This speedy herb roasted chicken drumsticks recipe is packed with lemon and herb flavor and is guaranteed to be gobbled up in no time! It’s a sure crowd pleaser or the perfect quick and tasty family meal as well as being keto-friendly, gluten-free and dairy-free.
Who doesn’t love a good roasted chicken drumsticks recipe? They are widely loved because they’re easy, affordable and kids love how they can pick them up and eat them without a knife and fork. It’s a primal thing.
This recipe uses a deceptively simple marinade to supercharge the flavor of these oven baked chicken drumsticks.
My main complaint with chicken drumsticks is that they do take a long time to bake in the oven.
To make life easy, we’ve created this fabulous, high flavor chicken drumstick recipe that cooks in just 30 minutes!
I think you’re going to love this chicken drumsticks recipe, and here’s why:
- It’s ridiculously tasty with a fresh citrus-herb flavored marinade
- It uses only 6 ingredients
- It doesn’t take all night to get on the table – around 30-minutes is all you need!
- Makes a great family dinner OR perfect for entertaining a crowd and parties
- This recipe is low-carb, ketogenic, gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo
- Kids love it!
Serve Herb Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with Creamy Cauliflower Mash or Low-Carb Easy Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Or try another one of my favorite family weeknight recipes: Keto Chicken with Bacon Mushroom Gravy
For info on how to start a ketogenic diet check out our easy guide: 5 Tips for Getting Started on a Ketogenic Diet or our extensive library of free resources here.
How to make Herb Roasted Chicken Drumsticks
- Pre-heat the oven to 450Ā°F (230Ā°c)
- Place the drumsticks in a large bowl and add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dried herbs, and salt [images 1,2]
- Toss the drumsticks in the marinade to cover well [image 2]
- Cover a baking sheet in foil and space the drumsticks out on the sheet [image 3]
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes
- Slice the lemon thinly [image 4]
- Remove the chicken from the oven, turn over and top with the lemon slices [image 5]
- Switch the oven over to broil (grill in the UK, Australia) and cook for 5 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165Ā°F
- Serve with fresh herbs and lemon juice [image 6]
Cooking Tips & Tricks for Herb Roasted Chicken Drumsticks
- Very large drumsticks? Depending on the size of the drumsticks, they may take longer to cook. I used medium sized drumsticks for this recipe. A meat thermometer is the best way to know when they are cooked through.
- Taking baked chicken drumsticks to a party? This recipe can easily be taken to a party. Either take to the party fresh from the oven covered in foil so they stay warm (they don’t need to be piping hot). Or pop them in the oven to reheat for 20-minutes at your destination.
- How to ensure the chicken is cooked? Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked to the proper temperature of 165F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, push a skewer into the thickest part of the drumstick and if the juices run clear (not pink), the chicken is cooked. If you are not sure, you can cut it to check the center.
- Need to save time? Using jarred minced garlic is a huge time saver. Fresh garlic can be used if preferred.
- Prep ahead of time? The mixture could be marinated overnight for even more flavorful chicken, although the extra herbs and lemon juice add plenty of flavor
- Can I substitute for the Italian herbs? Any Italian herb seasoning blend can be used. I like a Tuscan seasoning for the extra sun-dried tomato and garlic but any regular herb blend is fine. Italian style herbs include oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil or sage.
- Oven temperature too high? If you need to use the oven to bake something else at the same time, such as cauliflower, then roast the chicken drumsticks at 350Ā°F (180Ā°c) for 45 – 60 minutes or at 400Ā°F (200Ā°c) for 35-40 minutes.
HOW LONG DO YOU COOK CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS IN THE OVEN FOR?
Chicken drumsticks baked in an oven will be cooked through at:
- 350Ā°F (180Ā°c) in 45-60 minutes
- 400Ā°F (200Ā°c) in 35-40 minutes
- 450Ā°F (230Ā°c) in 25-30 minutes
Chicken drumsticks can be finished for 5 minutes under a broiler or grill to crisp up the skin.
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ā Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
30-Minute Herb Roasted Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon jarred minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian herb blend
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 lemon sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230c)
- Add drumsticks to a large bowl along with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dried herbs and salt
- Toss to coat well and place on baking sheet
- Bake at 450 F (230c) for 15 minutes then flip chicken
- Switch oven to broil, top with lemon slices and cook for an additional 5 minutes until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 F (74c)
- Garnish with fresh herbs and fresh lemon juice for serving
Notes
- Very large drumsticks? Depending on the size of the drumsticks, they may take longer to cook. I used medium sized drumsticks for this recipe.Ā
- Taking baked chicken drumsticks to a party?Ā This recipe can easily be taken to a party. Either take to the party fresh from the oven covered in foil so they stay warm (they don't need to be piping hot). Or pop them in the oven to reheat for 20-minutes at your destination.
- How to ensure the chicken is cooked? Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked to the proper temperature of 165F. If you don't have a meat thermometer, push a skewer into the thickest part of the drumstick and if the juices run clear (not pink), the chicken is cooked. If you are not sure, you can cut it to check the center.
- Need to save time? Using jarred minced garlic is a huge time saver. Fresh garlic can be used if preferred.
- Prep ahead of time?Ā The mixture could be marinated overnight for even more flavorful chicken, although the extra herbs and lemon juice add plenty of flavor
ā Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
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Lori
Do you adjust the oven rack height when you switch over to broil for the last 5 minutes? Sometimes it seems to cook too quickly and smoke.
Anna Mazlin
I haven’t had the issue of smoking so have not needed to make any adjustments to the racks. You could always skip the broil step and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through if smoking and overcooking is a problem!
Tyler
Chicken was good! I used equal amount of butter instead of olive oil to increase fat content for keto. Also added a tsp of pepper and used a tsp of garlic powder because it was all I had on hand. The recipe reads to cook the chicken on 450 for 15 minutes and broil for 5. I think you mean bake for 30 and broil for 5. It definitely wasnāt done after 15. Good recipe though, easy!
Abbie Brooks
I’m so glad you liked the recipe! I find that the cooking time can vary a lot based on the size of the drumsticks. Sometimes chicken drumsticks can be really big but if you want them to cook quickly then the smaller ones are best. I like your butter variation – that would have been delicious š
Mynndie Bowden
I was looking for a good recipe to try today and this sounds wonderful, I can’t wait til they are done
Abbie Brooks
I hope you loved the chicken drumsticks recipe, Mynndie!
Ramona
Perfect recipe for any week dinner time – easy and so delicious – love all that blend of ingredients. Superb!
Prajakta Sukhatme
These chicken drumsticks look so delicious. I love the flavors of the marinade. My kids will love this yummy dinner
Abbie Brooks
This recipe is a huge hit with my family so I’m sure your kids will love it!
Corina Blum
We love easy chicken recipes like this in our family. It’s such a good choice for midweek meals and my kids love being able to pick drumsticks up!
Abbie Brooks
Glad you like it š
Jacqueline Debono
We love chicken drumsticks and I cook them often either on the bbq or in the oven. These look perfect. Your marinade sounds so flavourful. Def going to try this recipe!
Abbie Brooks
Enjoy š
Bethany Nichols
Delicious! Making again today!
Abbie Brooks
I’m so happy you liked them Bethany š
Nikole Berg
I love roasted chicken! Your recipe sounds delicious! Such a great weeknight meal for a hungry family!
Abbie Brooks
I hope you love it, Nikole!