These oven-baked chicken drumsticks deliver big flavor with very little prep.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Smoky paprika, garlic, and a hint of oregano coat tender chicken drumsticks that crisp beautifully in the oven.
- Skill Level: These low carb chicken drumsticks are beginner-friendly and nearly foolproof with minimal steps.
- Budget: Drumsticks are one of the most affordable cuts of chicken and are perfect for low carb cooking.
- Serving: Great for weeknight dinners or lunches. Pair with low carb sides like roasted broccoli or roasted cauliflower, cauliflower rice, or salads.
- Yield: I love to double up this recipe and keep some aside for meal prep. It’s easy to reheat or cut the meat off the bone and add it to low-carb chicken lettuce wraps or chicken salad.
Low Carb Ingredient Guide
- Chicken drumsticks: Keep the skin on for crisp texture and natural fat that fits low-carb eating.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning. Avocado oil also works.
- Kosher salt: Provides even seasoning; if using table salt, reduce by half to avoid over salting.
- Smoked paprika: Adds smoky depth and enhances browning, plus it goes well with all the other spices and seasonings. Sweet or hot paprika can be swapped.
Variations
- Use a keto-friendly lemon pepper or southwest seasoning instead of paprika and oregano.
- Swap smoked paprika for chipotle powder for a deeper smoky heat. For spice lovers, add extra cayenne or a pinch of chili flakes.
- For extra richness, add a small sprinkle of Parmesan during the last 5 minutes (still low carb).
How to Make Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Season the drumsticks with oil and spices, then arrange them on a rack.
- Bake at high heat until the skin crisps and the chicken is fully cooked. Broil briefly if you want extra crunch.
Holly’s Tips for Perfect Crisp Chicken
- Pat the drumsticks very dry with paper towels before seasoning for the best, crispy skin.
- Use a wire rack if possible so the heat can circulate around the chicken.
- Baking at high heat renders the skin crisp while keeping the meat moist.
- Cook to temperature, not just time. Larger drumsticks will need 5 to 10 minutes longer to cook.
Keep Your Leftovers Fresh
- Store cooled drumsticks in an airtight container for up to four days.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep the skin crisp, or strip the meat off the bones and add to a keto buffalo chicken casserole.
- Freeze seasoned raw drumsticks for up to three months.
- Cooked drumsticks can also be frozen, but the skin won’t be as crisp once thawed.
Perfect Low Carb Sides to Pair
Did you make these Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks? Leave a comment and rating below.
Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Make these juicy baked drumsticks with smoky, low-carb seasoning and perfectly crisp skin.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks skin on, about 2 pounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt or 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1½ teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425℉. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack overtop.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl or zip-top bag.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken. Sprinkle the kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper and cayenne overtop. Toss to coat.
- Place the seasoned drumsticks on the prepared rack with space between each piece to allow even cooking.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Optional: For extra crispy skin, broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking
Notes
- Pat the drumsticks very dry with paper towels for crisp skin.
- If possible, don’t skip using a wire rack so the heat can move around each piece.
- Add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time if the drumsticks are bigger.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 1322mg | Potassium: 383mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 479IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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