBQ chicken drumsticks that are juicy, sweet, and tangy. Perfect for a quick dinner with a flavorful homemade-style barbeque experience using simple spices and your favorite BBQ sauce.

Ingredients

Chicken Drumsticks

  • 1 ½ pounds chicken drumsticks

Seasoning Mixture

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Barbeque Sauce

  • 1 ½ cups barbeque sauce (such as Sweet Baby Ray’s), or more to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Mix Seasonings and Coat Drumsticks: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Add the chicken drumsticks and toss well to ensure even coating with the seasoning mixture.
  3. First Bake: Arrange the drumsticks evenly on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are spaced apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to start cooking the chicken through.
  4. First BBQ Sauce Application: Remove the drumsticks from the oven and generously brush them with barbeque sauce. Return to the oven and bake for another 7 to 8 minutes to let the sauce set.
  5. Flip and Sauce Again: Flip the drumsticks over, brush more barbeque sauce on the other side, and bake for an additional 7 to 8 minutes. This will build a flavorful glaze on the chicken.
  6. Broil for Finish: Adjust your oven rack to position about 6 inches from the broiler element and turn on the broiler setting. Brush the drumsticks again with bbq sauce and broil for 3 to 4 minutes.
  7. Flip and Final Broil: Flip the drumsticks once more, brush with more barbeque sauce, and broil for another 3 to 4 minutes until the juices run clear, the chicken is no longer pink near the bone, and an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F (74°C).
  8. Rest and Serve: Remove the drumsticks from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and flavors to settle.

Notes

  • Using an instant-read thermometer ensures the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
  • Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the heat level.
  • You can substitute the barbeque sauce with your favorite homemade or store-bought variety.
  • Broiling at the end caramelizes the sauce, giving the chicken a deliciously sticky texture.
  • Line the baking sheet with foil to make cleanup easier and avoid burning drippings.