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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
Ingredients
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!!
Video
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:
Adapted from bettycrocker.com.
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!!