Lemon pepper chicken drumsticks are one of our favorite recipes for dinner. The Chicken legs are marinated in lemon pepper and garlic and baked to perfection.
This is a family friendly chicken recipe you’ll make over and over. The baked chicken comes out juicy, tender and packed full of flavor. See our how to butterfly chicken drumsticks guide if you want to cut down on cooking time for bigger pieces.
This recipe post contains helpful tips, tricks and answers to FAQs. Please read through to ensure you get the recipe right when you try it.
Table of Contents
Baked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks recipe
Chicken legs are super easy to make and like chicken thighs are dark meat and are more forgiving than white meat. My eyes are on you chicken breasts!
This simply means that this recipe is beginner friendly and there’s no worry about getting the meat dried out.
These baked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks recipe uses simple ingredients with a flavorful outcome. We love juicy chicken so this slow cooker chicken adobo is next on my list to try.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy: With a few ingredients mixed together you get a tasty restaurant quality meal at home.
- Family friendly: Chicken drumsticks are a pick me uppers that are picky eater approved.
- Delicious: This recipe turns out juicy, and delicious every time.
- Budget friendly: Chicken drumsticks are an affordable cut of chicken.
Ingredients
- Chicken drumsticks
- Granulated garlic
- Fresh garlic cloves
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Oil
- Butter
- Black pepper
- Basil
Tools used for this recipe
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- Mixing bowls
- Kitchen tongs
- Baking pan
- Parchment paper / foil
How to bake lemon pepper chicken drumsticks
See printable recipe card at the end of this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions!
Oven method:
Mix the melted butter, oil, lemon zest, juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper together in a bowl.
Pour it over the chicken and mix till chicken is well coated. Let it marinate for 15 to 30 mins
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) Transfer chicken to a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 mins, using a pair of tongs, turn chicken over, then continue to cook for another 10 to 15 mins or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)
Air fryer method
Place seasoned and marinated chicken in the air fryer basket or tray. Set temperature to 400°F (200°C) and air fry for 20 to 25 mins or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
✨Remember to keep an eye on the chicken towards the end of the cooking time to avoid overcooking, as it can make the meat dry.
What to serve with lemon pepper chicken legs
Lemon pepper chicken legs pair well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some suggestions:
Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or carrots complement the flavors. You can also prepare a fresh salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Grains: Serve with rice pilaf, couscous, or quinoa for a balanced meal.
Potatoes: Roasted or mashed potatoes seasoned with herbs like rosemary or thyme are a classic choice.
Bread: A slice of crusty bread or dinner rolls can be great for soaking up the delicious juices.
Sauces/Dips: Consider adding a side of tzatziki, garlic aioli, or a simple yogurt-based sauce to complement the flavors of the chicken.
How to store and Reheat
Storage: Allow the chicken legs to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Place chicken in baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. The foil helps keep them moist. Alternatively air fry at 350°F for 6 to 8 mins.
You can also reheat them in the microwave. Place one or two legs on a microwavable plate, cover with a paper towel, and microwave in 30 second intervals until warmed through. Take care not to overcook them.
Tips
- To add a bit more color to these baked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks, you can add paprika to the ingredients. (I recommend 1 teaspoon of paprika)
- For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken legs for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours, or even overnight if time permits.
- To enhance the lemony flavor, baste the chicken with the drippings halfway through baking. You can also place thin slices of lemon on top of the chicken while baking.
- Once done, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful chicken.
- You may need to adjust your cooking time based on your oven and the size of the chicken legs.
FAQs
Definitely! Simply place seasoned chicken legs in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 20 to 25 mins or until internal temp reads 165°F (74°C)
On the average it takes 40 to 45 mins to bake chicken legs in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) if you cook at a lower temp it will likely take a bit longer. Also if the drumsticks are very large, it will take longer. The best judge for meat doneness is the internal temp which should be 165°F (74°C). Additionally the chicken juices should run clear.
Yes you can use store-bought or homemade lemon pepper seasoning instead of the fresh lemon zest and lemon joint used in this recipe. To do so, use a tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning for this recipe
Yes you can use any part of chicken. Bone-in or Boneless Chicken thighs, chicken wings, chicken wings or whole chicken. You will need to adjust cooking time accordingly.
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Baked lemon pepper chicken legs
Ingredients
- 8 medium chicken drumsticks
- 2 cloves garlic (grated)
- 2 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoons oregano substitute with basil or Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Instructions
Marinade:
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, melted butter, lemon juice, salt, spices, grated garlic and lemon zest. Whisk until well blended and smooth.
- Add the chicken legs to the bowl and turn to coat all over with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes if time allows.
Baking in the oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place marinated chicken legs on the prepared baking sheet and spoon any extra marinade over the top.
- Bake for 25 minutes, then flip chicken and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
- Chicken is done when juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) add more time as needed.
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes. Serve garnished with lemon slices and fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy!
Air frying
- Season and marinate the chicken legs as described above. Then arrange them in the air fryer basket.
- Set temperature to 400°F (200°C) no need to preheat then air fry for 20 to 25 mins or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remember to flip the chicken halfway through cooking time.
- Let it rest for about 5 mins before serving.
Notes
- To add a bit more color to these baked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks, you can add paprika to the ingredients. (I recommend 1 teaspoon of paprika)
- For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken legs for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours, or even overnight if time permits.
- To enhance the lemony flavor, baste the chicken with the drippings halfway through baking. You can also place thin slices of lemon on top of the chicken while baking.
- Once done, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful chicken.
- You may need to adjust your cooking time based on your oven and the size of the chicken legs
So what do you think?