Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks Recipe (2024)

This baked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks recipe is easy, simple, and ready in a quick time. The lemon pepper chicken legs are packed full of flavor, tender inside with golden brown crispy skin. Serve 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 lemon pepper 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 chicken dish that everyone will love.

These lemon pepper drumsticks are made with 5 basic ingredients and cook 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 this lemon pepper chicken drumsticks is a crowd-pleaser. Everyone loves it!

This chicken recipe is high in protein, low carb, nutritious, and delicious. Let me show you how to cook lemon pepper chicken drumsticks.

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- I used a store bought lemon pepper seasoning. If you don't have this at home, you can make yours by mixing lemon juice, zest, garlic, and black pepper.

Lemon- For the juice and to add the slices to the chicken if desired.

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, 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.

Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks Air Fryer

If you have an air fryer, you can bake lemon pepper drumsticks in air fryer in as little as 25 minutes. To do this, follow the directions below:

Pat the drumsticks dry.

Mix the lemon pepper seasoning, lemon juice, paprika, onion granules, and oil in a bowl.

Add the seasoning to the drumsticks and mix till well combined.

Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket or rack.

Air fry drumsticks at 400F/200C for 15 minutes then flip the drumsticks and continue to air fry for another 10 minutes or until cooked.

Bring out of the air fryer.

Serve and enjoy.

How Long To Cook Chicken Drumsticks In The Oven

After seasoning and marinating the chicken drumsticks, how long to cook it in the oven is 45 minutes at a temperature of 400F/200C.

Arrange on a baking tray and cook for 25 minutes then flip and cook for another 20-25 minutes.

It is cooked when the inside is tender and the skin is crispy and golden brown.

It is worth noting the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken drumsticks, and if using a fan oven or convection oven,so you might need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Drumsticks are cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165F at the thickest part when read with an instant-read thermometer.

What To Serve With

The fresh lemon flavor of the lemon pepper drumsticks pairs well with different foods. Some of the sides to serve with are:

Salads,

All these Rice dishes pair well with lemon chicken.

Lemon pasta and lemon 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 boiled potatoes, butter potatoes, fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, and roasted potatoes.

How To Store And Reheat

Let the baked lemon pepper drumsticks cool completely then pack them in a sealable container or Ziploc, label then 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 seconds 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 Making Lemon Pepper Drumsticks

• If you want, you can 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

More Chicken Drumsticks Recipes

Oven baked chicken drumsticks

Air fryer frozen chicken drumsticks

Deep fried chicken legs

Spicy chicken drumsticks

Air fryer chicken drumsticks

Marinated chicken drumsticks

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