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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!
Quick and Easy BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
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.
Ingredients For BBQ Chicken Legs
- 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!
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
- 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
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BBQ Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 12 chicken drumsticks
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp 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.
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Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
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?
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!
Do you remove the skin before cooking?
It’s totally up to you, but I do not.
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!
You are welcome! So glad you all enjoyed it!
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!
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 !
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.
Thank you Christine! I am so glad your family loved it! You picked the perfect sides too!
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.
Thank you! I am so glad that you and your daughter loved it! Easy dinners are a big win!
I’ve got drumsticks in the freezer, guess what we’re having this week! Yum!
Thank you for such a simple but delicious recipe! I love Florida!
You are welcome Ronni! I love Florida too! It’s a wonderful place to live!
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!!
Thank you Lauren! Smoked paprika is always a good idea – great switch out! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Do you recommend the same cooking time for larger drumsticks?
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.
So easy and reliable, not to mention delicious! This will be my only recipe for bbq chicken from now on. Thank you!
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
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!
You have made my day Abby! Knowing your family enjoys this is the best compliment ever! We like them crispy too!
Hi, I was just wondering if this is for a fan force or conventional oven.
Thanks
I have made in a conventional oven and convection oven as well. Works for both.
Tried this recipe , DELICIOUS! My boyfriend enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks for the recipe !:)
Thank you Bianca! I am so glad you both enjoyed it! Happy New Year to you!
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
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.
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
My family loves white rice and corn on the cob or green beans with this!
So delicious I made it once and everyone loved it!
Thank you so much Mirsada! Thank makes my day! Everyone enjoying a dish is the best compliment!
Did you remove the skin on the legs before baking?
This recipes works well either way. So use whichever your have on hand or prefer. Enjoy!
I am testing out this recipe now. Should I cover the chicken with foil or just leave it open . ?
Bake this one uncovered.
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?
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.
Finger licking good ??