These delicious, easy to make baked BBQ chicken drumsticks are perfect for a busy weekday dinner.
Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
The best part about these baked bbq chicken drumsticks is that they’re super easy and you don’t need a grill to make them.

Most bbq chicken recipes I see require a grill. Not this one!
They can be made right in the oven and are incredibly delicious.

These drumsticks are loaded with all that great bbq sauce flavor without needing an actual bbq.
I just pop them in the oven and they’re baked to perfection.

These bbq drumsticks are a family favorite recipe at my house.
This is such a great busy weekday dinner recipe. It’s easy to make and has so much flavor.

That’s exactly what I’m looking for when the day is crazy and I need to get dinner on the table.
I know if you try this one you’ll love it, too.
What sides go with baked BBQ chicken drumsticks?
There are so many sides that would go perfectly with these bbq drumsticks.
The options are endless and completely up to you.

I personally think something like Shells & Cheese, Oven Roasted Potatoes or Garlic Parmesan Fries would be amazing.
Maybe even some Homemade Garlic Bread!

As for vegetables, Roasted Broccoli is usually my go to side dish.
Choose whatever you’d like. These drumsticks so great with everything.
Do I have to remove the skin?
We’ll yes and no.
I personally think this recipe is at its best with the skin removed.

The BBQ sauce doesn’t really crisp the skin and it gets soggy and slimy.
Not great in my opinion.

Baking the chicken without the skin really let’s the meat get nice and flavorful while it’s baking.
I’d highly recommend removing it.
Do I have to use drumsticks?
Nope you can use other cuts of chicken if you’d like for this recipe.
Skinless chicken thighs are a great option here, too.

I bet chicken breasts would work also.
Just be mindful to adjust cooking times and make sure the internal temperature of the meat is 165°.
What BBQ sauce brand should I use?
I love Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce so that’s what I used here for this recipe.

Use any brand of bbq sauce you’d like. Homemade would be just fine, too.
Can I add more seasoning?
I kept the seasoning simple for this recipe and used only salt and pepper.
That’s just my preference.

I think a simple seasoning like that goes so well with the bbq sauce.
I really want to taste all of that bbq sauce flavor.

If you’d like to add more seasoning, be my guest. It’s completely up to you and what you prefer.
Season it how you’d like and enjoy!
Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients:

- Chicken Drumsticks
- BBQ Sauce
- Olive oil
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
First, remove the skin from the drumsticks.

Set them down on a parchment paper or tin foil liked baking sheet.

Then drizzle them with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper.

Make sure to rub the seasoning into the meat so it’s evenly coated.
Next bake the chicken for 40 minutes at 375°.

After that, spread a thick layer of bbq sauce on all sides of the chicken.

Then turn up the oven temperature to 425° and bake the drumsticks for 5 minutes.

Now add another thick layer of bbq sauce and bake them for another 5 minutes.

Let them cool slightly before serving and enjoy.

Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe Video
Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- baking sheet
- parchment paper/ tin foil
Ingredients
- 1-2 pounds Chicken Drumsticks
- 2 tbs Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup BBQ Sauce add more bbq sauce if you need to
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
- Remove the skin from the drumsticks and place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Drizzle them with olive oil and generously season them with salt and pepper
- Rub the seasoning into the meat and bake them for 40 minutes
- Then turn the oven up to 425 degrees and brush the drumsticks with a thick layer of BBQ sauce on all sides. Bake them for 5 minutes
- Spread another thick layer of BBQ sauce on all sides and bake them again for another 5 minutes.
- Let them cool slightly and serve warm