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Baked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks with lemon slices on a serving platter.
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Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks (Legs) – Baked or Grilled!

Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks are made with fresh zesty lemon and black pepper. They can be baked for a tender texture or grilled for a smoky, charred flavor. 
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: International
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 10
Calories: 136kcal
Author: Swati Kadam Gulati

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 10 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2-3 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 2 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil (some extra to grease the baking sheet)
  • salt

Instructions

  • Preparing Chicken Drumsticks: Pat dry the drumsticks to remove excess water. Then, using a sharp knife, make a couple of cuts at an angle at the thickest part of the meat.
  • Marinating: In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, paprika, black pepper, minced garlic, fresh parsley, oil, and salt; mix well. Add chicken drumsticks and coat well with the marinade.
  • Baking: Preheat the oven to 375F. Grease the baking sheet with oil. Arrange the marinated drumsticks without touching each other. Bake them for about 30-35 minutes or until well done. See notes if you want to grill them.
  • Broiling: Turn broiler mode on and broil the chicken drumsticks for 2-3 minutes. Watch closely and remove them from the oven when you get the desired color.
  • Serving: Let them rest for a few minutes to distribute the juices and serve warm.

Notes

  1. Marination time: Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it will be. Refrigerate it if you plan to marinate it for over one hour and bring it to room temperature before cooking.
  2. Broiling: You can skip this step. Just that the drumsticks won't have a brownish-roasted color. However, they will be more juicy and tender as they are not exposed to high temperatures.
  3. Grilled Chicken Drumsticks: Preheat the barbecue grill to 400F. Arrange the marinated drumsticks on the grill, cover, and cook them for about 30 minutes or until well done. Turn them a few times to avoid burning and to develop a nice, even char on all sides. Cooking time may vary depending on the grill type.
  4. When are chicken drumsticks fully cooked? The chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature at the thickest part of the meat reaches 165-175F (without the temperature probe touching the bone).
  5. Serving: Serve them with your favorite chicken wings sauce for an appetizer or as a protein-rich side dish for a wholesome meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 202IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg