Description
This Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe offers tender, flavorful chicken coated with a smoky, spice-packed rub and glazed with sugar-free BBQ sauce. Perfect for a healthy, delicious dinner that’s easy to prepare and sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 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
BBQ 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. Use clean hands to generously rub the seasoning all over each drumstick, ensuring an even coat.
- Marinate: Refrigerate the seasoned drumsticks for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat deeply.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a roasting tin lined with aluminum foil if desired for easy cleanup, and place a wire rack inside the tin.
- Arrange chicken for baking: Place the drumsticks spaced evenly on the wire rack in the roasting tin to promote even cooking and air circulation.
- Bake first phase: Bake the drumsticks on the middle oven rack for 50 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
- Apply BBQ sauce: Remove the drumsticks from the oven and brush each one generously with sugar-free BBQ sauce. Return the chicken to the oven.
- Final baking with sauce: Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the drumsticks and brush more BBQ sauce. Bake an additional 15 minutes to develop a sticky, flavorful glaze.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the drumsticks immediately for the best flavor and juiciness. Enjoy!
Notes
- Serving size is 2 drumsticks per person.
- Oven temperatures and cooking times may vary; you may need to increase the bake time by 15-20 minutes or raise the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for crispier skin.
- You can substitute chicken breasts or thighs if preferred.
- Use your favorite healthy or sugar-free BBQ sauce for the best flavor match.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave when ready to eat.
- 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: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
