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Easy Oven BBQ Chicken Drumsticks - Juicy Baked BBQ Chicken Legs Recipe

These oven-baked BBQ chicken drumsticks deliver restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, featuring perfectly juicy meat with a sticky, caramelized exterior. The clever baking technique ensures crispy skin without frying, creating tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken coated in sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 8-10 chicken drumsticks (about 2-3 pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and promotes crispy skin. Place them in a large bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over all the drumsticks.
  4. Arrange the seasoned drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they're not touching. Bake for 25 minutes.
  5. While the chicken bakes, prepare the barbecue glaze by combining the barbecue sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
  6. After 25 minutes, remove the drumsticks from the oven and brush generously with the barbecue glaze. Return to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy and caramelized.
  7. For extra stickiness, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  8. Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for crispy skin, use meat thermometer to ensure 165°F internal temperature, apply barbecue sauce at 25-minute mark to prevent burning, works well as sheet pan meal with vegetables