This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Oven-Fried Chicken legs are dipped in an egg wash and dredged in a spice-infused panko breadcrumb mixture to create the most finger-licking good Panko Crusted Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks you have ever eaten.
My husband calls this Out of Control Chicken! Yes, he thinks it is that good! I love when something so simple makes him happy! This recipe is easy, quick, and won’t leave a hole in your wallet either!
This chicken really is AMAZING y’all and it really cooks so fast! Using the drumsticks allow for so much flavor and the meat is tender! Who would have thunk that simple ole drumsticks could be so delicious!
Why You’ll Love These Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks
- Amazingly delicious: This recipe always gets rave reviews whether it’s a family dinner or I serve it to company!
- Versatile: I often make oven fried chicken with drumsticks, but thighs or breasts work well too. Whatever you use will give you the most flavorful panko fried chicken ever.
- Economical: Using drumsticks is a great way to feed the family for less and not skimp on taste!
You will find this deliciousness much more often at my house now that my daughter has moved out. She is a no bone-in meat kinda girl. She entertained the thought of no meat all at one time! I almost felt like a failure as a mother lol! Just kidding. But anywho, I used to always have to make her a plain ole chicken breast (it’s really delish too) whenever we ate something so wild as this!
Ingredients For Oven Fried Chicken Legs
- Chicken Drumsticks (legs)
- Panko Breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Water
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Spices (Salt, Pepper, Oregano, Paprika, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder)
- Olive Oil
How to Make Southern Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks
Now y’all get ready for all the hard steps in this recipe (WINK WINK). Not really this is so easy you will be wondering why you haven’t been making this all your life!
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
STEP 1 | Prepare skillet or baking dish
Preheat oven to 425 °.
Place butter in the cast iron or oven safe skillet (You can use a baking dish if you want).
Take the skillet or dish and place it in the oven to melt butter while you coat the chicken. You can also do this on the stovetop. That is how I start my skillet cornbread, too!
STEP 2 | Dip in egg wash
Get out two shallow dishes. A pie plate or baking dish works well. Today I just used two 9 X 9 baking dishes. You know what I grabbed first out of the cabinet!
Whisk together the egg and water.
Get those chicken legs all coated in this bath. This prepares them for grabbing onto all those breadcrumbs and holding on.
STEP 3 | Dredge in panko parmesan spice mixture
In the other dish combine your breadcrumbs with the Parmesan cheese and all those delicious spices. Kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and wait – Oregano you ready for this deliciousness?
I know I am terrible at jokes!! But, I’m joking about how good this is.
STEP 4 | Bake and enjoy
Remove heated pan with all that melted butter from the oven.
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Soulfully Made.
Place chicken in (not touching)! They don’t like that. This keeps everything nice and open and ready to get crispy.
Drizzle the olive oil on top. I don’t measure, just a drizzle to make them sizzle! Cook for 25 minutes and then flip and cook for 20 minutes!
I like to sprinkle mine when they come out with a little parsley for color! Perfect Oven Fried Chicken
Variations of Oven Fried Drumsticks
While I think this is the perfect flavor combination if you want to try other spice combinations, here are a few suggestions:
- Spicy Baked Chicken: Add a little chili powder or red pepper flakes to the mix.
- Lemon Garlic Baked Chicken: Lemon pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- BBQ Fried Chicken: BBQ rub, kosher salt, and pepper. You can even add a dash of liquid smoke to the egg wash for more smokiness.
- Other cuts of chicken: You can substitute, chicken breasts or thighs – boneless or bone-in. Chicken wings will also work for this as well.
Tips For Making Breaded Chicken Legs
- Using a bone-in chicken helps keep the chicken moist. However, you can use a boneless chicken with good results.
- Make sure to coat the chicken well with the crumb mixture. Turn it over while coating and cover all sides.
- Use a cast-iron skillet if you have it. It will cook more evenly and also helps achieve that crispy oven-baked chicken you are looking for.
- Leave space around the chicken for the heat to bake on all sides. This gives you a crunchier chicken.
- Flip the chicken carefully when turning. This keeps the crust in tack. You don’t want to lose any of the crunch!
What to serve with these Oven Fried Drumsticks
Here are a few perfect side dishes that would complement the crispy, fried chicken legs:
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes – A classic side that balances the crunch of the drumsticks with its smooth, buttery texture. Add a little garlic for extra flavor.
