Smoked Paprika Chicken Drumsticks are a delicious dinner idea that is also healthy and full of flavor. A tasty chicken dish for the whole family!

Easy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

These Smoked Paprika Chicken Drumsticks are a tasty dish with as much flavor as you’d want out of a savory spice rub, so it’s time to give something new a try! 

Chicken is one of those dinner staples that you get used to cooking. You pick a few different chicken recipes that you make over and over, but after months and years of having the same things, sometimes you want to change it up a bit.

The best thing about these easy baked chicken legs is that you likely already have all of the spices needed in your spice cabinet. And if you don’t, everything you need is available at your local grocery store. 

These chicken drumsticks are always keto and paleo diet friendly, but this recipe is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free, and fits most of the diet requirements that you may be trying to meet. 

Serve these tasty chicken legs with some green beans, brussels sprouts, squash, cauliflower rice, brown rice, or garlic mashed potatoes for a complete meal!

What Is The Difference Between Regular Paprika and Smoked Paprika?

Most of us are familiar with seeing a jar of paprika on the shelf in the spice aisle. This is typically a sweet paprika (also known as a variety of Hungarian paprika, made from sweet red peppers) that you would put on top of deviled eggs and other tasty dishes. 

Smoked paprika (also known as a variety of Spanish paprika, made from smoked and dried chili peppers) can also be sweet and it may have spice, but you will taste an overarching smoky flavor that is unlike other paprika varieties. 

You may also see hot paprika in your store, but this is different from other paprika varieties and a little more like cayenne pepper. 

How To Make Smoked Paprika Chicken Recipe

Smoked Paprika Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients:

Chicken drumsticks, family pack (averages 12-16 drums)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Supplies Needed:

Sheet pan
Aluminum foil
Nonstick spray
Paper towels
Small bowl

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray the aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray.  

Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together your seasonings.

Step 3: Blot your chicken with a paper towel if you see moisture so that the olive oil and dry rub will stick better.

Step 4: Place the raw chicken legs in a single layer on the roasting pan and rub each one with olive oil. You can also paint each chicken drum with olive oil using a pastry brush. 

Step 5: Rub the spice mixture onto the drumsticks, making sure to season each whole chicken drum all the way around. You’re creating an olive oil mixture so that the spices stick. 

Step 6: Bake them in the hot oven for 60 minutes on the middle baking rack, turning halfway for a more even coloring and cook.

Step 7: Once fully baked, serve your tender chicken drumsticks immediately and enjoy!

Note – Offer some lemon slices with this great dinner so that everyone can add some lemon juice if they choose. It has amazing flavor as it is and a little bit of lemon can be a bonus. 

How To Store Leftover Smoked Paprika Chicken Drumsticks

Store any leftover smoked paprika chicken legs in the fridge in an airtight container or a plastic bag for up to 4 days. 

Can I Add Any Spices To Give This Some Kick?

Yes! If you enjoy spicy food and want to add some to this dish, you can add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the garlic paprika spice mix before applying it to the chicken legs. 

Can I Use This Spice Rub On Other Chicken Pieces?

Yes! You can use this spice combination with skin-on or boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken wings, chicken leg quarters, or boneless skinless chicken breasts.

Each of these will have a different cook time, so be sure to use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature of each piece before eating. You will want it to be 165 degrees for a full cook. 

Are You Looking For More Tasty Chicken Recipes? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

• Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
• Gluten Free Chicken Broccoli Casserole
• Potato Chip Chicken Drumsticks
• Easy Cream Of Mushroom Chicken Skillet
• Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken

Vremi 3 Piece Nonstick Baking Sheets Set – Professional Non Stick Oven Tray Set for Baking – Non-Toxic Rimmed Carbon Steel Baking Pans Cookie Sheets with Wide BPA Free Red Silicone HandlesGood Cook Set Of 3 Non-Stick Cookie SheetWARMBUY Set of 4 Silicone Pastry Basting Grill Barbecue Brush, Solid Core and Hygienic Solid Coating, Red, Blue, Orange, Green, 8-3/4 Inch LongGood Cook Classic Pastry and Basting Brush, 2-Pieces per Set (Set of 4)McCormick California Style Onion Powder, 2.62 ozMcCormick Classic Garlic Powder, Value Size, 8.75 Oz

Yield: About 6 servings

Smoked Paprika Chicken Drumsticks

Print

These Smoked Paprika Chicken Drumsticks are a delicious dinner idea that is also healthy and full of flavor! A meal for the whole family!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Additional Time 6 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 16 minutes

Ingredients

• Chicken drumsticks, family pack (averages 12-16 drums)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with a non-stick cooking spray.
3. Place your chicken drumsticks on the baking sheet and rub each one with olive oil.
4. In a small bowl, stir together all of the seasonings. Rub them onto each of the chicken drumsticks.
5. Bake for 60 minutes, turning each drumstick halfway for even coloring.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Vremi 3 Piece Nonstick Baking Sheets Set - Professional Non Stick Oven Tray Set for Baking - Non-Toxic Rimmed Carbon Steel Baking Pans Cookie Sheets with Wide BPA Free Red Silicone Handles
• 
  WARMBUY Set of 4 Silicone Pastry Basting Grill Barbecue Brush, Solid Core and Hygienic Solid Coating, Red, Blue, Orange, Green, 8-3/4 Inch Long
• 
  McCormick Classic Garlic Powder, Value Size, 8.75 Oz

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

2
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 53Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 403mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 4g

This calculation is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor or dietician. This calculator is a guide, but makes no guarantee of being exact or fully accurate.