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Home » Main Dish

Published: May 9, 2022 · Modified: Dec 16, 2023 by Kathy

Oven 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 cooking on a grill.

Perfect for dinner any time of the year!

Baked BBQ Chicken Legs stacked on a white plate.

BBQ Chicken Legs in Oven

Baked BBQ Chicken Legs are an easy and delicious meal that my family loves. I bake the chicken first to ensure it's perfectly cooked through and juicy, and then I add the BBQ sauce for that irresistible tangy glaze. It’s a simple process that results in flavorful, tender chicken with a crispy finish.

My top tips for perfectly baked BBQ chicken legs:

  • Pat the chicken dry. Before seasoning, make sure to pat the chicken legs dry to help the skin get crispy in the oven.
  • Bake on a rack. For the best results, bake the chicken legs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows the heat to circulate around the chicken, making it crispy on all sides.
  • Bake the chicken first. Bake the chicken until it’s fully cooked before adding the BBQ sauce to prevent burning the sauce and to get crispy skin.
  • Generously coat with sauce. Once the chicken is baked, brush a generous amount of BBQ sauce on each leg, then bake for a few more minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize.

This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or a laid-back weekend meal. The chicken is juicy on the inside and beautifully glazed on the outside.

Baked BBQ Chicken Legs Ingredients

Chicken drumsticks next to a jar of BBQ sauce.

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 the store
  • Salt and pepper

How to make BBQ Drumsticks in Oven

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.

  1. Sprinkle drumsticks with salt and pepper
  2. Place on a greased baking rack over a baking sheet
  3. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 35-45 minutes or until 185°F and the skin is crispy
Adding seasoning to chicken legs.
Partially cooked chicken legs.
  1. 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
  2. Rest chicken for 5-10 minutes before serving
Brushing barbecue sauce on chicken legs.
Cooked chicken legs on a baking rack.

Tips for BBQ Chicken Drumsticks in Oven

  • 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. Flip halfway through cooking time once the BBQ sauce is added. You want the top to be crisp and avoid the bottom from burning.
  • 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 185-195°F. Chicken legs benefit from a higher temperature than chicken breasts. The higher temperature helps break down the connective tissue resulting in more tender chicken.
  • Packages of chicken drumsticks are often sold partially frozen. Be certain to fully thaw before baking.

How to store Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Legs

  • Caesar salad
  • Couscous salad
  • Baked beans
  • Homemade dinner rolls
  • Easy Pasta Salad

You'll also want to check out What to Serve With BBQ Chicken for more delicious side dishes.

How to store 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.

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!

  • Creamy Tuscan Chicken with spinach and tomatoes on a white plate.
    Creamy Tuscan Chicken
  • Easy baked spaghetti casserole in a white baking dish.
    Baked Spaghetti
  • A steak quesadilla cut into wedges and stacked on a wooden board.
    Steak Quesadilla
  • Sheet Pan Shrimp with butter, garlic, parsley and lemon.
    Sheet Pan Shrimp
Baked BBQ Chicken Legs stacked on a white plate.

BBQ Drumsticks in Oven

Kathy Berget
Delicious oven baked chicken drumsticks covered with barbecue sauce.
5 from 43 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 drumsticks
Calories 161 kcal

Equipment

  • Basting Brush
  • Cooling Rack
  • Cookie Sheet
  • Instant Read Thermometer
  • Parchment paper
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 185°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. Flip halfway through cooking time once the BBQ sauce is added. You want the top to be crisp and avoid the bottom from burning.
  • 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 185-195°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
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel says

    April 18, 2023 at 4:39 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 18, 2023 at 8:29 pm

      Thank you!!! I'm so glad it worked out for you! 🙂

      Reply
  2. 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
5 from 43 votes (41 ratings without comment)

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I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

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