- Roasted Vegetables – Light and colorful roasted veggies like green beans, broccoli and Brussels sprouts provide a healthy, vibrant contrast.
- Coleslaw – A tangy and refreshing side that cuts through the richness of the chicken, offering a nice crunch and lightness.
- Macaroni and Cheese – For an indulgent pairing, creamy mac ‘n cheese is always a winner. The crispy panko on the chicken and the creamy pasta are a dream team. I have a creamy or baked mac and cheese version to choose from.
- Cornbread – Sweet or savory, cornbread makes a comforting, Southern-style match to your drumsticks.
- Salad – Keep it light with a fresh garden salad or opt for something more hearty like a Caesar salad to balance the meal.
- Baked Beans – For a more Southern BBQ vibe, baked beans offer a sweet and smoky complement to the fried chicken.
- Bread – Serve up some crispy, buttery garlic bread or a fresh homemade dinner roll for a satisfying side that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
These pairings would round out your meal beautifully while keeping everything simple and family-friendly!
Storing and reheating Breaded Chicken Drumsticks
Storing
- Refrigerator: Once the drumsticks have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container. You can stack them with parchment paper in between to prevent the coating from getting soggy. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: To freeze, lay the cooled drumsticks on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze them for 1-2 hours, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. This helps maintain the crispy coating. They’ll last in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheating in the oven or air fryer will keep the coating crunchy and delicious, just like when they were first made!
- Oven (Best method for crispiness):
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Place the drumsticks on a wire rack over a baking sheet to allow airflow around them.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through and crispy again.
- Air Fryer (Quick option for crispiness):
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Reheat for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until they are hot and crispy.
- Microwave (Not recommended for crispiness):
- If you’re in a rush, you can microwave the drumsticks for 2-3 minutes, but the coating may get soggy.
FAQ’s
Panko bread crumbs are Japanese-style bread crumbs made from white bread and processed into a larger flake rather than a small crumb, then it is dried. This results in a lighter, airier bread crumb that absorbs less grease and stays crunchy and crispy. Perfect for panko crusted chicken!
Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts: Cook 20 minutes, turn over, and cook an additional 20 minutes.
Bone-in Skin-on Chicken Breasts: Cook 30 minutes, turn and cook an additional 20 minutes.
Chicken Wings: Cook 15 minutes, turn over, and cook 15 more minutes.
Just keep in mind cook times will vary depending on the size of the chicken. This is a good rule of thumb. You can always test the chicken’s doneness by using an instant-read thermometer internal temperature of 165°. Also, juices will run clear when the chicken is done.
I really love the butter for the base in cooking these oven-fried chicken legs. I have tried vegetable oil and it will work, while the butter really gives you the best results for flavor. I do drizzle the top with olive oil. However, you can use melted butter for this step too.
More Chicken Recipes
- Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken
- Skillet Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
- Alice Springs Chicken
- Cheddar Chicken Casserole
- Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
- Cashew Chicken Casserole by Norine’s Nest
- Carolina Gold BBQ Grilled Chicken by Julias Simply Southern
More from Soulfully Made
Helpful Kitchen Items for this recipe:
DISCLOSURE ~ If a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you! This helping to keep making new free recipes for you!
Hungry for more easy, home-cooked, delicious recipes?
Sign up for my free recipe club to get family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Oven Fried Panko Crusted Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp oregano, dried
- olive oil to drizzle on top of chicken
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place butter in cast iron or oven safe skillet and put in oven to melt. (This can be done on stove top as well)
- In a shallow dish whisk one egg and water together.
- In another shallow dish combine panko crumbs, parmesan, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and oregano.
- Dip the drumsticks first in the egg mixture and then in the panko, pressing to mixture into drumsticks to coat on all sides.
- Place drumsticks into the skillet of melted butter. Drizzle the drumsticks with olive oil.
- Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes, turn chicken and bake for 20 mote minutes.
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Soulfully Made.
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
I made this last night. I was skeptical of the high temperature for so long a time but I said to myself “Greg, just follow the recipe”. It was awesome, super tender inside and nice and crisp on the outside. I would make this for a dinner party with summer sides…..and make more!.last night I had it with black beans and rice, super good. A total keeper………..
Thank you so much Greg!
Made this last night and my family LOVED it! SO flavourful! Definitely the best panko chicken recipe by far! Thank you!!
Thank you Cindy! I am so glad you all enjoyed it!
Great flavours! I baked the drumsticks in an air fryer. They turned out beautifully crispy.
