Crispy Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks

5 from 1 vote

Crispy Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks

These crispy Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks are bursting with zesty flavor and are incredibly easy to make. Chicken legs are a very affordable cut of chicken, making them great for feeding a crowd.

Prep Time20

Cook Time30

Total Time50

Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Author: Brianna May

Equipment

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
zest of 1 small lemon
2 teaspoons lemon pepper
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
6 chicken drumsticks (legs), about 2 pounds
juice of 1 small lemon
1 1/2 teaspoons Morton kosher salt*
fresh cracked black pepper

Instructions

Make the Lemon Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, lemon zest, lemon pepper, and granulated garlic. Set aside.
2 Tablespoons salted butter, melted, zest of 1 small lemon, 2 teaspoons lemon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
Toss and Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the chicken drumsticks with the lemon juice until evenly coated. Let them marinate for 15-20 minutes at room temperature if time allows.
6 chicken drumsticks (legs), about 2 pounds, juice of 1 small lemon
Season the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place the marinated drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pat them dry with a paper towel. Season them with the salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Spray them generously with olive oil or avocado oil spray.
1 1/2 teaspoons Morton kosher salt*, fresh cracked black pepper
Bake and Broil: Bake the drumsticks on the upper rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) on an instant read meat thermometer. If needed, carefully move the drumsticks to the middle rack and broil for 2-3 minutes to achieve a crispy finish. Once done, brush the drumsticks with the lemon butter mixture and serve hot.

Notes

Lemon Pepper: Gives the classic lemon pepper chicken wing flavor. Be sure to use a high-quality brand, like Simply Organic.
Chicken Drumsticks: Bone-in, skin-on thighs can be used instead of drumsticks. Chicken breasts will dry out too much, so I don’t recommend using them.
Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!

Nutrition