Name: BBQ Chicken Legs in Oven
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 12 chicken drumsticks; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 tsp garlic salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; 1/2 tsp paprika; 1/4 tsp onion powder; 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce or to taste

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These BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are everything you crave—crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. Coated in a simple spice rub and slathered with your favorite BBQ sauce, they’re oven-baked to sweet, smoky perfection. It’s a no-fuss recipe that turns a simple dinner into something downright irresistible and family-approved—everyone will be reaching for seconds!

A serving dish filled with these oven baked barbecue chicken drumsticks with parsley as a garnish

Quick and Easy BBQ Chicken Legs

Let’s be real—everyone loves drumsticks, kids and adults alike! When my kids were growing up, these were a regular on our dinner table. They’re budget-friendly, easy to cook, and incredibly versatile. I played around with this recipe until I found a spice blend that pairs perfectly with BBQ sauce. With just a handful of pantry spices and a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce, you can whip up a dish that feels a little special without a lot of work.

And let’s not forget the best part—watching that BBQ sauce bubble and caramelize in the oven. It’s like a little reward for all that hard work (ha I am not telling on you- this one is easy peasy)! It literally takes 5 minutes to put this one together! Pair these drumsticks with your go-to sides, and you’ve got a comforting, fuss-free (remember the oven does all the work) meal the whole family will love.

Baked BBQ Chicken Legs Ingredients

chicken drumsticks
olive oil
garlic salt
black pepper
cayenne pepper
paprika
onion powder
your favorite BBQ sauce

See, we are KICKING UP THAT BOTTLED BBQ SAUCE with a few SPICES to make it EXTRA DELISH!

How to Make BBQ Chicken Legs in Oven

Get that oven preheated to 400° and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Give it a quick spray with cooking spray.

I like to do this next step in a large bowl. But if you are squeamish about touching that chicken you can totally do this in a ziplock bag. Mix the olive oil, garlic salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper and onion powered together.

Next let give those drums a nice spice bath. Toss them in this mixture to coat.

Place the drumsticks on the baking sheet and pop into the oven for 20 minutes.

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Remove and add the BBQ sauce. Pop back in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. During the last 5 minutes crank the heat up to 450°.

Take out of the oven and enjoy!

Tips for Making the BEST Baked BBQ Chicken Legs

Line that baking sheet with foil! Don’t nobody want a big mess to clean up. This one gets sticky and you will be glad you don’t have to scrub this pan.
Season the chicken and roast it first. By getting those spices in first you add so much more flavor to the chicken. It gets all roasted and delicious. This spice rub is a perfect compliment to the BBQ sauce.
Crank the heat up at the end! This will allow the sauce to get nice and sticky and caramelized. This means extra flavor too!

A plate served with a baked bbq chicken drumstick, white rice, cornbread, and a side salad

What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks pair perfectly with classic sides to complete the meal while keeping it easy. Creamy coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch, while baked mac and cheese brings rich, cheesy comfort. Southern cornbread is a buttery favorite that complements the smoky chicken, and corn on the cob adds a fresh, summery touch. For something hearty, loaded mashed potatoes are perfect for soaking up that delicious BBQ sauce.

Storing and Reheating BBQ Chicken Legs

Make Ahead: You can season the drumsticks in the spice mixture up to 24 hours ahead. Store them in the fridge in a ziplock bag or container until ready to bake.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 375º to keep the skin crisp.
Freezer: Freeze cooked drumsticks for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven.

10 Easy Meals You’ll Want to Feed Your Family

If you love chicken drumsticks, try these Southern oven-fried chicken drumsticks, air fryer chicken legs, or smoked chicken legs.

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Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks made with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, baked juicy and delicious in the oven!

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