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Enjoy this healthier baked alternative to fried chicken, by following these simple steps for Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven!
A Healthy Twist to Love!
We are huge fans of chicken wings and drumsticks! We eat a lot of chicken recipes in general, but wings are the perfect appetizer or a finger-licking main dish.
Chicken drumsticks in oven have all of that crispy flavor with less guilt, just like our Baked Chicken Fingers!
Why we love these:
- Crispy! The batter coating the chicken is light, tasty, and just perfect enough to make you lick your fingers.
- Healthier option. The best part is that it tastes just like Kentucky Fried Chicken but they’re not fried at all – they’re BAKED!!
- Easy. These drumsticks require few ingredients and minimal prep time for an easy dinner idea the kids are going to love!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 45 minutes
- 2-3 tablespoons unsalted butter – helps the chicken bake up golden brown and delicious as well as keeps the chicken from sticking to the dish.
- ¾ cup Bisquick mix – Bisquick contains fat, flour, leavening, and seasonings that allow it to crisp up nicely when cooked.
- 1½ teaspoons paprika
- 1¼ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper – add more flavor by adding spices like garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, or a favorite seasoning blend
- 3 pounds chicken drumsticks (chicken legs) – You can use other cuts of chicken but adjust the baking times and temperature.
- spray butter – using spray butter makes it easier to coat the chicken, but you can also brush on melted butter.
Other Cuts of Chicken
Easily substitute other cuts, just adjust the bake times. Bake until the juices run clear. If you have a meat thermometer, check the internal temperature reaches 165°F
- boneless chicken thighs: 400°F oven for about 20 minutes
- bone-in thighs: 425°F for about 40 minutes
- boneless chicken breasts: 400°F oven for about 20 minutes
- bone-in breasts: 375°F for about 35 minutes
- bone-in chicken wings: 400°F oven for about 45 minutes
How To Make Chicken Drumsticks in Oven
- PREP. Preheat oven to 425°F. Melt 2-3 tablespoons butter in a 9×13 baking dish in the oven. (For easy clean up, line the cooking pan with aluminum foil.)
- BATTER. While butter is melting, stir ¾ cup Bisquick, 1½ teaspoons paprika, 1¼ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Coat each chicken drumstick and place in the baking dish with melted butter.
- Coat with butter before baking and once during baking.
- BAKE. Bake for 30 minutes, flip, and bake an additional 15-25 minutes. ENJOY!!
PRO TIP: For Crispy Skin
The chicken skin covers one side of the drumstick more the the other side. For the crispiest skin, start baking with the skin side down, then flip halfway so the skin side is up during the remainder of the baking time. You can also broil it for a minute or two before removing it from the oven.
Complete the Meal
- Side dishes: Roasted Broccoli, Easy Coleslaw, Homemade Mac and Cheese.
- Desserts: Strawberry Shortcake, Mud Pie, Lemon Sheet Cake
- More chicken dishes: Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Fried Chicken Breast Recipe, Baked Ranch Chicken
More collections: Chicken Breast Recipes, Chicken Dinner Ideas, Healthy Dinner Ideas
Chicken Drumsticks in Oven
Video
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup Bisquick mix
- 1½ teaspoons paprika
- 1¼ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 3 pounds chicken drumsticks, chicken legs
- spray butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- While butter is melting, stir ¾ cup Bisquick, 1½ teaspoons paprika, 1¼ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Coat each chicken drumstick and place in the baking dish with melted butter.
- Coat with butter before baking and once during baking.
- Bake for 30 minutes, flip, and bake an additional 15-25 minutes. ENJOY!!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
How to Store Chicken Drumsticks in oven recipe?
- Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to Freeze?
- Place in a freezer-safe Ziploc or container and store for 4-6 months.
- To reheat, place baked chicken drumsticks on a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, heat for 45 seconds flip and heat for 45 seconds more. To heat in the oven place the chicken in an oven-safe dish. Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly coat the chicken with olive oil, and heat uncovered for 25 minutes.
For More Baked Chicken Recipes:
Baked Chicken Fingers
35 mins
Baked Chicken Wings
30 mins
How to Bake Chicken
35 mins
Baked Chicken Nuggets
35 mins
Adapted from bettycrocker.com.
Just made these Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven and they were great! So easy to follow the steps, and it’s a healthier alternative to fried chicken.
These come out so perfect and juicy every time! My kids devour them and they are so easy to prepare.
My kids always fight over the drumsticks, so they were thrilled with this dinner! It was super easy to make and everyone gobbled it down, right down to the toddler. I’ll be making this again for sure!
They love it
This recipe is so simple and the results are delicious. My only mistake was removing the skin, next time I’m leaving it. You weren’t kidding when you said the drumsticks taste like KFC neither.
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed the drumsticks! KFC from home, right? 😉 Thanks for your response!
It is great they love it
So glad to hear that!!
A family favorite! We call it Fire Alarm Chicken cause the popping butter has set off our fire alarm a few times. To avoid that now I heat the pan in the oven, then remove it and add the butter to the hot pan.
