Crispy Baked Breaded Chicken Drumsticks (Super Easy!)

This baked breaded chicken drumsticks recipe is your ticket to a simple, yet incredibly flavorful dinner. The drumsticks are marinated to perfection, baked until tender and juicy on the inside, but crunchy on the outside, promising a meal that's as satisfying as it is easy to prepare.

If you're looking for a meal that's a guaranteed hit with the kids and easy to prep ahead, this baked breaded chicken drumsticks recipe is your answer. Paired with pasta or mashed potatoes and your favorite salad, it's a hearty meal that also makes for fantastic lunch box leftovers.

This recipe is a family favorite, and if you enjoy it, you might also like my baked Christmas chicken, a festive dish that's sure to become a holiday tradition. For a similar, but slightly different take, our perfectly marinated BBQ chicken drumsticks are a delicious alternative.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: Even if you're a beginner in the kitchen, you'll find this recipe straightforward and uncomplicated.
• Tasty: The combination of Mrs. Dash seasoning, garlic salt, and Italian bread crumbs gives these drumsticks a deliciously savory flavor.
• Classic Flavors: This recipe uses classic seasonings that are sure to please everyone's palate.
• Family Favorite: These drumsticks are a hit with both kids and adults alike, making them a perfect family meal.
• Comfort Food: There's something incredibly comforting about a plate of these juicy, crispy drumsticks.
• Budget-Friendly: This recipe uses chicken drumsticks, a cost-effective cut of meat, making it a budget-friendly option without compromising on flavor or quality.

Key Ingredients

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this baked breaded chicken drumsticks recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Chicken Drumsticks: The star of our dish, these will provide a hearty and satisfying protein base.
• Mrs. Dash Seasonings: This will add a burst of flavor to our chicken, enhancing the natural tastes and adding a hint of spice.
• Garlic Salt: A touch of this will infuse our chicken with a subtle, savory garlic flavor.
• Italian Bread Crumbs: These will give our chicken a delicious, crispy coating, adding both texture and flavor to the final dish.

How to Make Baked Breaded Chicken Drumsticks

Making these incredible baked breaded chicken drumsticks is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:

For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.

Preparation

If you prefer, you can remove the skins from the drumsticks. This is optional, but we find the dish tastes better without them. 

Soak the drumsticks for a couple of hours, changing the water every 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse the drumsticks and place them in a strainer to drain the excess water.

Season the Drumsticks

Next, place the drumsticks into a large glass bowl with a lid or a gallon Ziploc bag. Measure out the seasonings, mix them together, and sprinkle them over the drumsticks. 

Make sure all the drumsticks are evenly coated with the seasoning. Once done, close the bowl or bag and refrigerate it overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Coat and Bake the Drumsticks

The next day, remove the drumsticks from the fridge and mix them again. Coat the drumsticks with Italian bread crumbs. 

Arrange the drumsticks on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle the coated drumsticks with garlic salt. Bake the drumsticks for 45 minutes at 425 F.

Serve the Drumsticks

Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before transferring the drumsticks to a platter. Enjoy your baked breaded chicken drumsticks with any of your favorite side dishes!

Tips for Making the Best Baked Breaded Chicken Drumsticks

• Soak the drumsticks: Before cooking, soak the drumsticks for a couple of hours, changing the water every 30 minutes. This will help to remove any impurities and guarantee that the drumsticks are clean and ready for seasoning.
• Season well: Use a mix of Mrs. Dash seasoning, garlic salt, sea salt, and black ground pepper to season your drumsticks. Make sure to coat all drumsticks evenly for a flavorful result.
• Marinate for maximum flavor: After seasoning, refrigerate the drumsticks overnight or for at least 8 hours. This will allow the seasonings to penetrate deeply into the drumsticks, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
• Coat with bread crumbs: Before baking, coat the drumsticks with Italian bread crumbs. This will give your drumsticks a delicious, crispy exterior.
• Let it cool: After baking, let the drumsticks cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a platter. This will make them easier to handle and allow the flavors to settle. Enjoy your baked breaded chicken drumsticks with any of your favorite side dishes!

