Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Sticky with a hint of sweetness on the outside and tender and luscious inside, these barbeque chicken drumsticks are full of BBQ flavor right out of the oven.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love It
• 📝 Ingredients
• 🥄 Instructions
• 👍 Amira's Tips
• 🧺 Storage
• Serve with
• Related Recipes
• Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

❤️ Why You'll Love It

• This is an easy recipe for BBQ chicken great for weeknight dinners.
• No grill is required; just season, bake, and brush—that's all you need to do.
• A kid-friendly recipe that your whole family will love.

This recipe will give you nicely glazed, sticky, and tender, easy oven-baked BBQ chicken drumsticks that are perfect for any time of the year. Serve with couscous salad, chickpea salad or batata harra.

📝 Ingredients

Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

To make oven bbq chicken drumsticks you will need a handful of simple ingredients that are probably there in your kitchen. I have chosen to only season my drumsticks with salt and pepper as I did not want any other flavor to overpower the sauce. But it is up to you, you can add paprika, cardamom, ginger, or any combination you like.

• Drumsticks, bone-in, of course. You can also use bone in chicken thighs.
• Olive oil.
• Garlic.
• Lime/lemon juice.
• Salt and pepper.
• Barbecue sauce, I 've use sweet baby ray sauce but you can use your favorite bbq sauce or use homemade bbq sauce.

🥄 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. In a large bowl, add garlic, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper then mix well to combine.
2. Pat dry drumsticks with a paper towel, cut a slit in each one, and place it in the bowl. Coat the chicken on all sides and marinate for 30 minutes or up to 3 days.
3. Arrange chicken pieces on a prepared rimmed baking sheet lined with well-oiled aluminum foil or parchment paper. Bake on 350F oven for an hour.
4. Remove chicken from oven and increase oven temperature to 425F. Brush the drumsticks with bbq sauce then flip and brush the other side as well. Bake for 7 minutes. Repeat brushing and baking for another 3 or 4 times or until chicken is crispy, the sauce is dark and thick and well layered on your chicken.

👍 Amira's Tips

• Make ahead tip: you can marinate the chicken up to three days in advance and keep in your fridge.
• Making a slit in the drumsticks helps the marinade seep into the chicken. If you are making this ahead and keeping it in the fridge, you can skip this step.
• For a little kick mix in some cayenne pepper.
• Oil the baking sheet well or better yet use parchment paper so your chicken won't stick.
• If you want, you can char the drumsticks more by broiling them for a couple of minutes each side as a finishing step.
• Cooking time may vary so chicken is done when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees f in the thickest part of the meat. I recommend using a meat thermometer for the best results.

🧺 Storage

Refrigerate- place leftover bbq chicken legs in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Freeze—These delicious barbecue chicken drumsticks are freezer-friendly. Place cooled cooked chicken in a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheat- thaw in fridge if frozen and brush lightly with some more bbq sauce. Reheat in the oven or an air fryer until thoroughly heated.

Serve with

• A side of Big Mac Sauce for dipping is perfect with the dummies!
• Need a kick? Try this Sriracha Mayo or Bang Bang Sauce.
• Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables is my go-to recipe to serve for gathering with the family.
• Serve this recipe with classic bbq sides like potato salad. This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is one of our favorite sides.
• Round out your meal with this Black Forest Brownies recipe, a family-favorite dessert full of sweet cherries, fudgy brownies, and velvety Chantilly Cream!

Related Recipes

• Try this BBQ Chicken Sliders for your next summer cookout or potluck. Shredded chicken with delicious bbq sauce all piled with crisp veggies in mouthwatering rolls.
• This is a juicy yet flavorful recipe for Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs in Oven. With endless flavor possibilities, you will never get bored with this delicious recipe, which will suit every taste and occasion.

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