Haha! I love that name you guys have given it. Glad to hear it never started a real fire. 😉
Two different temperatures are listed for the drumsticks( 450 before the recipe + 425 in the recipe). Also the cooking times for alternative chicken pieces seem way off. Example: Cooking a large breast piece at a lower heat than the drumsticks and for a mere 20 minutes ? ! ? Can you confirm or correct, please.
I actually cook whole skinless chicken breasts for my dog I cook about 10 pounds on a half sheet at 450 degrees for 26 minutes and they come out perfect every time. That’s like two family packs from Walmart although recently conditions have made me go to a different grocery store which offered Tyson and I don’t think that Tyson puts as much fluid in their chicken breasts and they came out even better. So I was here on this website to see if cooking drumsticks was any different and didn’t really get a clear answer.
Yes I made these awsome chic legs they were the bomb,
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed them!!
Can’t find the video
The video appears underneath the “Delicious and More Healthy” heading in the post. It should also appear on the side of the website as you scroll down. An ad may play first, but the video should play right after. 🙂
Fantastic recipe! I bake these in a roaster-type pan, covered in foil at 350 for 2 hours, rotating the legs after an hour. At the end of baking time, I uncover them and turn the temp up to 400 for 10 minutes or until brown and crispy! Soooo delicious! Thank you for this recipe 🙂
You are so welcome! Thanks so much for sharing what you do! I’m so happy they turned out so well!
This is soooooo stinkin’ GOOD!!!! I alWays Make extra bc the leftovers are even better!!! This is a regular at my house now. Easy & delicious!!!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing that! I am happy you like them!
Bake at 425 or 450? The written INSTRUCTIONS are different from the recipe instructions at the bottom.
425 degrees
total hit with the entire family! Paired this with some Mac n’ cheese and green beans. Even my oldest son who’s my picky eater enjoyed it and even asked for seconds. Recipe is super easy to prepare and clean up is a snap as well. I didn’t have bisquick so i substituted krusteaz pancake mix. my family requested i add this to my recipe rotation.
That sounds like a yummy meal! Thank you so much for sharing that!
Great thanks
You are so welcome! Thank you for stopping by!
unless I’m missing this info, is the skin left on or removed? many thanks!
It is on, but whatever you prefer 🙂
I dont have butter spray i have canola spray. Can i use that in ?
Yes, you sure could 🙂 Enjoy!!
It was deliciOUs! Made tHis with chicken wings. Seasoned wings with creole SEASONing first aNd LIGHTLY dipped with one egg. I only put sea salt Into the bIsquicK flour. I made sure there was enough bisquick cOating on all wings. I didnt have Spray butter. I basted the butter from bottom of pan to chicken halfway. Mmmm, love it. So crispy. My HUSBAND was raving about it. Thank you foR the recipe. Its a keeper aNd will make again and again. Yum.
Sounds delish!! Thanks!!
I have a question before I make these. Instead of baking in a buttered 9×13 pan could i bake these on a cooling rack on a cookie sheet instead or does the melted butter help with the crisping?
You could try, but, yes, the butter helps with the crisping 🙂
Delicious
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
I love this recipe and so do my kiddos!! My oldest daughter especially loves it. Their ages are 17, 12 and 2. Thank you, for your yummy recipes. Instead of using drumsticks, I use boneless/skinless chicken thighs. ????
Makes me so happy to hear!! I am so glad they like them 🙂 Thank you!!
i followed exact instructions & my chicken wasnt crispy at all… is it 425 or 450 to preheat oven… the temps are different in notes above..& chicken turned out good but not great.. i will attempt again… it was pretty moist
These sound great and I added them to my air fryer recipes. The coating sounds light and thin, and I will add some garlic powder. Try them in your air fryer and let me know how they turn out.
Thanks,
Sharon
I definitely will!! Thank you!
great idea. Also, at first I was going to skip the coating due to gluten trouble but then I realized i have gluten free bisquick like substances. Thanks for thE recipe.
You are so welcome!! Thank you for trying it!
as bad as it sounds, I could eat these drumsticks all day!
We all love this chicken!. The little ones and the adults. Since its all drumsticks its easy to eat and very easy to put toghether. It has a great tAste with a crunchy coating and no frying!
This chicken is amazing! my family devoured it. I loved how crispy it was & the taste was delicious! no need for kfc!
I don’t see how some of u guys are not getting the recipe It tells u to the t what to do.
I made this chicken tonight…..we had some legs left from the weekend. I was going to do my moms tried and true recipe but thought I’d try something new. Found this recipe which was exactly the same as moms except it called for bisquick vs flour. We were going to meet friends so I did timed cooking. Since we were going to be gone for a few hours, I cooked the chicken for 2 hrs at 300. All I can say is HOLY COW! BEST chicken EVER! My husband just kept raving about it! Tender, juicy, delicious!!!
I love, love, love to hear that!! I am so glad you all liked it!! Thank you for giving it a try!
Could these be air fried?
Haven’t tried, but I am sure they could 😉
Did you put foil in the bottom of the pan?
No, i did not. Sprayed the bottom really well 🙂
What is the pasta dish on the plate? It looks so good!
