Baked Cajun Chicken Drumsticks

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

Chicken drumsticks are the least expensive of the other cuts, making them a terrific budget-friendly meal option. They also have more fat and stay juicy and flavorful even when cooked at high temperatures.

The bold blackening spices enhance the drumstick’s natural juiciness, creating a smoky, crispy crust. This combination brings out a spicy warmth with a touch of earthiness.

I frequently made these spicy chicken drumsticks for my father in his later years because they were tender, flavorful, and easy for him to eat.

This Baked Cajun Chicken Drumstick recipe is:

• So easy! Drizzle the drumsticks with ghee (clarified butter), coat with blackening seasoning, and bake!
• So delicious! The rich flavor of dark meat chicken drumsticks pairs perfectly with blackening seasoning.
• Make ahead! You can coat the chicken drumsticks up to a day ahead of time. Leave uncovered; the blackening seasoning acts as a dry rub, helping the skin dry and become beautifully crispy. These baked chicken drumsticks also reheat very well.

How to Make Cajun Baked Chicken Drumsticks:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Cajun blackened chicken drumsticks recipe. The exact quantities are on the recipe card below.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

• Ghee (Clarified Butter): I like to use ghee when baking these chicken drumsticks for the flavor and the high smoke point. However, a flavorful oil such as avocado or olive is acceptable to use, too.  Ghee is a South Asian clarified butter that has been simmered and strained to remove the water and milk solids. It has a slightly nutty, almost caramel-like flavor and is shelf-stable with a high smoke point, making it ideal for cooking and baking at high temperatures. Ghee is different from French clarified butter, made by melting fresh butter and then straining the clear butter from the milk residue that has settled at the bottom of the pot. Clarifying butter is an easy process to do at home. However, the process of making ghee is more involved, so it is something you probably want to purchase.
• Blackening Seasoning: I highly recommend blending the blackening seasoning yourself. You can control the amount of salt and spice, and it has no additives. Blackening Seasoning Recipe. The Spice Lab has a terrific, additive-free blend if you want to use a commercial blend. Blackening seasoning generally has salt and black pepper, so I don’t add more. If using a salt-free blend, you may wish to add some.
• Chicken Drumsticks: You can also use whole chicken legs, thighs, or turkey legs.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

• Gather and prep all the ingredients.
• Make the Blackening Seasoning if not already made. Combine:
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon granulated onion
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Line a large, rimmed sheet pan with nonstick aluminum foil.
• Brush the ghee over the drumsticks.

• Generously coat the chicken drumsticks with blackening seasoning.
• Place on the prepared baking sheet.

• Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or to an internal temperature of 175-180 degrees.
• The safe temperature for chicken is 165 degrees, but I recommend letting it go to 175-180 degrees.  Dark meat chicken needs extra time and temperature to come off the bone easily.

• Transfer to a platter, garnish with parsley if desired, and enjoy!

Chef Tips and Tricks:

• If you’re not a fan of chicken skin or wish to make these a bit healthier, remove it and coat the drumsticks with the blackening seasoning as directed.
• I prefer ghee when baking these Cajun chicken drumsticks for its rich flavor and high smoke point. However, a flavorful oil like avocado or olive oil works well, too.
• The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F, but I suggest cooking it to 175-180°F. Because chicken drumsticks are dark meat, which means they have more connective tissue than white meat, they benefit from the additional time and heat, making it easier to pull off the bone.

Money-Saving Tip:

• Blend your own blackening spice if you already have a well-stocked spice pantry.

Storage:

• Store any leftovers in the refrigerator. Reheat and enjoy within five days.

Serve this chicken drumsticks recipe with:

• Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes
• Potato and Sweet Potato Bake
• Green Chile au Gratin Potatoes
• Twice-Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon

More easy chicken recipes you’ll love!

• Thai Red Curry Chicken Legs
• Curry Chicken Thighs
• Baked Greek Chicken
• Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

Get all my chicken recipes at Chicken Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen.