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    Home » Main Dish » Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

    Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

    Nikki Lee Published:January 15, 2019 | Updated: August 17, 2021

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    Recipe Save Saved!

    Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks made with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, baked juicy and delicious in the oven! These DRUMS are a simple family favorite perfect for an easy weeknight meal, but yummy enough for Sunday Dinner. AND after all they are finger lickin' good y'all!

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

    From elementary through high school, my kids schedules kept us on our toes. We ran, ran, and ran a little bit more almost every single day. From dance lessons, to little league, the golf course to church activities - we were ALWAYS a very BUSY FAMILY! 

    I can say life sure has changed and while I am so enjoying this stage in life, there are days my soul longs for those days again. My house and heart was always full during that stage. Now I have amazing adult children and wonderful memories to cherish.

    This is ONE thing has not changed. I still need QUICK and DELICIOUS DINNERS to put on the table.  I am still very busy but in different ways. My 18 year son still lives at home and he needs to be fed. I guess the hubby does too. They both are big meat eaters and enjoy a home cooked meal. 

    And those meals can be amazingly tasty and easy at the same time. This CHICKEN DINNER is always a finger lickin' WIN at the SOULFULLY MADE HOME!

    What you need for perfect Oven Baked BBQ CHICKEN

    • 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!

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

    How to make Juicy Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

    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. 

    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!

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

    KEY STEPS for the BEST BBQ Chicken in the OVEN

    • 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

    10 EASY MEALS you will want to feed your FAMILY

    • Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Skillet
    • Oven Fried Panko Crusted Chicken Drumsticks
    • Slow Cooker Cheesy Pesto Chicken Pasta
    • Ground Beef Doritos Casserole
    • Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole
    • Easy Chicken Pot Pie
    • Instant Pot Beef Tips (Pressure Cooker Beef Tips)
    • Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
    • Cheesy Unstuffed Pepper Skillet
    • Easy Baked Stuffed Shells
    A serving dish filled with these oven baked barbecue chicken drumsticks with parsley as a garnish

    Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

    Author: Nikki Lee - Soulfully Made
    4.54 from 115 votes
    Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks made with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, baked juicy and delicious in the oven!
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Drumsticks
    Calories

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 chicken drumsticks
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce or to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400ᵒ and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Spray foil with cooking spray.
    • In a large bowl or ziplock bag mix olive oil, garlic salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and onion powder together. Coat drumsticks in mixture.
    • Place drumsticks on foil lined baking sheet and bake chicken for 20 minutes.
    • Remove from oven. Using a silicone brush, coat chicken with BBQ sauce and bake at 400ᵒ another 20 to 25 minutes (or until the chicken is done 165ᵒ) turning the heat up to 450ᵒ the last 5 minutes to caramelize. Cooking times vary based on size of drumsticks.
    • Remove from oven and serve.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
    Slow Cooker BBQ Little Smokies »
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    Comments

    1. Jennifer Sorensen says

      May 15, 2022 at 10:10 pm

      5 stars
      Earned all the stars!!!! First of all it was so easy to make…Thevyummy taste won my whole family over. Definitely a new family favorite.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        May 25, 2022 at 4:04 pm

        Thank you so much, Jennifer! Love easy meals that make the family happy!

        Reply
    2. Julie says

      May 03, 2022 at 9:30 am

      5 stars
      It was an easy weeknight meal but more importantly delicious. This will definitely be made again and again.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        May 17, 2022 at 12:47 pm

        Thank you, Julie! I am so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    3. Lindsay says

      January 13, 2022 at 9:47 am

      Could you split the cooking times?
      Could I bake the first 20 mins and then place in the refrigerator until we are ready to eat the next day and then bake the last 20 mins?

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        January 13, 2022 at 1:22 pm

        I haven't tested that, but it should work. Just keep in mind it will be starting cold so you may need a little more time the next day!

        Reply
    4. Cindy Gaither says

      July 27, 2021 at 11:18 am

      Do you remove the skin before cooking?

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        August 03, 2021 at 9:01 am

        It's totally up to you, but I do not.

        Reply
    5. Andrea says

      January 10, 2021 at 7:39 pm

      I made this tonight for dinner and my husband loved it as did my two picky teens. I used Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ sauce. Also, my drumsticks were still a bit frozen in the center and were rather large but your cooking time was perfect! Thank you for sharing your recipe!

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        January 30, 2021 at 2:18 pm

        You are welcome! So glad you all enjoyed it!

        Reply
    6. Carrie says

      October 21, 2020 at 6:21 pm

      These came out amazing. $2.50 of chicken and all ingredients I had in my pantry and voila! A dinner my kiddos loved and so did I! Also so simple to assemble after work. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        October 22, 2020 at 4:13 pm

        Thank you Carrie! That's a great deal on chicken and makes for an easy, delicious and inexpensive meal! A big win on a busy week night! I appreciate you stopping by !

        Reply
    7. Christine @ myblissfulmess says

      August 24, 2020 at 8:15 am

      I was craving some summer BBQ flavors so when I found this recipe, I had to make it! The kids and I loved it. It’s so easy and so yummy! I served it up with fresh corn on the cob and homemade coleslaw.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        September 11, 2020 at 3:35 pm

        Thank you Christine! I am so glad your family loved it! You picked the perfect sides too!

