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5 from 1 vote

Sticky Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks With a 7-Spice Rub

These sticky oven baked BBQ chicken drumsticks use a smoky 7-spice dry rub and a two-stage baking method that produces crispy skin, juicy fall-off-the-bone meat, and a caramelized BBQ glaze that tastes like it came off the grill. Ready in under an hour with one bowl and a baking sheet.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked BBQ chicken legs, baked chicken legs 400 degrees, BBQ chicken legs spice rub, caramelized BBQ chicken drumsticks, easy baked drumsticks recipe, family dinner chicken legs, oven baked chicken drumsticks crispy skin, smoked paprika chicken drumsticks, sticky BBQ chicken oven, sticky oven baked BBQ chicken drumsticks
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 465kcal
Author: George - U Keep Cooking

Equipment

  • Large Baking Sheet Pan
  • Wire Rack
  • Sauce Brush
  • Tongs

Ingredients

  • 5 lbs Chicken Legs (chicken leg family pack 10-12 drumsticks)
  • 3 tablespoons Avocado Oil (rub all over the chicken legs)

Chicken Rub Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon Paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Onion Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Dried Thyme
  • Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper (to taste)
  • 1 cup Barbecue Sauce ( I used Sweet Baby Rays)

Instructions

  • Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top if you want crispier skin.
  • Prep the Chicken: Pat the 5 lbs. of chicken legs dry with paper towels to help the skin get crispy. Place them in a large bowl or on a tray.
  • Rub with Oil: Drizzle 3 tablespoons of avocado oil over the chicken legs and rub it all over to coat them evenly.
  • Mix the Rub: In a small bowl, mix together-- 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp dried thyme, Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • Season the Chicken: Sprinkle the seasoning mix all over the oiled chicken legs. Rub it in with your hands to make sure every piece is coated well.
    **Pro Tip: I like to pour the spices into an empty spice shaker. This way no spices are wasted and can be used another day if anything is left over.
  • Bake the Chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken legs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the oven at 400°F for 35–40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F inside and the skin is crisp.
  • Add BBQ Sauce: Take the chicken out of the oven and brush each piece with Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce (or your favorite kind). Be generous—it should be nice and saucy!
  • Return to the Oven: Pop the chicken back in the oven for 10 more minutes, or until the BBQ sauce is bubbly and caramelized.
  • Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Grab some napkins and dig in—these are sticky, juicy, and packed with flavor!

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 522mg | Potassium: 478mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1212IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg