Ingredients
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
1.75 lbs. chicken drumsticks (6 pieces)
2 Tbsp cooking oil
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Place the chicken drumsticks in a bowl and drizzle the cooking oil over top. Sprinkle the prepared seasoning over the drumsticks, then toss until they're evenly coated in oil and spices.
Place the seasoned drumsticks on a baking sheet with enough space around each so they're not touching. You can line the baking sheet with foil or parchment for easier cleanup, if desired.
Transfer the chicken to the oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 175ºF, flipping the drumsticks once half-way through. Serve hot.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Smoked paprika is the star spice here — it adds a deep, rich color and a subtly smoky flavor that makes these drumsticks taste like they came off a grill.
- Cooking oil is essential for helping the spices adhere to the chicken and for achieving that desirable crispy, golden skin in a hot oven.
- Cayenne pepper adds just a gentle kick of heat — feel free to increase or decrease the amount to suit your spice preference.
- Dried oregano brings a mild herbal earthiness that balances the bold smoky and spicy notes in the seasoning blend.
- Using chicken drumsticks with the bone in and skin on helps retain moisture during baking, resulting in incredibly juicy meat.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Each serving provides roughly 280 calories, making this a satisfying yet relatively lean protein-forward meal.
- Chicken drumsticks are an excellent source of protein, delivering around 26 grams per serving to support muscle maintenance and satiety.
- The skin-on drumsticks contribute healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, especially when paired with a neutral cooking oil.
- Smoked paprika and oregano provide trace antioxidants and anti-inflammatory plant compounds alongside their bold flavor.
- Chicken is naturally rich in B vitamins — especially B3 (niacin) and B6 — which play key roles in energy metabolism and brain health.
- The sodium content is moderate at around 300 mg per serving, making this a reasonable choice for those watching their salt intake.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories280
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat17 g72 g23.61%
- Saturated Fat4 g20 g20%
- Trans Fat0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat3.5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat8 g
- Cholesterol120 mg300 mg40%
- Sodium310 mg2300 mg13.48%
- Total Carbohydrate1 g275 g0.36%
- Dietary Fiber0 g28 g0%
- Total Sugars0 g
- Added Sugars0 g50 g0%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein26 g50 g52%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)8 mcg20 mcg40%
- Calcium18 mg1300 mg1.38%
- Iron1.2 mg18 mg6.67%
- Potassium260 mg4700 mg5.53%
- Vitamin A320 mcg900 mcg35.56%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)0.5 mg90 mg0.56%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)1.2 mg15 mg8%
- Vitamin K4 mcg120 mcg3.33%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.1 mg1.2 mg8.33%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.18 mg1.3 mg13.85%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)5.8 mg16 mg36.25%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.42 mg1.7 mg24.71%
- Folate8 mcg400 mcg2%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)0.35 mcg2.4 mcg14.58%
- Biotin4 mcg30 mcg13.33%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.1 mg5 mg22%
- Choline72 mg550 mg13.09%
- Phosphorus195 mg1250 mg15.6%
- Iodine4 mcg150 mcg2.67%
- Magnesium24 mg420 mg5.71%
- Zinc2.8 mg11 mg25.45%
- Selenium22 mcg55 mcg40%
- Copper0.08 mg0.9 mg8.89%
- Manganese0.03 mg2.3 mg1.3%
- Chromium1 mcg35 mcg2.86%
- Molybdenum4 mcg45 mcg8.89%
- Chloride210 mg2300 mg9.13%
