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Simple Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Simple Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks are a classic and budget friendly meal. The seasoning on these roasted chicken pieces are usually basic, sometimes just salt and pepper.

I’m going to share with you an easy and delicious way to have moist baked chicken with crispy skin the whole family will love.

You’ll find baked chicken on nearly every menu of a meat and three dining establishment in the South. It really could be considered baked to death chicken.

You end up with a dry chicken breast that nearly chokes you. Those dry baked to death chicken breasts are  a favorite choice for many and popular menu item.

Personally, I prefer baking dark meat chicken pieces. Dark meat pieces can withstand being cooked for a longer amount of time to get that perfect crispy skin without drying out. Chicken legs are inexpensive too.

I picked up a package for under three dollars. Five minutes of prep is all it takes and these drumsticks go into the oven, leaving you time to work on other things.

Crispy Skinned Baked Chicken Legs with Ghee

Printable Recipe Card at the end of this post

Simple Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)

Next, Step 2: Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.

Step 3: Lay out drumsticks on the lined baking sheet, making sure not to over crowd.

Step 4: Prepare Seasoning Mixture: Add ghee, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder to a small microwaveable dish. Heat in the microwave 25-30 seconds to melt the ghee. Mix to combine.

Step 5: Brush each chicken leg drumstick with the ghee seasoning mixture on all sides.

Step 6: Sprinkle a little salt on each drumstick

Healthy Chicken Drumstick Recipe

Step 7: Place into the pre-heated oven and bake for 1 hour. After 1 hour, turn each drumstick and bake an additional 15-20 minutes.

Oven Roasted Chicken Legs

The skin on these chicken legs is so crispy and the chicken just melts in your mouth. Since there’s just the two of us, I serve a salad with a couple of drumsticks each.

If you’ve never used ghee, give it a try instead of butter for the seasoning baste. Ghee has a higher smoke point and doesn’t burn like butter. If you’re not familiar with ghee, it’s a clarified butter, and can be stored in the pantry.

Crispy Drumsticks Roasted

Suggested Side Dishes

Printable Recipe Card

Yield: 6 Servings

Simple Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Baked Chicken Legs

Healthy and delicious oven roasted chicken drumsticks that leave the skin perfectly brown and crispy. A kid friendly favorite.

Ingredients

  • 2-4 lbs Chicken Drumsticks
  • 2 tbs Ghee
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • Cracked Black Pepper, to taste
  • Dash of Salt, for each drumstick

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F
  2. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
  3. Lay out drumsticks on the lined baking sheet, making sure not to over crowd.
  4. Prepare Seasoning Mixture: Add ghee, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder to a small microwaveable dish. Heat in the microwave 25-30 seconds to melt the ghee. Mix to combine.
  5. Brush each chicken leg drumstick with the ghee seasoning mixture on all sides.
  6. Sprinkle a dash of salt on each drumstick.
  7. Place into the pre-heated oven and bake for 1 hour. After 1 hour, turn each drumstick and bake an additional 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 681Total Fat: 60gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 35gCholesterol: 798mgSodium: 634mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 149g

See it at the Weekend Potluck

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Home » Simple Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

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Author of Julia's Simply Southern

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Megan Grabner

Thursday 7th of May 2020

I have come back and made this at least 7 times now - perfect every time! Thanks for sharing!

Julia Jordan

Friday 8th of May 2020

Megan, I'm so happy that you're enjoying this easy recipe! Thanks for stopping by to let me know. ~Julia

Rick P.

Wednesday 1st of April 2020

This was the best baked chicken recipe I have tasted. I have to say, I used regular butter instead of Ghee as I did not have any and still it was awesome. I most definitely will do it again. Thanks

Julia Jordan

Thursday 2nd of April 2020

Rick, I'm so happy that you enjoyed this recipe. It's a favorite on the site. Have a great rest of your week! ~Julia

Sandra

Monday 30th of September 2019

Made this recipe a couple of nights back, they are delicious! Best recipe I have found !!! I is a keeper!

Julia Jordan

Monday 30th of September 2019

Sandra, Thank you so much for stopping by to let me know how much you enjoyed this recipe. That means the world to me. ~ Julia

Lynsey Bizell

Wednesday 24th of April 2019

I have made this 5 times and it is my new go-to. Lately, I haven't had much of an appetite- especially for protein and somehow i always want to eat these. They are absolutely perfect. I use Penzey's Seasoning Salt in place of paprika and it's so amazing. Also use butter and I have no complaints. Thank you so much for this delicious recipe!

Julia Jordan

Wednesday 24th of April 2019

Lynsey, Thank you so much for your kind words. It truly makes me happy when I hear that someone is enjoying my recipes. ~ Julia

Amy - The Speedy Spatula

Friday 17th of August 2018

These drumsticks are perfection! Hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend!

Julia Jordan

Friday 17th of August 2018

Amy, Thank you friend!

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