I will have to share that recipe. I don’t have it on the site. It really is good! Keep checking for it 🙂
The video says to bake for 15 minutes then flip & bake for an additional 15 minutes. The written recipe days to bake for 30 minutes then flip & bake another 15-20. Which is correct?
It’s 30 min, then an additional 15-20. Sorry for the confusion. ENJOY!
What is the recipe for the salad pictured?
Here ya go….https://lilluna.com/penne-tomato-and-mozzeralla-pasta/
Thank you
I made this recipe tonight, It was very tasty.
The only thing I did differently was melt more butter and brush it over the chicken since I use only real butter and no margarine/spray butter. I served it with cheddar Bisquick biscuits with garlic butter and a salad. Very good dinner thank you for the recipe.
I am so glad you liked it!! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Tried making these. Butter splatters all over oven. I do not have a self cleaning oven. Any suggestions how to make these so butter won’t get all over?
Hmm..I’m honestly not sure? Mine didn’t splatter all over, but maybe you can just do a smaller amount?
Top with a splatter screen.
I Am in the mist of making this…don’t have spray butter. Canola spray I have. What should I do?
This is the best, most tasty, crispy skin, baked chicken I’ve ever had! I had saved this recipe for sometime and finally made it this week. I added 1 & 1/2 tsp. garlic powder to the flour mixture and used Smart Balance spread instead of butter. I also used a whole chicken that I cut up myself. I then sprinkled the remaining flour mixture over the chicken prior to cooking to see if I’d get more of a flavorful coating-it worked! I don’t know if the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” spray is the game changer, but I’m not going to change it! It was simply delicious! I liked it so much better than cornflake baked chicken. The skin actually crisped up with the flour coating. I feel cornflakes get too mushy. Thank you, so much, for sharing this with us! I’ll never crave restaurant fried chicken again!
You are so very welcome and thank you so much for letting me know! I love hearing when recipes are a hit 🙂
What is spray butter? Pam?
It’s just butter that comes in like a spray bottle form. You spray the chicken before putting in the oven and once during baking to give it that crisp 🙂
But is there a brand name for spray butter? I think PAM is a spray oil.
I use…I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter spray. I am sure there are others, that’s just what I have. Hope that helps!!
Another spray “Butter” is Parkay Spray. The reason I know this is my son has pancreatitis and can have no butter or margarine with fat. I hope this helps!
Sharon
Thank you for sharing that Sharon!
HAS ANYONE USED BONELESS/SKINLESS BREASTS? WHAT ARE THE VARIATIONS IF SO?
I tried the boneless skinless chicken breasts, they were really good. My husband likes legs & thighs & I like breasts so I just did what the recipe said but I baked everything 25 minutes on each side. We really like it.
Thanks Donna!!
The step about how to use the spray butter seems pretty important – maybe consider adding it to the instructions? Making this for the 2nd time now, btw, since my kiddos loved it so much plus we’re bringing dinner to a friend and these make plenty to share!
I’ve added it, thank you 🙂 I’m so glad you all like it!! We make it all the time now, ourselves!
I don’t actually see where you added any instructions to spray with butter again during the baking process!
In step 4, I say to spray once during baking, so just in the middle of your baking time will work 🙂
OK. Thank you!
This looks delicious but we’re not drumstick fans…can this be done with wings instead. How long should I bake them???
I haven’t tried that. I’m not sure what the baking time would be for those. Maybe a little less, since they are smaller?? I’m sorry, I wish I knew. BUt, those would be so good!
WOW ” I HAVE TRIED SO DELICIOUS
I am glad you think so!! Thank you so much!
Can someone answer what was asked, what is the purpose of the spray butter?
We use the spray butter to coat the chicken before putting in the oven, to give it that crispy, golden taste. We also sprayed once during the baking process. Hope that helps everyone 🙂 Thank you!
What is bisquick mix? I’m from Sweden so If I know maybe I can find the Swedish equivalent.
Thanks ????
It is a pre-made baking mix. People use it for pancakes or like breads. Hope that helps!!
This looks so good! I added it to my menu plan for next week 🙂 What do we use the spray butter for? Definitely not the 9×13 since it’s plenty buttered already, right?
Realize I am YEARS late for this answer, but just incase someone else has it and Eads the comments…..
You just spray onto the chicken right before it goes in the oven and then once during the baking, it just makes it crispier!
Thanks for sharing!!
I would cut down the sauce next time. It was a little salty. I dipped the chicken in the melted butter first and then to the mixed ingredients.
Thanks so much for sharing!! You definitely can take some salt out. I’m glad you gave them a try!
Can I use drakes fry mix instead of bisquick? It’s what I have on hand
I haven’t tried, but it should be ok. Let me know how they come out! Thanks so much!!
What do I do with the spray butter?
Do I pour the butter on the chicken or in the pan?
What do you do with the butter once it’s melted? Add it to the dry ingredients or baste the chicken with it before coating it with the dry ingredients?
You leave it melted in the pan & the chicken goes on top of it 🙂 Hope that helps!
O.k that was an answer to my question!!