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BBQ chicken drumsticks lined up on a white platter with small bowls of BBQ sauce and dry rub beside it.
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Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

An easy-peasy, flavorful baked chicken drumstick recipe. You can have BBQ Chicken Drumsticks without grilling or frying. Just bake, baste, broil and enjoy! We even teach you how to turn this into a make-ahead freezer meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Chicken
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baked BBQ Drumsticks
Servings: 6 servings (2 drumsticks per serving)
Calories: 341kcal
Author: Polly Conner

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken drumsticks
  • 1 1/2 cups BBQ Sauce

Instructions

  • Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe baking/cooling rack on top. Spray the rack with cooking spray.
  • Make the Rub: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
  • Season Chicken: Pat dry the drumsticks and then coat the drumsticks evenly with the mixture. Place the drumsticks on the baking rack.
  • Bake: Bake drumsticks for 25 minutes.
  • Baste #1: Remove the chicken from the oven, baste with the BBQ sauce on all sides, and bake for another 7-8 minutes.
  • Baste #2: Repeat the basting step, and bake another 7-8 minutes.
  • Baste #3 + Increase Temp: Remove pan and baste with sauce one last time. Turn up the oven temp to 425°F. Cook the chicken 5-7 more minutes or until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F or are no longer pink inside at all.
    (Optional: Broil at the end to caramelize the drumsticks even more, if you want it.)
  • Cool: Let them sit for at least 10 minutes before eating. Serve with extra BBQ Sauce on the side.

Video

Notes

  • We use this same rub and BBQ sauce in our Instant Pot and Crockpot BBQ Drumsticks.
  • You can also use this rub and our BBQ sauce on chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Cook in the slow cooker on Low for 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours or in the Instant Pot for 7 minutes with a quick release. Shred and serve on buns for easy BBQ chicken sandwiches.
  • We get our chicken from ButcherBox.

Nutrition

Serving: 2drumsticks | Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 1232mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g