Easy Baked Curry Chicken Drumsticks (Legs)

Get dinner on the table in just 30 minutes with this easy oven-baked curry chicken drumsticks recipe that you will totally love!! These chicken legs are crispy, perfectly flavored with curry, and are keto, paleo, and whole 30 compliant! Pair them up with some tasty low-carb celeriac fries, air fryer chips, or some mango habanero salsa for a complete meal.

Don't skip to the recipe card just yet. You don't want to miss out on ONE OR MORE USEFUL RECIPE TIPS in the post!! I have also provided a video on how I made this dish, in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

If you love chicken as I do, then you certainly want to check out these instant pot chicken wings cooked three ways, these air fryer chicken schnitzel, or this oven-baked chicken leg quarters recipe.

Jump to:

• Reasons to love
• Kitchen equipment
• Ingredients
• How to make oven-baked curry chicken drumsticks recipe
• Storage Instructions
• Useful Recipe Tips
• Frequently asked questions
• What to serve them with - pairing suggestions.
• More Tasty Chicken Recipes
• 📖 Recipe

Reasons to love

• Simple - this recipe is totally easy and makes use of just 5 everyday ingredients that you most probably have. If not, you are certain to find them at your local supermarket.
• Efficient - You can complete other tasks while the drumsticks bake. This is not the case when for example, frying the drumsticks.
• Healthy - just a bunch of spices and healthy good old olive oil.
• Cost friendly - Another thing, chicken legs are cost-friendly, in comparison to, for example, the wings. You basically, get more meat for less money.

Kitchen equipment

Basically, all you need is your everyday kitchen tools or utensils. Here is what you will require:-

• A large cup - to mix the marinade ingredients.
• Mixing bowl - for combining the chicken legs (drumsticks) and the marinade.
• Paper towel or a clean kitchen cloth - to take off excess moisture from the drumsticks.
• Sheet pan or baking sheet - you can also use a baking rack, if you do not own a sheet pan.
• Parchment paper - to prevent the meat from sticking on the tray.
• Kitchen tongs.
• Meat thermometer - to check the internal temperature.

Ingredients

As for the ingredients, you will require:-

• Chicken legs (drumsticks): this recipe uses 7-8 pieces. I like to double or triple the portion, if having visitors or if we are basically too hungry. If you choose to make a batch, then use different trays or racks. I would say do not crowd them too much otherwise they will not be crispy.
• To prepare the marinade: some salt, olive oil, turmeric and curry powder.

How to make oven-baked curry chicken drumsticks recipe

Here is a summary of how to go about it. Detailed instructions are provided in the recipe card below:-

• First, clean the drumsticks and use a kitchen cloth or paper towl to pat dry.
• Prepare the marinade by combining salt, olive oil, turmeric and curry powder in a cup.
• In a bowl, combine the marinade and chicken legs and give the marinade some time to do its magic.
• Next, preheat the oven to 425°F or 220°C. Place parchment paper on a sheet pan or baking tray and lay the chicken drumsticks on the baking tray.
• Finally, bake on the middle rack for 15 minutes, use a tong to turn the chicken legs and bake for a further 20 minutes.
• Serve these baked curry chicken drumsticks with some mashed potatoes or cauliflower potatoes, salad or a side of your choice.

Storage Instructions

Store these baked curry chicken drumsticks in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can you freeze raw chicken drumsticks?

The answer is yes. Raw chicken drumsticks can be kept in the freezer for up to 12 months. Just make sure to keep them in a freezer-friendly container or bag. For the best flavor, season them with some marinade or your favorite spice blend before freezing. That way you can cook them straight up, once thawed.

How do I freeze baked chicken drumsticks?

Equally, you can freeze these curry-flavored baked drumsticks for up to 12 months, in properly labeled bags bearing best-by dates. To reheat, first, allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight then heat them in a 350F (approximately 180 C) oven.

Useful Recipe Tips

• Leave some space between the chicken drumsticks when laying them on the baking tray.
• Don't forget to turn them mid-baking. That will make them crispier on the outside.
• If your chicken legs or drumsticks are not as crispy as you would like them, simply put them under the broiler during the last 5 minutes of cooking. This should make the outside parts crispy.
• To avoid food poisoning, only serve chicken legs that are cooked through (see the frequently asked questions segment below for how to tell when the chicken legs are done).

Frequently asked questions

How do I tell whether my chicken drumsticks are done?

• The chicken should display at least 165°F or 74°C on an instant-read meat thermometer. This is actually the best and safe way to be sure. TIP: If you want your chicken drumsticks to have crispy skin, then aim for a minimum temperature of 185° F.
• The waters should run clear and the chicken legs should no longer be bloody.
• Cooked chicken legs or drumsticks as they are sometimes known will feel firm to the touch when pressed. Uncooked ones, on the other hand, feel soft.
• The flesh at the thinner side of the bone on the leg separates and pulls on towards the upper and wider side of the drumstick.

This said, the best method, however, still remains using a meat thermometer.

How long to bake drumsticks at 350°F -baking chicken legs at different temperatures

Wondering how long to bake your chicken drumsticks at 325° F or 400°F, or even at another temperature? Different oven temperatures require different baking times. The table below is a basic guide on the baking times you need. However, if you want crispy skin, then stick to the following baking times and look for an internal temperature of 185 °F.

• Chicken legs at 425° F convention (220°C) - about 35 minutes.
• Chicken legs at 400° F convention to 425° F convention - about 35 - 40 minutes.
• Chicken legs at 375° F convention to 400° F convention - 40-45 minutes.
• Chicken legs at 350°F convention to 375° F convention - 45-50 minutes.

Needless to say, different baking temperatures will translate to different baking times for the chicken legs. The total time will, however, depend on the type of oven in the end. So feel free to add or deduct a few minutes.

What to serve them with - pairing suggestions.

These drumsticks go well with vegetable noodles, cauliflower mash, riced cauliflower, green beans, or healthy baked vegetables.

More Tasty Chicken Recipes

📖 Recipe

Tried this baked curry chicken drumsticks recipe? Let's keep the conversation going, let me know in the comments section below by leaving a rating. Perhaps you have tips to share? We are a community and I absolutely love hearing from you!!