These BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are bursting at the seams with flavor. The perfect amount of seasonings, with a nice thick layer of BBQ sauce baked on and all in one dish, how can you go wrong?
This cast iron chicken drumstick recipe is a great dinner for any occasion. We always seem to have some sort of chicken in the fridge. I guess because its so easy to throw something together last minute?
When you take your first bite of this BBQ chicken, your taste buds will be overwhelmed by its explosive flavor.
There are a number of ways to cook chicken in cast iron. We cook chicken on the stovetop, bake chicken, boil chicken, fry chicken like my fried chicken tenders, you name it, and if you have a cast iron skillet or dutch oven, you can make it!
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Let us get started on our cast iron chicken legs!
Follow this easy recipe, and you will be enjoying juicy, tender cast iron chicken drumsticks in no time!
- Heavily coat each entire chicken leg in your favorite seasonings (or see the recipe below)
- Heat your skillet on medium heat and coat with olive oil.
- Sear chicken legs on all four sides.
- Bake in a preheated oven for half an hour.
- Carefully remove it from the oven to baste the meat in barbeque sauce before returning it to the oven to finish baking.
*Find complete ingredients and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
Serving suggestions
Cast iron drumsticks are the perfect, high-protein dish. Serve it with dutch oven baked beans and boiled asparagus; after all, you must have some greens.
Simple BBQ Sauce Recipe
- 1 ½ cup of Ketchup
- ⅛ cup of apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup of brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon of soy sauce (or you can use coconut aminos)
- ½ tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tablespoon of lemon juice
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. I then pour it over top of the chicken about 20-30 minutes before it’s done.
Helpful cooking tips/variations
4 reasons why I cook drumsticks in cast iron
Even heat distribution: Cast irons provide excellent heat distribution, ensuring that the chicken drumsticks cook evenly.
The browning and caramelization: Let’s face it, we all want to enjoy that delicious crispy crust. Cast iron makes it even easier to enhance the overall flavor and texture of the dish.
Versatility: Cast iron skillets can be used on the stovetop and in the oven. This way, we can sear the drumsticks on the stovetop and then transfer them in the skillet to the oven to finish cooking.
One Dish: Less time washing a sink full of unnecessary dishes gives you more time to spend with family. Win!
Recipe FAQs
How long do chicken drumsticks take to bake?
Depending on the thickness of the chicken legs, they can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
What temperature should you cook drumsticks at?
The higher the heat, the crispier the legs will be. I like to bake chicken at 400-425°F, which generally takes about 40-50 minutes to cook through.
What internal temperature should I cook chicken drumsticks to?
Chicken must be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165° using an instant meat thermometer.
Can chicken be cooked frozen?
Yes, chicken can be cooked from frozen like these boiled chicken thighs; just add approximately 20-30 minutes to the total cook time.
What is the best way to reheat chicken legs?
Reheat the chicken in an oven-safe container until warm or on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of oil.
Should I cover the cast iron skillet while cooking the drumsticks?
Covering the skillet while cooking the drumsticks in the oven is unnecessary. We leave the skillet uncovered so the chicken develops a crispy exterior. However, if you prefer a more moist and tender result, you can cover the skillet with aluminum foil during part of the cooking time.
Just a few more chicken recipes for you
- Tuscan roasted whole chicken
- Stovetop coconut lime chicken
- Buttermilk fried chicken
- Chicken pot pie
- Cajun roast chicken
Key Takeaways
If you are looking for a budget-friendly, easy dinner recipe tonight, I think you are going to love these cast iron chicken drumsticks!
Mix and match the seasonings to suit your tastebuds and get cooking!
I hope that you love this recipe as much as we do! Consider leaving a review below so I know how you liked it!
Cast Iron Cooked Chicken Drumsticks With Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 Medium-size drumsticks defrosted
- 2 Tablespoons of avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper
- 1 teaspoon each of garlic and onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- Barbecue sauce or see notes for our favorite homemade sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Combine seasonings in a small bowl before coating each drumstick.
- Add the oil to a preheated skillet on medium heat and sear the drumsticks for a total of 4 minutes, flipping every minute.
- Carefully transfer the skillet to the oven to bake for 30 minutes.
- Use oven mitts to remove the skillet and baste the chicken in barbeque sauce before to the oven to finish cooking for an additional 10-20 minutes.
- Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
SIMPLE BBQ SAUCE RECIPE
- 1 ½ cup of Ketchup
- ⅛ cup of apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup of brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon of soy sauce (or you can use coconut aminos)
- ½ tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tbsp of lemon juice
