Drumstick Chicken Recipe: The Secret to the Crispiest, Juiciest Weeknight Hero
Discover a foolproof, family-friendly baked drumstick chicken recipe with incredibly crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat—ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Dry Rub:
- 8-10 chicken drumsticks about 3-3.5 lbs / {1.4-1.6 kg}
- 2 tablespoons olive oil 30 ml
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 7 g
- 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 g
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder 4 g
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika 4 g
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano 1 g
- ½ teaspoon onion powder 1 g
For the Optional Glaze:
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey 30 ml
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari 15 ml
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- Step 1: Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment and place a wire rack on top. Pat the chicken drumsticks completely dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: Make the Dry Rub: In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, and onion powder.
- Step 3: Season the Chicken: Place dried drumsticks in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the dry rub mixture over the chicken and use your hands to massage it onto every surface.
- Step 4: Arrange for Baking: Place the seasoned drumsticks on the prepared wire rack, ensuring they are not touching.
- Step 5: Initial Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
- Step 6: Prepare & Apply Glaze (Optional): While chicken bakes, whisk together maple syrup, soy sauce, and minced garlic. After 35 minutes, remove chicken from oven and brush each drumstick generously with the glaze.
- Step 7: Final Bake: Return the tray to the oven and bake for an additional 8-12 minutes, or until the skin is deeply golden, crisp, and the internal temperature reaches 175°F (80°C).
- Step 8: Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest on the pan for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
For the crispiest skin, do not skip drying the chicken. If you don't have a wire rack, bake directly on the pan but flip halfway through. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.