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Tender plump drumsticks are soaked in a seasoned buttermilk marinade, then baked until golden brown, crispy, and juicy. A wonderful, easy, budget-family favorite dinner!

I’m always looking for a delicious and easy new way to make chicken drumsticks! My grandkids love a good chicken leg! (Who doesn’t, right?)

A few months ago, I stumbled across a recipe from Kroger’s for marinating chicken drumsticks in buttermilk and seasoning. It looked like an easy way to prepare a family favorite. Is there a kid, big or little, on the planet that doesn’t like a drumstick?

With the ever-increasing cost of groceries, nothing beats a great budget-friendly recipe! THIS is THAT recipe! It checks all the boxes! From ease and cost, to flavor. This recipe is sure to become a part of your monthly meal plan!

Let’s grab our apron and get cooking!

What You Need to Make GREAT Baked Chicken Legs!

• 1¼ Cup buttermilk
• 1½ Tablespoon of olive oil – You can substitute a flavored olive oil like garlic olive oil for added flavor!
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika – you can use regular paprika if you don’t have smoked.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 8-10 chicken drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley

How To Make Marinated Roasted Chicken Legs

One of the GREAT things about this recipe is you can mix up the buttermilk marinade, place the chicken legs in a bag with it, and leave them chilling in your refrigerator for up to 24 hours! Making it a wonderful “meal-prep” dinner idea for one of those busy nights when you need a quick meal!

TIP: A word of caution though…don’t marinade the chicken longer than 24 hours in buttermilk. While buttermilk is a wonderful tenderizer, after 24 hours it can break the proteins down too much, causing them to become tough.

In a medium bowl, add buttermilk, oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper, and salt.

We are essentially creating a “seasoned buttermilk” marinade.

PRO-TIP: This is where you can be creative. You could add herbs to this mixture if you’re a fresh herb fan, or additional seasonings such as cayenne, or even a sprinkle of hot sauce. I always encourage creativity with my recipes. It is what makes the dish special for your Nest!

Using a wire whisk, combine all the marinade ingredients. Set the bowl aside while we prep those chicken legs.

Marinating Chicken Legs

While this recipe calls for chicken legs, you could just as easily use chicken thighs or chicken tenders. Just be sure to adjust the cooking times listed below.

Place the chicken in a bowl with a lid, or a resealable gallon-sized plastic bag. I’m a fan of plastic bags. Fewer dishes are my motto!

Pour the buttermilk marinade mixture over the chicken. Toss to coat. Seal and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

Baking Chicken Legs

Preheat oven to 375° (F).

Remove the marinated chicken from the bag or bowl, wiping off any excess buttermilk. Those little ol’ chicken legs spa day is over, friends!

TIP: I use a paper towel to BLOT…which I recommend over wiping the excess. You don’t want to wipe off the seasonings, just the extra buttermilk.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a greased cast iron skillet.

Bake 40–45 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown (safe internal temperature is 165°F). That’s it! Easy, right? Almost too easy for a tasty dinner idea!

Top with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Serving Baked Chicken Legs

I like to serve these delicious tender chicken legs with Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes and Asparagus with toasted walnuts and feta cheese.

It’s a great simple main dish that can be dressed up with fancier side dishes or keep it simple with macaroni and cheese and a tossed green salad or some sliced fresh fruit.

Refrigerate any leftovers. I’m thinking that’s not going to be necessary information! Lol, I predict these delicious chicken legs are going to magically disappear. My granddaughters loved them and my daughter loved how easy this recipe was to make. A “win-win” in the Mom dinner book!

Other Favorite Chicken Recipes

• Roasted Spatchcock Chicken with Vegetables
• Roasted Rotisserie Sticky Chicken
• Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
• Easy Crispy Fried Chicken
• Easy Baked Chicken Thighs from Julia’s Simply Southern

I hope you love this simple basic Roasted Chicken Leg Recipe! The subtle tangy hints from the buttermilk combine beautifully with the seasonings to give you the ultimate chicken leg recipe.

As always, Thank You for stopping by my nest today! We appreciate your support of our recipes more than you’ll ever know. Have a great week and…

Happy Nesting!

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