These garlic butter baked chicken drumsticks are perfectly seasoned, extra juicy and fantastically tender. They’re completely mouthwatering and easy to whip up, making them the perfect meal and something the whole family will enjoy.  

If you are looking for more chicken drumsticks (chicken legs) recipes, please try these ones too: grilled chicken drumsticks or roasted chicken drumsticks.

Garlic butter baked chicken drumsticks in a white baking dish.
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This buttery baked chicken legs recipe is so tasty. I also love that it goes well with many different sides. The options are endless, which allows you to use up the produce you’ve got on hand and keep food waste to a minimum.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Olive oil and butter — I like to use a mix of olive oil and butter. The butter adds rich flavor, and the olive oil helps stop it from burning. It’s the perfect combo for juicy, golden-browned drumsticks.

Seasonings — I generally use spices like smoked paprika, onion powder, cumin, salt and black pepper for this recipe. But feel free to play around and use other seasonings if you want such as garlic powder! You can even add a little cayenne pepper if you like spicy food.

Drumsticks — You should use skin-on and bone-in chicken for this recipe. However, you can also use chicken thighs, chicken breasts or chicken wings if you prefer.

Ingredients for garlic butter baked chicken drumsticks.

Instructions to Make Baked Chicken Drumsticks:

  • First, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
  • Line or grease a baking dish or sheet pan.
  • Melt butter in a small bowl and stir in minced garlic and parsley.
Left: garlic and parsley added to melted butter. Right: garlic and parsley mixed into butter.
  • Mix all your seasonings in a small bowl or jar.
  • Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to help it brown.
  • Put drumsticks in a large bowl.
  • Coat the chicken with the spices.
  • Then, pour the garlic butter over the chicken. Stir until everything is well coated.
Left: seasoned drumsticks in bowl. Right: garlic butter added to seasoned drumsticks.
  • Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the baking dish, making sure not to overcrowd them.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until they are golden and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
  • You do not have to cover your chicken drumsticks while they bake. Leaving them uncovered will actually help to get crispy skin!
Unbaked, seasoned drumsticks lined in a baking dish.

Tip: A instant read thermometer is super handy when making these drumsticks. Ever since I started using one, I’ve never overcooked chicken again—it’s totally worth it! It helps ensure your chicken stays perfectly juicy every time.

Close up of garlic butter baked chicken drumsticks in a white baking dish.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Try a salad as side dish! Whip up this simple, fresh arugula salad or coleslaw to go with your easy baked chicken drumsticks or make a Greek quinoa salad.

Veggies anyone? I love to serve it with roasted cauliflower, mushrooms or mashed potatoes.

Bust out your air fryer: make some crispy potato wedges, green beans or sweet potato.

Garlic butter baked chicken drumsticks in a white baking dish.

If you are looking for more chicken drumsticks (chicken legs) recipes, please try these ones too: grilled chicken drumsticks or roasted chicken drumsticks.

Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

3.46 from 230 votes
Author: Olivia Ribas
Servings6 people
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
These garlic butter baked chicken drumsticks are perfectly seasoned, extra juicy and fantastically tender. They’re completely mouthwatering and easy to whip up, making them the perfect meal and something the whole family will enjoy.  

Video

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Ingredients 
 

For the Chicken Drumsticks

For the Garlic Butter

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 ½ tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon parsley chopped

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, minced garlic and chopped parsley. Stir well and set to the side.
  • In a separate small bowl, combine the paprika, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
  • Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with a paper towel. Place the chicken in a large glass bowl and sprinkle the spice blend over the drumsticks, making sure to coat them evenly.
  • Spread the garlic butter mixture over each chicken drumstick, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Place the seasoned drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
  • Place the baking sheet with the drumsticks in the preheated oven. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Once cooked, remove the drumsticks from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes.
  • Serve it hot, garnished with some additional fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • To Store: Place cooled leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or freeze up to 4 months. 
  • To Reheat: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight (if reheating from frozen). Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through or shred meat for use in soup and casseroles!

Nutrition

Serving: 1/8, Calories: 248kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 17g, Cholesterol: 105mg, Sodium: 241mg, Potassium: 14mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Olivia Ribas

Welcome

Hi, I'm Olivia


Happy to have you here! I’ve been creating and sharing tasty, easy-to-make recipes on Primavera Kitchen for over 10 years now! I’m all about simple, delicious recipes made with fresh, seasonal, and wholesome ingredients that your whole family will love.

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3.46 from 230 votes (225 ratings without comment)

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15 Comments

  1. Wilson moreau says:

    Garlic butter baked chicken leg is awesome I love it thank you for those recipes

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      You’re so welcome! Thank you so much 😉

  2. Brittany says:

    This was a great recipe plenty of flavor! We have a Garlic butter spice blend that I added and it really turned out great. Thank you I’m making it again tonight for the second time!

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      I’m so happy to hear that. It’s a wonderful recipe and my family and I love it a lot too.

  3. Connie Rios says:

    I love this recipe! So easy to make!

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      We too! It’s easy, quick and delicious 😉

  4. Pauline Kelly says:

    I don’t get the amounts specified when I change recipe to 4 servings. Too complicated. How about 1/2 or 1/8, etc?

  5. Kimberly Golden says:

    I was so bored with breaded chicken and want to elevate my game. This was the ticket. Just wow! The family ate so chicken last night it was awesome!

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Thank you so much! Your comment made my day! Love it 😉

  6. Shirley Secor says:

    My chicken wasn’t fully cooked after 40 mins so I had to put them back in for another 20 mins and I have a gas stove

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Hey there! I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble with the cooking time. Gas stoves can sometimes vary in heat, which might affect cooking times. Next time, you might want to try adjusting the cooking time or temperature to ensure thorough cooking. Let me know if you need any assistance or tips for your next cook!

  7. Jan says:

    Curious how this would turn out on skinless chicken breast?

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      It would turn out good too.

  8. Crumbl Cookie Flavours says:

    These garlic butter chicken drumsticks are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make—a perfect family meal.

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      Thanks! Happy you liked it 😉