This oven-baked chicken is an ideal go-to for an effortless weeknight dinner. Prep takes only minutes and most of the time is hands-off while the chicken roasts. With just a pan, drumsticks, olive oil, butter and a few seasonings, you’ll get juicy, tender, flavorful chicken with minimal cleanup.
When I think “easy dinner,” I want something fast to prepare, low effort, and with quick cleanup—something that doesn’t require standing over the stove. This baked chicken fits that bill perfectly. Line a baking dish, place the drumsticks inside, drizzle olive oil, season, dot with butter, and bake. No chopping, no complicated prep, no fuss.
This recipe is a reliable fallback after a long day. A simple, make-ahead side like a pasta salad pairs beautifully and stretches your meals into leftovers for lunches the next day.
How To Make Easy Oven Chicken
Minimal work, maximum reward. Follow these straightforward steps:
Baking dish. Line a 9×13 rectangular baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Arrange the chicken. Place the drumsticks in the prepared dish, spacing them evenly so they cook uniformly.
Season and oil. Drizzle olive oil over the drumsticks, then sprinkle with salt, pepper and Italian herb seasoning to taste.
Butter. Cut butter into small pats and place a pat on each drumstick. The melting butter helps keep the meat moist and adds richness to the pan juices.
Bake. Roast at 450°F (230°C) for about 40 minutes. The final 10 minutes help the skin brown and crisp. Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer — the thickest part of the drumstick should reach 170°F (77°C). Remove from the oven and rest 15 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.
More Easy Recipes
- One Pot Skinny Chicken Parmesan
- 20 Minute Creamy Pumpkin Ravioli
- 30 Minute Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
- 15 Minute Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
- 30 Minute Instant Pot Ribs
Easy Oven Chicken
12 chicken drumsticks
5 minutes
40 minutes
45 minutes
Quick to prep and mostly hands-off while baking, this drumstick recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken with a simple seasoning blend.
Ingredients
- 12 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tbsp butter
- Olive oil
- 2 tsp Italian herb seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Arrange the drumsticks in the dish with the handle ends facing inward so they cook evenly.
- Drizzle olive oil over the chicken.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt and pepper over the drumsticks.
- Cut butter into small cubes and place a piece on each drumstick.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the thickest part reaches 170°F (77°C). The last 10 minutes will help the skin crisp and brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 195
Total Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 121mg
Sodium: 185mg
Carbohydrates: 0g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g
Protein: 22g
Nutrition figures are estimates from online calculators and should be used as a guideline.
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