Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks
My baked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks recipe is easy, simple, and ready in quick time. The lemon pepper chicken legs are packed full of flavor, tender inside with golden brown, crispy skin. I like to serve it as an appetizer or with side dishes like rice, potatoes, vegetables, and pasta.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
This baked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks recipe is simple, and this step-by-step directions will show you how to bake lemon pepper chicken legs in easy steps.
Lemon pepper baked chicken drumsticks are a great choice for when you want delicious chicken that can be served as an appetizer or served with a meal.
The drumsticks are tender and juicy inside, and the skin is crispy. It is bursting with flavors, smells, and tastes yummy.
These chicken legs combine lemon pepper seasoning with fresh lemon, paprika, and onion granules to create a delicious chicken dish.
It is made with 5 basic ingredients and cooks in the oven for 40 minutes or 25 minutes in the air fryer.
Chicken drumsticks are inexpensive and versatile. They can be used in a lot of recipes for finger foods and side dishes, and these pepper lemon drumsticks are a crowd-pleaser. Everyone loves it!
This chicken recipe is high in protein, low carb, nutritious, and delicious.
Related: Oven baked chicken drumsticks
Ingredients
The full ingredient quantities and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Chicken drumsticks
Lemon Pepper seasoning
Lemon
Paprika– I used smoked paprika for that extra smokey flavor. You can use regular Paprika. Paprika adds color to the lemon pepper chicken legs
Parsley– You can substitute this for any other herb like oregano, thyme, or rosemary.
Onion granules– For that aromatic and delicious taste. This can be substituted for onion powder.
Oil– Olive oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil can be used.
How To Cook Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with kitchen towels.
Mix the lemon pepper seasoning, lemon juice, paprika, onion granules, and oil in a bowl.
Add the seasoning mix to the chicken legs and mix till well combined.
Let the chicken drumsticks marinate in the lemon pepper seasoning for at least 30 minutes up to 4 hours if you have the time. If not, continue to the next step immediately.
Arrange the drumsticks on a baking tray in a single layer, leaving space between them.
Lay slices of lemon on the chicken drumsticks (Optional).
Bake lemon pepper chicken drumsticks at 425F/ for 25 minutes.
Flip and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes or until cooked through and the temperature reaches 165F.
Bring the tray out of the oven.
Rest the drumsticks for 5 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.
What To Serve With
The fresh lemon flavor of the chicken pairs well with different foods. Some of the sides to serve with are:
Salads
Rice
Lemon pasta and chicken make a good combination. If you like spice, you can also serve it with spicy pasta.
Vegetables like pan fried carrots, roasted vegetables, and Brussels sprouts go well with it.
Mac and cheese
Potatoes like butter potatoes, fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, and roasted potatoes.
How To Store And Reheat
Let the baked chicken cool completely, then pack them in a sealable container or Ziploc, label and store in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How To Reheat
To reheat in the oven– Arrange the drumsticks on a baking paper lined tray, then reheat in the oven at 200C/400F for 8-10 minutes or until heated through.
Reheat in the microwave– Place chicken on a microwaveable plate, then microwave at high heat at 30-second intervals till it’s heated through.
To reheat in the air fryer– Place in the air fryer basket and air fry at 190C/380F for 4 minutes or until warmed through.
Tips For Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks
- Make it breaded lemon pepper chicken drumsticks by adding 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs or panko to the seasoning mix.
- Most store brands of lemon pepper seasoning contain salt so you should taste it before adding more salt so the chicken doesn’t come out salty.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste. You can add more black pepper or any other herb of your choice.
- Let the baked chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
FAQS
To get all sides crispy, it’s best to turn the drumsticks halfway through cooking but it’s not a must.
Lemon Pepper seasoning is a mix of lemon zest, garlic, black pepper, and salt.
More Chicken Legs Recipes
Air fryer frozen chicken drumsticks
Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Equipment
- Baking tray
Ingredients
- 2 lb (1kg) Chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon Lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon Onion granules
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with kitchen towels.
- Mix the lemon pepper seasoning, lemon juice, paprika, onion granules, and oil in a bowl.
- Add the seasoning mix to the chicken legs and mix till well combined.
- Let the chicken drumsticks marinate in the lemon pepper seasoning for at least 30 minutes up to 4 hours if you have the time.
- Arrange the drumsticks on a baking tray in a single layer leaving space between them. Lay few slices of lemon on the chicken drumsticks (Optional).
- Bake lemon pepper chicken drumsticks at 425F/ for 25 minutesFlip and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes or until cooked through to an internal temperature of at least 165F.
- Bring it out of the oven.Rest the chicken for 5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Make it breaded lemon pepper chicken drumsticks by adding 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs or panko to the seasoning mix.
- Most store brands of lemon pepper seasoning contain salt so you should taste it before adding more salt so the chicken doesn’t come out salty.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste. You can add more black pepper or any other herb of your choice.
- Let the baked chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
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