Serving Suggestions 

• For a hearty dinner, pair these baked breaded chicken drumsticks with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. The smooth, buttery potatoes and the crisp, fresh vegetables complement the savory drumsticks perfectly.
• Want a picnic-friendly option? Serve these drumsticks with a refreshing coleslaw and corn on the cob. The tangy coleslaw and sweet corn make a delicious contrast to the seasoned drumsticks.
• For a light lunch, try serving these drumsticks with Caesar Salad with homemade dressing. The crisp, fresh greens and the tangy dressing balance the rich flavors of the drumsticks.
• These drumsticks also make great finger food for parties. Serve them with a selection of dips like barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch for a fun, interactive meal.

Recipe Variation Ideas 

This delicious baked breaded chicken drumsticks recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:

• Barbecue: For a smoky, tangy twist, try adding 2 tablespoons of your favorite barbecue sauce to the seasoning mix. This will give your chicken drumsticks a delicious barbecue flavor that's perfect for summer cookouts.
• Herb: If you love the fresh flavors of herbs, this variation is for you. Add a tablespoon of mixed dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano to the seasoning mix. This will give your chicken drumsticks a wonderful herby aroma and flavor that's guaranteed to impress your guests.
• Spicy: If you're a fan of heat, this variation is for you. Simply add a teaspoon of chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix. This will give your chicken drumsticks a spicy twist that's sure to please your taste buds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store leftover baked breaded chicken drumsticks in an airtight sealed container in the fridge. They will keep well for up to 3 days.
• Reheat Instructions: To reheat, place the drumsticks in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in a microwave, but the oven method helps to keep the bread crispy.
• Freeze: Unfortunately, freezing is not recommended for this recipe. The breading on the chicken drumsticks may become soggy when thawed and reheated.

Similar Recipes You'll Love

• Super Easy Crusted Parmesan Chicken (Perfectly Golden-Brown)
• Breaded Parmesan Chicken Breast
• Breaded Parmesan Chicken Skewers (Soft, Tender, and Juicy!)

See all chicken recipes.

Recipe Card

Baked Breaded Chicken Drumsticks

Valya's Taste of Home

This baked breaded chicken drumsticks l tender and juicy on the inside, but crunchy on the outside for a meal that's as satisfying as it is easy to prepare.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 8 hours hrs

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 8 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Course Chicken

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

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For the Breaded Chicken Drumsticks

• ▢ 6 lbs - chicken drumsticks
• ▢ 1 tbsp. – Mrs. Dash seasoning
• ▢ ½ tbsp. – garlic salt
• ▢ 1 tsp. – sea salt
• ▢ ¼ tsp. – black ground pepper
• ▢ 1½ cups – Italian bread crumbs

Read More

Instructions

 

How to Make Baked Breaded Chicken Drumsticks

• ▢
  If you prefer, you can remove the skins from the drumsticks. This is optional, but we find the dish tastes better without them.
• ▢
  Soak the drumsticks for a couple of hours, changing the water every 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse the drumsticks and place them in a strainer to drain the excess water.

Season the Drumsticks

• ▢
  Next, place the drumsticks into a large glass bowl with a lid or a gallon Ziploc bag. Measure out the seasonings, mix them together, and sprinkle them over the drumsticks.
• ▢
  Make sure all the drumsticks are evenly coated with the seasoning. Once done, close the bowl or bag and refrigerate it overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Coat and Bake the Drumsticks

• ▢
  The next day, remove the drumsticks from the fridge and mix them again. Coat the drumsticks with Italian bread crumbs.
• ▢
  Arrange the drumsticks on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle the coated drumsticks with garlic salt. Bake the drumsticks for 45 minutes at 425 F.

Serve the Drumsticks

• ▢
  Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before transferring the drumsticks to a platter. Enjoy your baked breaded chicken drumsticks with any of your favorite side dishes!

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This recipe was originally posted on July 19, 2014 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.