Description
This Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe offers crispy and tender drumsticks infused with a flavorful blend of spices and smothered in a sweet and tangy sugar-free BBQ sauce. Perfect for a delicious and easy oven-baked main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 12)
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Sauce
- 2 cups sugar-free BBQ sauce (or low sugar)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, add the chicken drumsticks along with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Using clean hands, rub the seasoning generously all over the drumsticks to ensure even coverage.
- Marinate: Refrigerate the seasoned drumsticks to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat for at least 30 minutes, enhancing their taste.
- Preheat Oven: Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a roasting tin with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, if desired.
- Arrange Drumsticks: Transfer the chicken drumsticks to the prepared roasting tin, arranging them on a wire rack with space between each piece to ensure even cooking.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the tray in the middle of the oven and bake the drumsticks for 50 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning.
- Apply BBQ Sauce and Bake Again: Remove the drumsticks from the oven and brush each piece generously with the sugar-free BBQ sauce. Return the tray to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, then flip the drumsticks, brush with more BBQ sauce, and bake for an additional 15 minutes until caramelized and tender.
- Serve: Remove the drumsticks from the oven and serve immediately while hot and juicy. Enjoy your flavorful baked BBQ chicken drumsticks!
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, you can broil the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes after the final baking step, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper or smoked chipotle powder to the seasoning mix.
- Use a wire rack within the roasting tin to prevent the chicken from sitting in its juices and to achieve better texture.
- Leftover chicken drumsticks can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- You can substitute chicken thighs or wings if preferred, adjusting cooking times slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 522 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 2014 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 186 mg
