Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Buffalo-Style

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 02/15/22
Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Buffalo-Style
Photo: Diana Rattray
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 75 mins
Total: 95 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

These delicious chicken drumsticks are baked with garlic and olive oil, then they are coated with hot sauce and drizzled with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Packed with flavor and just a touch of heat, these drumsticks make a great snack or dinner entree. They are delicious with fries and coleslaw, potato salad, or a rice dish.

This drumstick recipe can easily be scaled up to feed more people as needed, and since they're baked they can be thrown in the oven and cooking while you're prepping other appetizers or the remainder of the meal. Inexpensive and budget-friendly, plus kids love drumsticks making this a great weeknight or weekend dinner for the family. Just plan on having two drumsticks per person, and one drumstick for each younger child.

Be sure to serve these flavorful chicken drumsticks with more dressing on the side and you can change up the heat as you or your family desires.

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Ingredients

  • 2 to 3 pounds chicken legs, about 10 to 12 drumsticks

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 3 cloves garlic, put through a press or finely minced

  • 3/4 cup hot sauce

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Pre Heat oven to 350 F.

  2. Line a large rimmed baking pan with foil and then place a cake cooling rack in the pan.

  3. Pat the chicken pieces with paper towels to dry thoroughly. Toss the chicken with the olive oil and garlic.

  4. Arrange the chicken legs on the rack and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

  5. Turn and bake for 20 minutes longer.

  6. Increase heat to 400 F and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes longer, until nicely browned.

  7. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and hot sauce. Toss the hot cooked drumsticks with the sauce mixture.

  8. Arrange the chicken on a serving platter and drizzle with Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.

  9. Serve the drumsticks with more dressing on the side.

Tips

  • Use all or part chicken thighs along with the drumsticks.
  • Be sure they are done by using a food thermometer. Chicken legs are done when they reach at least 165 F. Insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat away from bone or fat.

Recipe Variation

  • For extra heat, add some ground cayenne pepper, to taste, to the hot sauce and butter mixture.

How to Store

  • Any leftover baked drumsticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about three to five days. Simply reheat in the oven and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
531 Calories
33g Fat
1g Carbs
55g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 531
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 33g 42%
Saturated Fat 10g 51%
Cholesterol 303mg 101%
Sodium 269mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 55g
Vitamin C 1mg 6%
Calcium 32mg 2%
Iron 3mg 14%
Potassium 621mg 13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)