Description
This delicious recipe features crispy and tender baked BBQ chicken drumsticks coated with a flavorful blend of spices and finished with a sweet and tangy sugar-free BBQ sauce. Perfectly baked in the oven, these drumsticks make for a satisfying main course that's ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.
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
Sauce
- 2 cups sugar-free BBQ sauce (or low sugar)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, add the chicken drumsticks along with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Using clean hands, generously rub the seasoning all over the drumsticks ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Marinate: Refrigerate the seasoned drumsticks for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat thoroughly.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a roasting tin with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack inside the tin to arrange the drumsticks with some space between each piece for even cooking.
- Bake the Drumsticks: Transfer the marinated drumsticks onto the wire rack and bake them in the middle of the oven for 50 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Apply BBQ Sauce and Finish Baking: Remove the drumsticks from the oven and brush each piece generously with sugar-free BBQ sauce. Return them to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then flip the drumsticks, brush with more BBQ sauce, and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the sauce is caramelized and the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve: Once done, remove the drumsticks from the oven and serve immediately while hot and juicy for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, you can broil the drumsticks for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- If you prefer spicier chicken, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the seasoning mix.
- Any sugar-free or low-sugar BBQ sauce can be used, but homemade BBQ sauce can enhance flavor and control ingredients.
- Using a wire rack helps the heat circulate to cook the drumsticks evenly and lets excess fat drip off.
- Make sure to flip the drumsticks during baking and while applying the BBQ sauce for even caramelization and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick
- Calories: 522 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 2014 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 186 mg
