Baked Chicken Drumsticks (Mom’s Recipe)

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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.

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

*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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Mom's Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

4.97 from 135 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.

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Prep Time: 8 hours hrs

Cook Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 9 hours hrs

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

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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.

• Full Nutrition Label
• Nutrition Disclosure

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked chicken legs

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $