Simple Oven Roasted Chicken Drumsticks

No ratings yet

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

Simple Oven Roasted Chicken Drumsticks made with butter, garlic, herbs, and more. This simple chicken dinner recipe will be on the table in 40 minutes or less, which is perfect for a busy weeknight!

Simple Oven Roasted Chicken Drumsticks made with butter, garlic, herbs, and more. This simple dish will be on the table in 40 minutes or less!

Homemade Oven Roasted Chicken Drumstick Recipe

You all know how I feel about simple, family-friendly dinners that aren’t fussy. I LOVE them. I mean, I have five kids and a life. Sure I love to cook but that doesn’t mean that I don’t ever struggle getting dinner on the table for my people. One thing we all love is a great roasted chicken recipe and this particular recipe is a keeper; I can’t wait for you to try it, too.

How to Make the BEST Chicken Drumsticks

This roasted chicken recipe is super simple. It has things like garlic, rosemary, and lemon in it, but what’s great about it is that none of those are the star of the show. They all work together to produce a really flavorful chicken without any one ingredient really standing out too much. This is one of those basic chicken recipes that you are going to come back to again and again because it’s simple, it turns out every time, your kids will love it, and it’s a great main dish to serve with your favorite sides. It kind of goes with anything and everything (I made notes on side dishes I’d serve this with in the Tips and Tricks section).

I feel like the little trick to this recipe is that you add your garlic and lemons to the pan with the chicken and then add some broth to the pan. The chicken and all of the “aromatics” mingle more because they are in a liquid and the chicken stays more moist. The liquid cooks off and you are left with the most delicious chicken in the end. This simple oven roasted chicken is going to be a stable in your kitchen.

How can I tell if chicken is done without a meat thermometer?

The most accurate way is with a meat thermometer but if you don’t have access to one, the chicken is done when the juices run clear.

Can I make this recipe with drumsticks?

Chicken drumsticks are a great option for this recipe but you can also use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or chicken leg quarters. You just need to adjust the cooking time as needed. Using a thermometer will help ensure the chicken is cooked through (without overcooking).

How can I make the chicken have a bit more flavor?

Adding aromatics like the garlic and lemon slices and a little chicken broth to the pan helps to make the chicken extra flavorful and moist. You are going to love this little trick.

Complete the meal by making any of these:

Image of oven roasted chicken drumsticks
No ratings yet

Simple Oven Roasted Chicken Drumsticks

Simple Oven Roasted Chicken Drumsticks made with butter, garlic, herbs, and more. This simple chicken dinner recipe will be on the table in 40 minutes or less, which is perfect for a busy weeknight!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 5 servings (2 drumsticks each)

Ingredients 

  • 10 chicken drumsticks
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 head of garlic, sliced in half + 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
  • 3 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered
  • 1 cup chicken stock
Save This Recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, mash together the softened butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, and rosemary.
  • Pat dry the drumsticks, then rub half of the butter mixture under the skin of each drumstick and the remaining butter mixture over the top of the skin. Season generously with salt and pepper. Line the drumsticks on the lined baking sheet, leaving a couple inches between drumstick. Lay the lemon slices throughout the baking sheet, followed by the onion, then the halved garlic head.
  • Carefully add the chicken broth to the bottom of the pan and place in the oven to roast for 30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest portion of the drumstick registers 165 degrees and juices are running clear. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 drumsticks, Calories: 279kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 141mg, Sodium: 228mg, Potassium: 459mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 76IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

For more recipes like this check out:

So simple, so delicious, so easy. You’re making this tonight, right?!  Simple Oven Roasted Chicken Drumsticks made with butter, garlic, herbs, and more. This simple dish will be on the table in 40 minutes or less!

This post was originally published in February 2010 and has been updated, revised, and rephotographed in February 2018.

About Melissa

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




3 Comments

  1. Blair says:

    Such a fun meal for the whole family. Kids love drumsticks and the excuse to eat with their hands! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Erin says:

    That looks yummy! I’ve found a few good recipes for chicken thighs since I can get them for such a good deal sometimes.

  3. Rob and Marseille says:

    I love dark meat!!! Yummy in General Tso’s chicken! Buy low had it for boneless/skinless for 89 cents/lb and I can’t wait for that sale to happen again!!