Chicken drumsticks are often overlooked, but they deserve more attention. They’re affordable, easy to prepare, and full of flavor, making them a great option for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd. From bold and spicy to sweet and sticky, drumsticks can handle just about any seasoning or cooking method. They’re versatile and reliable, whether you’re baking, grilling, or slow cooking. If you haven’t already embraced the drumstick as a go-to choice, these recipes might just change your mind.
Maple Miso Chicken
Coated in a sweet and savory maple-miso glaze, these drumsticks bake until perfectly sticky and golden. It’s a simple recipe that turns chicken into something special without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Maple Miso Chicken
Baked Chicken Drumsticks
These baked drumsticks are proof that simple is great. A quick marinade does the hard work, leaving you with juicy chicken that’s easy to make and hard to resist. Great for weeknights when you just need something reliable that tastes perfect.
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Orange Chicken Drumsticks
Drumsticks coated in a sticky orange glaze that’s just the right balance of tangy and sweet. It’s an easy way to mix up your dinner routine without overthinking it.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken Drumsticks
Greek Chicken Drumsticks
Slow-cooked and packed with bold Mediterranean flavors, these drumsticks fall right off the bone. They’re perfect for when you want a low-effort meal that tastes like it took hours to plan.
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Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
Tangy buffalo sauce turns these drumsticks into the MVP of any game day spread. Juicy, bold, and ridiculously easy to make, they might just outshine wings altogether.
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Spicy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
These drumsticks are seasoned with garlic, herbs, and spices, then baked to perfection. They pack a spicy kick and are great paired with your favorite sides. Simple, bold, and perfect for spicing up your dinner lineup.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks
A one-pan wonder that saves you time and dishes. These drumsticks, loaded with garlic, parmesan, and a hint of red pepper, make dinner feel effortless but still special.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks
Butterfly Chicken Drumsticks
Splitting these drumsticks open before seasoning makes them extra juicy and flavorful. It’s a simple trick that turns an everyday cut into something great for dinner.
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Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven
Oven-baked drumsticks that are as easy as it gets. Whether you’re adding potatoes or keeping it simple, these are perfect for busy nights when dinner needs to practically make itself.
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Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
These drumsticks are juicy, tender, and ready in under 45 minutes. Toss them in a quick marinade and let your Instant Pot do the work. Perfect for when you need dinner fast but still want it to feel like a meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Baked Buffalo Drumsticks
These oven-baked drumsticks swap out wings for a heartier option. Coated in a bold butter and hot sauce mix, they’re ready in under an hour and can be made as mild or as fiery as you like.
Get the Recipe: Baked Buffalo Drumsticks
Baked Sticky Chicken Drumsticks with Cherry Glaze
A sticky glaze made from cherry jam, balsamic vinegar, and treacle takes these drumsticks to the next level. They’re sweet, tangy, and proof that drumsticks can be anything but boring.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sticky Chicken Drumsticks with Cherry Glaze
Jerk Chicken Drumsticks
Marinated in a bold and spicy Jamaican-inspired paste, these drumsticks bring big flavors to your table. Bake or air fry them for a dinner that packs a punch.
Get the Recipe: Jerk Chicken Drumsticks
One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes
A no-fuss dinner with drumsticks and roasted potatoes that practically cooks itself. Throw everything on one pan, and while it bakes, whip up a quick salad for a great meal that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes
Chicken Drumstick Lollipops
Chicken drumsticks get a fun upgrade by trimming them into lollipops. Baked with a flavorful sauce, they’re perfect for family dinners, entertaining, or even as appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Drumstick Lollipops
Healthy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
These baked drumsticks are great for a simple weeknight dinner. Throw everything on a sheet pan, and in 40 minutes, you’ve got a meal that’s flavorful without a ton of work.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks
Marinated in honey, garlic, soy sauce, and pantry staples, these drumsticks come out juicy with a golden, sticky glaze. Perfect for nights when you need dinner to wow without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Drumsticks
Classic fried chicken at its best. These drumsticks are soaked in buttermilk and fried to crispy perfection. Perfect for Sunday dinners or anytime you want fried chicken that’s better than anything you could pick up.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken Drumsticks With Potatoes
An easy sheet pan dinner with drumsticks, potatoes, and carrots that’s great for feeding picky eaters. Minimal prep, easy cleanup, and always a hit at the table.
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Tandoori Chicken
These drumsticks are bold, spicy, and charred in all the right spots. Perfect for when you want a dinner that’s flavorful and just messy enough to be fun.
Get the Recipe: Tandoori Chicken
Bacon Wrapped Drumsticks
Drumsticks wrapped in bacon are as indulgent as they sound. They’re easy to prep and a great way to turn up the flavor for dinner or appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Drumsticks
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.