Lemon Basil Baked Chicken Drumsticks
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These baked chicken drumsticks are the perfect weeknight dinner recipe! With an easy marinade packed with fresh lemon flavors, this baked chicken recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
I am always looking for easy recipes that I know my family will devour. Chicken is always a favorite in this house and this recipe for lemon basil baked chicken was a hit too. And, with a recipe this simple, I will never mind making it over and over.
The recipe combines a few simple ingredients to make the marinade for the chicken legs. From there, you can marinate the chicken for as little as 30 minutes up to overnight. I love the flexibility because it means I put the chicken in the marinade the night before and then just bake the chicken drumsticks when I’m ready to cook dinner.
Lemon Basil Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken Drumsticks – I use the large drumsticks.
- Neutral Oil
- Garlic Cloves
- Dried Basil
- Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice works best here but you can use bottled in a pinch.
- Dijon Mustard
- Salt and Pepper
- Crushed Red Pepper – This is option but adds a nice little hint of spice.
- Nonstick cooking spray
How to Make Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Making this baked chicken recipe is so easy! Once you are done marinating the chicken, you simply add it to a baking sheet and pop it into the oven. One quick flip halfway through cooking and that is it. The perfect hands-off cooking recipe for a busy night!
I typically serve these lemon basil baked chicken drumsticks with a quick side salad and roasted potatoes but the possibilities are endless. Just pick your favorite sides and you’ve got dinner on the table easily.
Lemon Basil Chicken Notes
A few notes on this recipe for lemon basil baked chicken:
- I use large chicken drumsticks for my recipe testing. You can substitute with smaller drumsticks, chicken breasts, or chicken thighs but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time.
- I use a basil paste (similar to this one) in the marinade but you can easily substitute with dried basil.
- I line the baking sheet with nonstick foil for easier clean-up but it is option.
More Easy Weeknight Meals
If you like this recipe for oven baked chicken, be sure to try these other great options for easy, weeknight meals:
- Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole
- Creamy Chicken Marsala Casserole
- Chicken Taco Roll-ups
- Feta Turkey Meatloaf Muffins
Lemon Basil Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs chicken drumsticks about 6 large drumsticks
- 2 Tbsp avocado or olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1.5 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper optional
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together oil, garlic, basil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Add crushed red pepper, if using. Whisk to combine. Reserve 1/4 of the marinade.2 Tbsp avocado or olive oil, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 tsp dried basil, 1.5 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
- Add chicken drumsticks to large bowl or Ziploc bag. Pour remaining 3/4 of marinade over the drumsticks and toss to coat. Cover bowl or seal bag and marinate for 30 minutes (up to overnight) in the fridge.2.5 lbs chicken drumsticks
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove chicken from the fridge while the oven preheats.
- Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil. Spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Add chicken, skin side down, and brush with reserved marinade. Discard marinade from bowl or Ziploc bag.Nonstick cooking spray
- Bake chicken in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Flip chicken over and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until internal temperature has reached at least 165 degrees.
- Switch oven to broil and broil chicken for 2-3 minutes. Remove from oven and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
