Description
Golden crispy chicken drumsticks coated in buttery garlic-Parmesan mixture that gets crusty and delicious in the oven. Juicy, tender meat that practically falls off the bone. Budget-friendly and kid-approved.
Ingredients
6-8 chicken drumsticks (about 2-2.5 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and set a wire rack on top if you have one.
2. Pat chicken legs completely dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss dried drumsticks with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
3. Arrange seasoned chicken legs on prepared rack or baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until skin starts turning golden and internal temperature is close to 165°F.
4. While chicken bakes, melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Remove chicken from oven and use pastry brush or spoon to generously coat each drumstick with garlic-Parmesan butter. Make sure to get all the garlicky, cheesy bits onto the chicken.
6. Return pan to oven for another 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly crispy and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
7. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Drying chicken legs before seasoning is critical for crispy skin.
Don’t add garlic-Parmesan coating too early or it will burn.
Internal temperature matters more than time – use a thermometer.
Space out chicken legs on pan to prevent steaming.
For extra crispy skin, crank oven to 425°F for last 5-10 minutes.
Fresh Parmesan melts and browns better than pre-grated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American