Description
This Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe offers a flavorful and healthy way to enjoy tender, juicy chicken with a smoky, spicy rub and a delicious sugar-free BBQ glaze. Perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering, these drumsticks are baked to perfection and coated with a tangy BBQ sauce for a mouthwatering finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 pounds chicken drumsticks, about 12
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Sauce
- 2 cups sugar-free BBQ sauce or low sugar BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken drumsticks with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Using clean hands, rub the seasoning mixture generously all over each drumstick to coat evenly.
- Marinate: Refrigerate the seasoned chicken drumsticks for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat thoroughly.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Tray: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a roasting tin with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, and arrange a wire rack inside the tin to hold the drumsticks off the base.
- Arrange Drumsticks for Baking: Place the marinated drumsticks on the wire rack, spacing them slightly apart to allow even air circulation and cooking.
- Bake the Drumsticks: Bake the chicken in the center of the oven for 50 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through the baking time to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
- Apply BBQ Sauce: Remove the drumsticks from the oven and brush each one generously with the sugar-free BBQ sauce. Return to the oven and bake for 15 minutes to set the sauce.
- Flip and Sauce Again: Flip the drumsticks once more, brush with additional BBQ sauce, and bake for another 15 minutes to develop a rich glaze and caramelization.
- Serve: Once cooked through and beautifully glazed, serve the baked BBQ chicken drumsticks immediately while hot, and enjoy!
Notes
- The recommended serving size is 2 drumsticks per person.
- Oven temperatures and cook times may vary; you may need to cook the drumsticks for an extra 15-20 minutes or increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a crisper skin.
- For substitutions, chicken breasts or thighs can be used instead of drumsticks.
- You can use your favorite brand of healthy, sugar-free BBQ sauce to tailor the flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheat in the microwave before serving.
- For longer storage, freeze cooked drumsticks in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 drumsticks
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
