These Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are baked to perfection, fall off the bone tender with crispy skin and a delicious sweet tangy flavor. It’s an easy budget-friendly meal the whole family will love.
We love super easy dinners and this baked chicken recipe is one we make often on busy weeknights. Sometimes we change it up with different seasonings and marinades such as garlic parmesan, lemon pepper or teriyaki.
I know what you’re thinking, why is maple syrup an ingredient? The answer is simple, it adds natural sweetness, helps the sauce caramelize in the oven and gives the chicken that sticky, crave-worthy glaze.
If you love this easy dinner recipe, try my other baked chicken drumsticks recipe or sheet pan chicken parmesan next.
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BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients
- Chicken drumsticks: about 2-3 pounds
- BBQ sauce: your favorite brand or homemade
- Maple syrup: adds sweetness to help caramelize
- Salt and pepper: to taste
How to Bake Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place drumsticks on top. Pat dry and season with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, mix together maple syrup and BBQ sauce. Brush sauce over drumsticks.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, flipping over and brushing with more sauce halfway.
For extra caramelization, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Creamy coleslaw
- Corn on the cob
- Baked beans
- Mac and cheese
- Potato salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Garlic bread
Helpful Tips and Variations
- Use a wire rack on your pan to help the skin crisp up.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili powder for a smoky kick.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking for more flavor.
- Swap drumsticks for boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs. (cook times vary)
- Swap maple syrup with honey.
How to Store Leftovers
Place leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they must be fully thawed before baking so they cook evenly and the skin crisps properly.
BBQ sauce contains sugar, which can burn if the oven is too hot or chicken is too close to the heating element. If needed, add sauce halfway through cooking instead of at the beginning.
Absolutely! Pat the drumsticks dry, season with salt and pepper, then place them in a resealable bag with the BBQ sauce and maple syrup mixture. Refrigerate overnight and bake them the next day.
Recipe
BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs Chicken drumsticks about 12
- 1 tbsp Maple syrup
- 8 oz. BBQ sauce
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and place drumsticks on top.
- Pat dry and season with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, mix together maple syrup and BBQ sauce.
- Brush sauce over drumsticks.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, flipping over and brushing with more sauce halfway.
- For extra caramelization, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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