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Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks – Juicy, crispy, and full of flavor! Learn how to make this budget-friendly recipe that’s perfect for indoor BBQ vibes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
(Optional) Rest Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 3 Servings

Equipment

  • 1 Baking Sheet Preferably Lined with Foil
  • 1 Wire Baking Rack (Optional) but Recommended
  • 1 Basting Brush
  • Normal Kitchen Utensils

Ingredients
  

  • 6 Chicken Drumsticks Skin On if Possible
  • 1/2 C Barbecue Sauce Pick your favorite, and aim for one with a ketchup consistency
  • 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder NOT Baking Soda; Baking powder changes the pH of the chicken skin, helping it crisp up in the oven
  • 1 tsp Salt Plus More To Taste
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika Preferably Smoked
  • Vegetable Oil for Greasing (Optional)

Instructions
 

  • (Optional): You can prep the chicken up to an hour in advance, and let it sit, uncovered in the refrigerator, to help the skin dry out even more. Dry Skin = Crispy Skin
    If you do this, skip the next step until the hour is up.
  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  • To prep the chicken, dry it thoroughly with paper towels.
    6 Chicken Drumsticks
  • Mix the baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika together. Coat the chicken thoroughly with this mixture.
    1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder, 1 tsp Salt, 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, 1/2 tsp Paprika
  • If using a wire rack, place it on top of a baking sheet and place the drumsticks on top of it. (I also like to line the baking sheet with foil before adding the wire rack (helps with cleanup.)
    If not using a wire rack, line a baking sheet with foil and add just enough oil to help keep the chicken from sticking. Then place the chicken on the foil.
    Be sure to disperse the drumsticks evenly and not let them touch. Place them skin-side-up to start.
    Vegetable Oil for Greasing
  • This is when you would (optionally) let the chicken sit, uncovered, in the refrigerator for up to one hour.
    After resting, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Bake the drumsticks for 35-40 minutes, depending on size of the drumsticks, flipping once halfway. If you have it, use the convection setting on your oven.
  • Once the chicken is baked, remove it from the oven and set the oven to broil.
  • Baste the chicken generously with the barbecue sauce, being sure to get both sides. This will be the first of two coats.
    1/2 C Barbecue Sauce
  • Return the chicken to the oven and broil for 3-5 minutes, until the barbecue sauce gets some caramelization to it.
  • Remove the drumsticks from the oven (you can turn it off at this point) and baste them a final time with the remainder of the barbecue sauce.
    Note: make sure your chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite barbecue sides!
Keyword Baked, Barbecue, BBQ, Cheap, Chicken, Drumsticks, Saucy