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Home » Main Dish » Baked BBQ Chicken Legs

Published: May 9, 2022 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Baked BBQ Chicken Legs

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Chicken legs on a baking rack.

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!

A plate filled with chicken legs covered in barbecue sauce.
Table of Contents
BBQ chicken in the oven
Key ingredients
Step by step directions
Recipe tips
Frequently asked questions
Serving suggestions
More delicious chicken dishes
Baked BBQ Chicken Legs

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!

Key ingredients

Chicken drumsticks next to a jar of BBQ sauce.

  • Chicken drumsticks
  • BBQ sauce - make your own BBQ sauce or purchase from store
  • Salt and pepper

Step by step directions

  • 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
Adding seasoning to chicken legs.
Partially cooked chicken legs.
  • 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
Brushing barbecue sauce on chicken legs.
Cooked chicken legs on a baking rack.

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

How do I store leftover baked BBQ chicken legs?

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.

Can I freeze baked chicken legs?

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

  • Caesar salad
  • Couscous salad
  • Baked beans
  • Homemade dinner rolls

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
Chicken drumsticks covered with barbecue sauce.

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!

  • Ground Turkey Enchiladas
  • Teriyaki Wings
  • Honey BBQ Wings
  • Baked Trout
A plate filled with chicken legs covered in barbecue sauce.

Baked BBQ Chicken Legs

Kathy
Delicious oven baked chicken drumsticks covered with barbecue sauce.
5 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 drumsticks
Calories 161 kcal

Equipment

  • Basting Brush
  • Cooling Rack
  • Cookie Sheet
Prevent your screen from going dark

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 pepper
    12 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 brown
    1 cup BBQ sauce
  • Rest chicken for 5-10 minutes before serving
  • Sprinkle with parsley, if desired
    1 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drumstickCalories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 14gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 421mgPotassium: 225mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 88IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Baked BBQ Chicken, Oven Baked Chicken
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

« Cinnamon French Toast
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken »
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Comments

  1. David @ Spiced says

    May 10, 2022 at 4:56 am

    5 stars
    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!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 10, 2022 at 5:39 am

      So true! As much as I love grilling, these oven baked legs are a great option too! Saves you from a rainstorm everytime! 🙂

      Reply

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I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics.

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