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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
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 to 5 lbs 1 large pack chicken drumsticks
- 1 medium yellow onion, pureed*
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 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
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Hi Natasha, I had a question about the onion puree. I tried grating it to a paste like consistency but when I tasted it, it was really bitter. I thought something was wrong with the onion so I used a fresh one but that turned out bitter as well. How do I fix this? Thanks so much!
Hi Anya, did you use yellow onions?
Thanks for replying! Yes, I used yellow onions.
The recipe doesn’t specify a type of onion. Is there one that you prefer? 🙂
Hi Becky, I updated the recipe to specify. We usually use a yellow onion, but you can use what you have on hand.
Hi, how much do I change the recipe if I only want to make 3 lbs of chicken? Also can you use chicken thighs?
Hi DW, this recipe calls for 4.5- 5 lbs of meat which makes about 14 drum sticks. We have the recipe slider on the printable recipe towards the bottom of the post where you can adjust it to how many servings you would like. I hope that helps.
LOve your show and your recipes, hope you are putting out a cook book soon, copy off internet is not easy with all the advertisements getting in the way.
Hi Donna, if you scroll down to the bottom of the recipe post, there is a print-friendly (usually 1-page) concise recipe without any ads and just a single small photo. I hope that helps and thank you so much for the wonderful feedback.
I made these chicken legs last night and they were outstanding. What is simple and great recipe. The best thing about it is that a contains ingredients that almost every refrigerator and spice cabinet has on hand. Thank you Natasha love all your videos. You should have your own show on the Food Network.
#FoodnetworkNatashaneedsherownshow #100%
Thank you for sharing that with us and for that awesome compliment! We love how easy it is to make these!
I made this today and I let it marinade for a little more than 24 hours. It was DELICIOUS!
Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Yes, they were tender, but lacking flavor and didnt get crispy. I cooked them longer than suggested and then put them under the broiler. Also, marinated for a day and a half. I usually like your recipes Natasha, next time!
Hi Carol, did you change anything about the recipe? Did you use a different amount (or different kind) of onion than called for? Did you grate the onion as stated in the recipe? Normally these are very flavorful. Also, it does help to keep them spaced out on a baking sheet to get them to crisp up rather than stay soft from surrounding steam.
Used Blue Jean Chef cooking time to air fry
Scrumptious. Will make again
That’s so great! I’m so glad you enjoyed that.
I used The Blue Jean Chefs time chart for air frying
It was so delicious. This is a great recipe
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Patti! I’m so happy you enjoyed that.
I’ve never make anything that called for pureed onion – that’s an interesting ingredient. I can’t wait to try these. Did I tell you how much I love your recipes? I do you know.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing that with us & I’m so glad to hear you are enjoying our recipes.
I am making tonight. Do you have any suggestions for air frying time? Can’t wait to try
Hi Patti, yes an air fryer would work but the timing will have to be adjusted for the air fryer and I haven’t tested that to advise. I hope you love the chicken drumsticks!
Delicious. Air fryed worker great
Air fryer works well
I have never been able to cook chicken so that the skin is crispy before. I was so excited when they came out of the oven looking just as good as in the picture. And they tasted really good too. And one of the easiest dinners ever! Thanks so much for another great recipe
I’m so happy to hear that, Jenny! Thank you for that awesome review!
Tasty and easy. Didn’t use hot sauce but I’d like to try adding some garlic powder or fresh garlic to the marinade. The only problem I encountered was when using foil. The chicken stuck to it and was hard to flip. Parchment worked much better.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me Kendall!
use foil dull side up, to prevent sticking, and for good measure, spray it with Pam.
I read through your comments first but didn’t find an answer…do they reheat well…and what’s the best way
Hi Dianne, they do reheat pretty well and I recommend reheating foods the same way they were cooked and heating just until warmed through.
These are delicious! I’ve made them with legs & thighs and added some garlic powder to the mix. A family favourite for sure. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great feedback.
LOVE this recipe! My kids love these, it is always a hit with guests and so simple to make.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Vera!
HI, I’d like to ask if anyone has tried serving these cold? They sound great but I could be short of cooking time if they have to be eaten hot. They’d be part of an informal lunch buffet for a couple of friends.
Hi! I haven’t tested that cold but one of our readers wrote “I made these earlier tonight…yum, yum, yum, yum, yum! And I just discovered that they are also good eaten cold as a late night snack. Another great recipe, Natasha!” I hope that helps
What can I sub for the Jamaica me sweet hot and crazy sauce….
Any spicy sauce(liquid) or is it better powder.
Hi Karin, that is totally optional and we often make these drumsticks without the hot sauce. You can use any kind of your favorite hot sauce if you want to add a little spice and it will work
Sriracha~
after chicken marinates can you use an airfryer thank you
Hi Dorothy, yes an air fryer would work but the timing will have to be adjusted for the air fryer. I hope you love the chicken drumsticks!
This recipe sounds delicious and I’m always opened to trying new recipes. So I have like 2.66lbs of chicken drumsticks (8 in total), what would be the proportions for the ingredients listed?
Hi Bella! We have a serving slider at the top of the printable recipe. Where is says servings 14 (in red) drumsticks, click on the number and slide to adjust how many you need. I hope that helps.
I was honestly skeptical as the ingredient list is so simple but these were amazing!!! Big hit at family gathering.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite Melissa!
Do you think I can BBQ them as opposed to bake? This time of year that is our favorite method of cooking. Thank you!
Hi, I have had a few readers report great results grilling this and I don’t see why not! I hope you love theme as grilled chicken drumsticks!
Tried it today – super good! I made it with thighs though. The whole bunch was gone in about 10 minutes! Honestly, haven’t tried any of your recipes that my family or myself didn’t like. Your website is my endless source of ideas, whenever I have no clue what to cook or/and am tired of all my most cliche meals. Thank you for your moderately simple, yet very delicious recipes!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Kateryna! I’m so happy you discovered our blog and are enjoying our recipes! Thank you for sharing your thoughtful review with me!
How long did u cook the thighs??? Same time as in drumstiks??
Delicious!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Donna!
I made these mostly out of curiosity, because of the simple ingredients, and was blown away! Delicious; will make them regularly. Who knew what an onion and 2 tablespoons could do?
who knew what 2 tablespoons of mayo could do? Kudos to your Mom
Thank you Patricia!
Sounds like you found a new favorite, Patricia! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!