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Easy Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks - Quick Weeknight Dinner in 40 Minutes

These easy baked BBQ chicken drumsticks are a delicious, family-friendly dinner that comes together quickly in just 40 minutes. They deliver classic barbecue flavor with crispy, caramelized skin and tender, juicy meat without ever needing to use a grill.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 8-10 chicken drumsticks (about 2-2.5 pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. This helps the skin get crispy during baking.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the drumsticks.
  4. Arrange the seasoned drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they're not touching each other. Bake for 25 minutes.
  5. While the chicken bakes, prepare the barbecue sauce mixture. Combine the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
  6. After 25 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven and brush generously with the barbecue sauce mixture. Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy and caramelized.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, place drumsticks on a wire rack over the baking sheet. Chicken can be seasoned up to 24 hours in advance for deeper flavor penetration. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.