Thank you Kamilia! I am glad you enjoyed them! They are one of my family’s favorite meals!
Absolutely wonderful recipe! My husband devoured the drumsticks and thought they were fried. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Jennifer! I am so glad you loved them and that the hubby was happy! Mine loves these too!
Yum! I made this for dinner today. Only change I did was cooked it at 400 in the oven. It was very delicious. Husband loves it. Chicken was crispy. Husband thought it was fried chicken until I told him it was baked. He was surprised how good it tasted. This recipe is a keeper. Thanks! Will make this again.
Thank you so much Amy! I am so glad it was a hit with your hubby (even though it is oven baked)! Mine was surprised as well!
My family LOVED these!! We will be putting them in our regular rotation!
These were excellent! I love that they were made in the oven and I thought the Parmesan cheese was a great addition!
I am a huge fan of chicken wings and the boys usually take all the drumsticks but with this crispy coating I am buying all drumsticks so I get some!
Usually not a fan of oven baked chicken…changing my mind with this recipe. Fabulous! I added a little cayenne to my panko along with the other spices…definitely a do-over for me. Thanks for the recipe.
I am glad you are an oven baked fan now! That makes my heart glad! You are so welcome and thank you for stopping by to let me know you enjoyed them!
I made this and it is the best chicken I have ever tasted!! I am going to make it again, but with chicken breast. I hope it turns out the same!!
Thank you so much Deanna! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Hi!! Can I do this with parboiled wings? If so, what’s the cooking time difference
I am sorry I have not tested these with parboiling them first.
Love these drum sticks!! One of my go to recipes. It’s so easy to make and it always comes out perfect! Thank you!
Thank you so much Kristin! I am so glad you enjoy it. It’s my husband favorite!
I love this chicken. I used to use shake and bake a lot before I found this recipe and I have to say, I don’t think I will ever buy it again. I made it and it turned out perfect in every way. Whenever I did shake and bake, it would always overcook slightly, meaning the skin would be harder and the meat would be a little dry. But, the skin turned out perfect and the meat turned out nice and juicy. I don’t think I’ve ever had chicken this juicy! Thank you. Now, here’s a thought. Have you ever tried doing barbecue seasonings in the breadcrumbs?
Thank you so much Jon! I have not tried with BBQ seasonings! That sounds pretty tasty! I need to try that!
Do you think this would work if I skin the drumsticks first? Really trying to not eat that much skin. And want the crunchy
It may turn out slightly less crispy than with skin, but the egg bath will help the panko stick and it will be delicious.
This is my go-to chicken recipe when I don’t want a lot of effort and fuss. The spices really being out the flavors and cleanup is quick and easy. Thank you!
Thank you Chris! Easy recipes make for delicious weeknight dinners!
So yummy! Best chicken drumstick recipe I have tried! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! I am thrilled you enjoyed them as much as we do <3
This recipe was good except my breading mostly came off during baking. Which is a bummer. Any tips?
Not sure what happened there. It usually sticks great for me. Make sure they are coated good with the egg wash.
Great, delicious oven fried chicken with no mess on the stove. Did oven fried steak fries at the same time and serve with salad. Excellent recipe!
Thank you Anibal! It’s a favorite go to meal on our table. Oven fries and salad go perfectly with this! I am so glad you loved it!
Making this for dinner tonight!!!!so excited it’s already smelling GOOOD!
I hope you loved it Sabrina! It is a family favorite at my house! <3
I made this the other night and it was incredible!!! I had 14 large drumsticks so doubled the recipe and it worked out perfect. We have 3 picky eaters, ages 6, 9 & 11, and this is one of the first meals in a long time that everyone ate and didn’t complain about wanting something else. These were so incredibly easy to make and were so juicy the kids kept having to wipe their chins as they were eating. My husband and I loved them and probably had more than we should have. We had a couple left over so reheated them the next day and they were still just as good. This recipe is definitely a keeper in my kitchen!
Thank you so much Jill! My heart is full of joy hearing this! It is a family favorite for us too!
I can’t download the drumstick Panko recipe. How do I do it?
Carolyn,
You should see a print button on the recipe box itself. Click on the button and it should bring it up automatically. I just did a quick test to make sure it worked for me. Please let me know if you still are having an issue. I can walk you through another way that may work too.
I am sorry I am just getting this to you. My son had senior prom this weekend, so I was away for a while preparing, taking pictures and the a few parents got together for dinner and a movie.
Nikki