10+ Chicken Drumstick Recipes to Try for Easy and Delicious Meals

Chicken drumsticks are a popular choice for meals because they are flavorful and easy to prepare. You can cook them in many ways, from baking to frying.

This makes them perfect for quick dinners or special occasions.

You’ll find chicken drumstick recipes that fit different tastes and skill levels. These recipes use simple steps and common ingredients so you can easily add variety to your meals.

1) Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks

If you want a simple way to make crispy chicken drumsticks, bake them in the oven. You only need a few ingredients to add flavor and get the skin nice and crunchy.

Bake at a high temperature to make the outside crisp while keeping the meat juicy. Start by seasoning your drumsticks with salt, pepper, and any spices you like.

Place them on a baking tray lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake the chicken for about 35 minutes, flip them, and bake another 15 minutes.

This method gives a tasty, crunchy skin without frying. Try this easy recipe for a quick meal that skips the extra oil but still feels like a treat.

You can find more tips and details in this crispy baked chicken drumsticks recipe.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat drumsticks dry and toss with olive oil.
3. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Arrange on a baking tray in a single layer.
5. Bake for 35 minutes.
6. Flip drumsticks and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
7. Check for crispiness and internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
8. Let rest a few minutes before serving.

2) Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Legs

You’ll love the sweet and savory taste of honey garlic baked chicken legs. Marinate the chicken in a mix of honey, garlic, butter, and a bit of Dijon mustard.

This creates a juicy and flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare. Bake the chicken drumsticks slowly to let the sauce stick to the meat and make each bite tender.

You can pair it with rice or vegetables for a full, balanced plate.

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix honey, garlic, butter, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Coat the chicken drumsticks with the sauce.
4. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with foil.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, turning once halfway through.
6. Serve warm and enjoy.

3) Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Drumsticks

Enjoy the mix of sweet and spicy in these hot honey chicken drumsticks. Start with a dry rub that adds flavor and a bit of heat.

Brush the drumsticks with a homemade hot honey sauce made from honey and red pepper flakes. Bake the drumsticks until they’re crispy to lock in the spicy sweetness.

This recipe is easy to prepare and great if you want something bold but not too complicated. You can adjust the heat by using more or less red pepper flakes.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (use 1/2 tablespoon for milder heat)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for the dry rub.
3. Coat the drumsticks with the dry rub evenly.
4. Bake drumsticks on a lined sheet for 25 minutes.
5. Mix honey and red pepper flakes for the sauce.
6. Brush sauce over drumsticks and bake 10 more minutes.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

For details, see hot honey chicken drumstick recipes like this one at Charlotte Shares.

4) Soy-Sauce and Tomato Braised Drumsticks

Cook chicken drumsticks slowly in a mix of soy sauce and tomatoes for a tasty meal. The sauce is a little sweet and salty, making the chicken juicy and full of flavor.

Start by browning the drumsticks in a pan. Add soy sauce, tomatoes, and a few simple seasonings.

Let everything cook together gently until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup canned tomatoes or fresh chopped tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1/2 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
2. Brown the drumsticks on all sides, about 5 minutes.
3. Mix soy sauce, tomatoes, garlic, brown sugar, and water in the pan.
4. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low for 30-40 minutes.
5. Check chicken for doneness and let sauce thicken before serving.

For a similar recipe idea, see this soy-sauce and tomato braised chicken.

5) Grilled Pineapple Chicken Drumsticks

Make chicken drumsticks taste sweet and juicy with a pineapple marinade. The pineapple helps tenderize the meat while adding a fresh flavor.

Mix pineapple juice with garlic, soy sauce, and a bit of brown sugar to make a tasty glaze. Once marinated, grill the drumsticks over medium-high heat.

This gives you crispy skin and a smoky, caramelized outside. Keep turning the drumsticks so they cook evenly and don’t burn.

Serve these with rice or salad for a simple meal. This recipe works great for summer cookouts or easy dinners.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl.
2. Add drumsticks and marinate for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
3. Preheat grill to 375°F (190°C).
4. Grill drumsticks for 25-30 minutes, turning every 5 minutes until cooked through.
5. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

6) Slow-Roasted Curry-Spiced Drumsticks

Slow-roasting chicken drumsticks lets the spices soak in and the meat become tender. Coat the drumsticks with a mix of curry powder, turmeric, garlic, and a pinch of salt.

This gives them a warm, mild flavor without being too spicy. Cook them low and slow at 300°F (150°C) to get slightly crispy skin and juicy meat inside.

Enjoy these drumsticks with plain rice or simple veggies for a comforting meal. Pair with a yogurt sauce for a cool contrast.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Mix curry powder, turmeric, garlic powder, salt, and olive oil.
3. Rub the spice mix all over the drumsticks.
4. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet.
5. Roast for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender and cooked through.
6. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp the skin.

7) Classic Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Make classic fried chicken drumsticks by soaking them in buttermilk. This makes the chicken juicy and tender.

Coat the drumsticks in seasoned flour with salt, pepper, paprika, and a little garlic powder. Fry the coated drumsticks in hot oil until golden brown.

Heat the oil to about 350°F (175°C) for even cooking. Fry in batches to keep the temperature steady.

When done, the chicken should be crispy on the outside and fully cooked inside. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Ingredients:

• 6 chicken drumsticks
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Vegetable oil for frying

Cooking Instructions:

1. Soak chicken drumsticks in buttermilk for at least 1 hour.
2. Mix flour with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a bowl.
3. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
4. Remove drumsticks from buttermilk and dredge in the seasoned flour.
5. Fry drumsticks in batches until golden and cooked through, about 12-15 minutes.
6. Drain on paper towels and let rest for 5 minutes before eating.

8) Easy Marinated Drumsticks with Yogurt

Marinating chicken drumsticks in yogurt makes them tender and flavorful. The yogurt breaks down the meat for a soft texture.

Add spices like garlic, cumin, and chili paste for extra flavor. Let the chicken soak in the yogurt marinade for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Bake or grill the drumsticks until they are cooked through and golden. Serve the drumsticks with rice, salad, or naan bread.

Ingredients

• 12 chicken drumsticks, skin-on
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-2 tbsp chili paste
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yogurt, olive oil, garlic, chili paste, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Add drumsticks and coat them with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
4. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes until cooked through and browned.

9) Garlic and Herb Roasted Chicken Drumsticks

Garlic and herb roasted chicken drumsticks are easy to make. Marinate the chicken with olive oil, garlic, thyme, and parsley for fresh, savory flavor.

Roast the drumsticks in the oven until the skin is crispy and golden. The meat stays juicy and full of taste.

Serve with rice, veggies, or salad for a balanced meal.

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix garlic, olive oil, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Coat drumsticks with the herb mixture.
4. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet.
5. Roast for 35-40 minutes until cooked through and crispy.

10) Sweet and Tangy Cranberry-Mustard Drumsticks

This recipe combines sweet cranberries and tangy mustard for flavorful drumsticks. The glaze sticks to the chicken as it bakes.

Cranberries add tartness, and mustard brings sharpness. You can use fresh or frozen cranberries.

A splash of apple cider vinegar adds extra zing.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup whole grain mustard
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).

2. Season the drumsticks with salt and pepper.

3. Mix cranberries, mustard, honey, and vinegar in a bowl.

4. Coat the drumsticks with the cranberry mixture.

5. Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with foil.

6. Bake for 35-40 minutes. The drumsticks should be cooked through and the glaze should be bubbly.

7. Let the drumsticks rest for a few minutes before serving.