Tender, juicy baked chicken drumsticks with a crisp, salty skin. Marinade has only 4 ingredients. Mom's method makes these chicken drumsticks finger-lickin' good! | natashaskitchen.com

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These baked chicken drumsticks are finger-lickin’ good! They are tender and flavorful with a crisp salty skin.

My Mom makes these all the time and uses the same recipe for bone-in chicken thighs. The marinade only needs 4 simple ingredients that everyone has in their pantry, but my Mom’s brilliant method will become your secret weapon for marinating all kinds of bone-in-chicken.

Baked chicken drumsticks are perfect for parties because they are inexpensive, easy to prepare, and satisfy a crowd.

Marinating overnight produces supremely tender and flavorful chicken drumsticks. The seasoning penetrates the meat resulting in perfectly seasoned chicken from the crispy skin to the tender center.

Tender, juicy baked chicken drumsticks with a crisp, salty skin. Marinade has only 4 ingredients. Mom's method makes these chicken drumsticks finger-lickin' good! | natashaskitchen.com

Ingredients for Baked Chicken Drumsticks:

4 1/2 to 5 lbs (1 large pack) chicken drumsticks
1 medium yellow onion, pureed*
2 Tbsp mayo
1 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp salt
Optional if you want a little spice: 1 to 2 Tbsp Jamaica me sweet hot and crazy sauce

Tender, juicy baked chicken drumsticks with a crisp, salty skin. Marinade has only 4 ingredients. Mom's method makes these chicken drumsticks finger-lickin' good! | natashaskitchen.com

*You can either puree onion using the star side on a box grater or chop into pieces and puree in a food processor or blender. Onion should be consistency of applesauce.

Mom’s Chicken Drumsticks-8

How to Make Delicious Baked Chicken Drumsticks:

1. In a small bowl, stir together: onion puree, 2 Tbsp mayo, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 Tbsp salt and hot sauce if using.

Mom’s Chicken Drumsticks-9

2. Place chicken drumsticks into a large mixing bowl or soup pot then pour on the marinade and toss to coat. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 to 8 hours or (preferably) overnight.

Mom’s Chicken Drumsticks-10

3. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and bake skin-side-up at 400˚F for 45 minutes then turn drumsticks over (skin-side-down) and bake another 15 minutes. For extra crispy skin, turn drumsticks again and broil 3 minutes or until skin is browned and crisp.

Tender, juicy baked chicken drumsticks with a crisp, salty skin. Marinade has only 4 ingredients. Mom's method makes these chicken drumsticks finger-lickin' good! | natashaskitchen.com

I garnished with chives for effect 🙂

Tips for Speed Marinating: We’ve tested marinating 4 hours and the meat wasn’t as tender and tasty as overnight marinating. However, if you have a foodsaver, you can marinate in an airtight bag and have it done in 2 to 4 hours. Did you know that a foodsaver can marinate foods faster? Removing the excess air forces the marinade into the meat. We’re absolutely in love with our foodsaver.

Here’s the Print-Friendy Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe:

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Mom's Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

4.97 from 134 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
These chicken drumsticks are finger-lickin' good! They are tender and flavorful with a crisp salty skin on the outside.
Prep Time: 8 hours
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 9 hours

Ingredients 

Servings: 14 drumsticks
  • 4 1/2 to 5 lbs 1 large pack chicken drumsticks
  • 1 medium yellow onion, pureed*
  • 2 Tbsp mayo
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • Optional if you want a little spice: 1 to 2 Tbsp Jamaica me sweet hot and crazy sauce

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, stir together onion puree, 2 Tbsp mayo, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 Tbsp salt and hot sauce if using.
  • Place chicken drumsticks into a large mixing bowl or soup pot then pour on the marinade and toss to coat the drumsticks. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 to 8 hours or (preferably) overnight.
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and bake skin-side-up at 400˚F for 45 minutes in the oven then turn drumsticks over (skin-side-down) and bake another 15 minutes. For extra crispy skin, turn drumsticks again and broil 3 minutes or until skin is browned and crisp.

Notes

*You can either puree an onion using the star side on a box grater or chop onion into chunks and puree in a food processor or blender. Onion should be consistency of applesauce.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked chicken legs
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Tender, juicy baked chicken drumsticks with a crisp, salty skin. Marinade has only 4 ingredients. Mom's method makes these chicken drumsticks finger-lickin' good! | natashaskitchen.com

Tender, juicy baked chicken drumsticks with a crisp, salty skin. Marinade has only 4 ingredients. Mom's method makes these chicken drumsticks finger-lickin' good! | natashaskitchen.com

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

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Comments

  • Andrée
    January 29, 2024

    I’m sorry Natasha, I’m unable to send the photos!
    How can I send them?
    Thank you very much!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 29, 2024

      Hi Andrée! Unfortunately there is not an option to attach an image here. You can tag me on Instagram or Facebook. #natashaskitchen

      Reply

  • Andrée
    January 29, 2024

    Hello Nathasha
    I wrote to ask if I could make the chicken drumsticks the day before…
    In the end, I made them on Sunday for my guests.
    Everyone loved this recipe and it was a great success!
    I’ll definitely be making them again!
    They were perfect and I didn’t have to put them on Broil.
    I’ll send you a photo!
    And I made the strawberry pretzel salad! It was the final punch! Most went back for a second helping! That says it all!
    Thanks again!!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 29, 2024

      That’s great to hear! Thank you so much for sharing.

      Reply

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