        Reply
    8. L. Rodriguez says

      July 10, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      Needed a quick dinner fix, tried this dish and it was a hit! My daughter who is a finicky eater loved it. I made two batches, one BBQ flavor and the second Buffalo Wing. My daughter who can be a finicky eater loved both, she even asked if I would make them again. for dinner the next evening. Fast and easy recipe, thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        July 20, 2020 at 4:50 pm

        Thank you! I am so glad that you and your daughter loved it! Easy dinners are a big win!

        Reply
    9. chellie says

      May 04, 2020 at 9:53 am

      I've got drumsticks in the freezer, guess what we're having this week! Yum!

      Reply
    10. Ronni says

      April 01, 2020 at 8:47 am

      Thank you for such a simple but delicious recipe! I love Florida!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        April 04, 2020 at 12:15 pm

        You are welcome Ronni! I love Florida too! It's a wonderful place to live!

        Reply
      • Lauren says

        April 28, 2020 at 11:20 pm

        Made this tonight because the hubs loves BBQ drumsticks. This recipe is a winner!! I just let the chicken marinate for like 6-8 hours and subbed smoked paprika for the paprika (just because I always do, mmm!). So easy and delicious!!

        Reply
        • Nikki says

          May 11, 2020 at 12:04 pm

          Thank you Lauren! Smoked paprika is always a good idea - great switch out! I am so glad you enjoyed it!

    11. Lindsey says

      March 29, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      Do you recommend the same cooking time for larger drumsticks?

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        March 30, 2020 at 3:51 pm

        Lindsey, mine were pretty meaty drumsticks. Not drummettes. You can test with a meat thermometer to be sure they are 165 degrees or check one and put back in if need be.

        Reply
    12. Anna says

      March 20, 2020 at 3:57 pm

      So easy and reliable, not to mention delicious! This will be my only recipe for bbq chicken from now on. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        March 25, 2020 at 1:15 pm

        Thank you Anna! I love easy recipes and try to mostly keep things simple around here! These are so perfect for busy nights! Glad that you enjoyed them and will be making them again and again

        Reply
    13. Abby B. says

      January 21, 2020 at 4:51 pm

      I am now making this a 3rd time for my family in a month ? Even my 4yr old & 20 month old LOVE IT! At the end I like to broil it to get it a little more crisp! Yum!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        January 22, 2020 at 9:45 am

        You have made my day Abby! Knowing your family enjoys this is the best compliment ever! We like them crispy too!

        Reply
    14. Abby says

      January 16, 2020 at 7:36 pm

      Hi, I was just wondering if this is for a fan force or conventional oven.
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        January 17, 2020 at 8:19 am

        I have made in a conventional oven and convection oven as well. Works for both.

        Reply
    15. Bianca says

      January 01, 2020 at 10:08 pm

      Tried this recipe , DELICIOUS! My boyfriend enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks for the recipe !:)

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        January 02, 2020 at 12:43 pm

        Thank you Bianca! I am so glad you both enjoyed it! Happy New Year to you!

        Reply
    16. Zach says

      November 19, 2019 at 9:04 pm

      My name is Zach I did your Recipe exactly the way you wrote it All three of my kids loved it including me do you have a recipe for sweet chicken drumsticks

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        November 27, 2019 at 8:06 am

        Hi Zach. Thank you so much. It puts a smile on my face to know your family enjoyed. I don't have one up on the blog, but I will work on getting one up after Thanksgiving. I have one my family loves.

        Reply
    17. Gerard says

      September 17, 2019 at 8:11 am

      Hi Nikki I'm looking to cook bbq chicken drumsticks in a slow cooker, could you advise what to cook with them ie veg or rice and what type.
      Regards
      Gerard

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        November 18, 2019 at 11:38 am

        My family loves white rice and corn on the cob or green beans with this!

        Reply
    18. Mirsada says

      August 19, 2019 at 8:44 pm

      So delicious I made it once and everyone loved it!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        August 20, 2019 at 11:16 am

        Thank you so much Mirsada! Thank makes my day! Everyone enjoying a dish is the best compliment!

        Reply
    19. Joann says

      June 26, 2019 at 3:00 pm

      Did you remove the skin on the legs before baking?

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        July 08, 2019 at 6:23 am

        This recipes works well either way. So use whichever your have on hand or prefer. Enjoy!

        Reply
    20. Crystal says

      February 23, 2019 at 10:46 am

      I am testing out this recipe now. Should I cover the chicken with foil or just leave it open . ?

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        February 25, 2019 at 2:11 am

        Bake this one uncovered.

        Reply
    21. Jim says

      January 18, 2019 at 4:24 pm

      On the Baked BBQ chicken drumsticks recipe, step 4 is confusing because oven startys out at 400 and recipe says to turn up to 400. Was it supposed to be lower to begin with?

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        January 19, 2019 at 9:59 am

        Jim - sorry about that. Here is what it should read and I have corrected it - Remove from oven. Using a silicone brush,coat chicken with BBQ sauce and bake at 400ᵒ another 20 to 25 minutes (or until the chicken is done 165ᵒ) turning the heat up to 450ᵒ the last 5 minutes to caramelize. Cooking times vary based on size of drumsticks.

        Reply
    22. Julia Jordan says

      January 15, 2019 at 4:42 pm

      Finger licking good ??

      Reply

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    Hi, I am Nikki. Faith, family, and food are my passions! I'm a Southern cook from Florida who loves sharing food and creating memories around the table with my family and friends. Welcome to my Kitchen where you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes!

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