Oven BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These Oven BBQ Chicken Drumsticks deliver deep barbecue flavor with crispy skin and tender meat—no grill required. Perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or meal prep.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Crispy outside, juicy inside
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Oven-baked, not fried
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Big BBQ flavor with a sticky glaze
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Budget-friendly and kid-approved
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
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10–12 chicken drumsticks (about 1.5–2 kg)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1½ tsp salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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½ tsp chili powder or cayenne (optional)
BBQ Glaze
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¾ cup BBQ sauce (smoky or sweet)
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2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp apple cider vinegar (for balance)
🔥 Instructions
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Preheat oven to 220°C / 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top (for crispier skin).
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Pat drumsticks dry with paper towels—this is key for crispy results.
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Season chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Toss until well coated.
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Arrange on rack, leaving space between each drumstick.
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Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, flipping halfway.
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Make BBQ glaze: In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar.
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Brush generously with glaze and return to oven.
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Bake 10–15 more minutes, turning once and basting again, until caramelized and sticky.
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Optional broil for 2–3 minutes for extra char (watch closely!).
🌡️ Doneness Tip
Chicken is ready when internal temperature reaches 75°C / 165°F, and juices run clear.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
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Coleslaw or potato salad
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Corn on the cob
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Steamed rice or buttered mashed potatoes
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Roasted vegetables or baked beans
🔄 Variations
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Spicy BBQ: Add hot sauce or chipotle powder to glaze
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Asian-Style BBQ: Mix BBQ sauce with hoisin and soy sauce
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Honey-Garlic: Add minced garlic and extra honey
🧊 Storage & Reheating
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Store: Airtight container, up to 4 days in fridge
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Reheat: Oven at 180°C / 350°F for 10–15 minutes (keeps skin crisp)
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons butter
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons chili powder, or to taste
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Whisk water, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, butter, salt, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and chili powder together in a bowl; pour mixture over drumsticks.
Bake in preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour, turning chicken about halfway through.











