Easy to make BBQ chicken in the oven! These Baked BBQ Chicken Legs are fully cooked in the oven, but taste just like you spent time over cooking on a grill.
Perfect for dinner anytime of the year!
BBQ chicken in the oven
Sometimes I want everything about barbecued chicken except I don't want to mess with the grill! Usually it's when it's pouring down rain or on the days when I just don't have time to tend to the chicken on the grill.
That's when this Baked BBQ Chicken comes into play! These chicken drumsticks are first baked in the oven, then coated with a BBQ sauce and baked a bit longer to caramelize the sauce.
The BBQ sauce gives all the flavors you'd find on the grill, but without any of the difficulties you might experience on the grill.
With oven baked chicken, you don't have to worry about flare ups, turning the chicken every few minutes, uneven heat, or the chicken sticking to the grill.
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Legs are easy peasy and delicious!
Another delicious BBQ chicken recipe you'll want to try is this Crockpot BBQ Chicken!
Key ingredients
Ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- Chicken drumsticks - you could also use chicken thighs, but the baking time will increase
- BBQ sauce - make your own BBQ sauce or purchase from store
- Salt and pepper
Step by step directions
How to make it
In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- Sprinkle drumsticks with salt and pepper
- Place on a greased baking rack over a baking sheet
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 35-45 minutes or until 165°F and the skin is crispy
- Brush all sides of each drumstick with BBQ sauce and return to oven for 10-15 minutes until sauce is thickened and just beginning to brown
- Rest chicken for 5-10 minutes before serving
Recipe tips
- Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. This is optional but does help make cleanup a bit easier.
- Be certain to lightly spray the baking rack with a nonstick spray
- If a baking rack isn't available, just cook directly on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Be certain to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
- Chicken drumsticks vary in size. This affects the cooking time. For best results use an instant read thermometer to determine if the chicken is cooked through.
- Cook chicken to 165-180°F
- Packages of chicken drumsticks are often sold partially frozen. Be certain to fully thaw before baking.
Frequently asked questions
Store leftover legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To use, eat cold or heat in a microwave for 1 minute.
Yes, these BBQ chicken legs can be frozen. Store in a freezer safe container. They are best used within 3 months.
Thaw and then reheat. Additional BBQ sauce may be needed before reheating the drumsticks.
Serving suggestions
You'll also want to check out What to Serve With BBQ Chicken for more delicious side dishes.
More delicious chicken dishes
- Baked apricot chicken
- Oven baked chicken thighs
- Pesto chicken sandwich
- Cast iron chicken thighs
- Green chile chicken and rice
- Creamy chicken orzo
- Chicken salad
- Chicken sheet pan dinner
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Be certain to check out all my delicious main dish recipes!
Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 12 chicken drumsticks
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Prepare baking sheet by lining with parchment paper or foil. Place a lightly greased baking rack on top of baking sheet.
- Sprinkle drumsticks with salt and pepper12 chicken drumsticks, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Place on a greased baking rack over a baking sheet
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 35-45 minutes or until 165°F and the skin is crispy
- Brush all sides of each drumstick with BBQ sauce and return to oven for 10-15 minutes until sauce is thickened and just beginning to brown1 cup BBQ sauce
- Rest chicken for 5-10 minutes before serving
- Sprinkle with parsley, if desired1 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley
Notes
- Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. This is optional but does help make cleanup a bit easier.
- Be certain to lightly spray the baking rack with a nonstick spray
- If a baking rack isn't available, just cook directly on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Be certain to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
- Chicken drumsticks vary in size. This affects the cooking time. For best results use an instant read thermometer to determine if the chicken is cooked through.
- Cook chicken to 165-180°F
- Packages of chicken drumsticks are often sold partially frozen. Be certain to fully thaw before baking.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Rachel says
I made this for dinner! I’ve cooked chicken (thighs) in the past over potatoes and roasted them. But the chicken got soggy underneath. I tried your recipe with the chicken on a metal rack (I forgot to spray mine but everything was fine!!!) and it helped the whole chicken leg to get crispy instead of soggy!
I served mine with couscous and sautéed spinach.
Thanks for the recipe!
Kathy says
Thank you!!! I'm so glad it worked out for you! 🙂
David @ Spiced says
Haha - I swear the clouds watch me when it comes to grilling. If I pull out the grill, it's bound to rain! If it stays under a cover? Beautiful sunny day! This is a great way to solve that problem! Those chicken legs look like summer on a plate!!
Kathy says
So true! As much as I love grilling, these oven baked legs are a great option too! Saves you from a rainstorm everytime! 🙂