Baked Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks

Bring the flavors of the Italy home with these easy to make Baked Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks! Complete the meal by serving with couscous, roasted carrots, and tomato & cucumber salad for a family-friendly meal that’s ready in just 40 minutes.

A close-up photo of Garlic Parmesan chicken plated over couscous, drizzled with garlic basil oil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Today, I’m bringing the flavors of Italy home with these easy to make Baked Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks. Being budget conscious, doesn’t mean sad and flavorless! Together with some homemade chunky blue cheese dressing by [my] Domestic Super Hero, Allyson, this family-friendly meal is ready in just 40-minutes.

Of course, if your family isn’t crazy for blue cheese dressing you can always use ranch – but these are also delicious without any added dipping sauce at all!

A photo of the ingredients for garlic-parmesan chicken

 

What ingredients are needed for Baked Galic-Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks?

Chicken drumsticks – or thighs since both have similar cooking times.

For the Chicken Rub:

  • Dried Italian Seasoning (affiliate link) blend – this is sold with the herbs and spices on the spice aisle. It is not the same as Italian salad dressing mix sold on the salad dressings and condiments aisle.
  • Dried rosemary – Fresh rosemary will also work
  • Dried parsley – Fresh parley will also work here.
  • Fine Kosher salt – table or fine sea salt may also be substituted.

For the Garlic-Parmesan Sauce:

  • Extra-virgin olive oil – Since this is used as a drizzle, use the good stuff.
  • Minced fresh basil – if you don’t have basil, try parsley. Both have a bright, fresh flavor.
  • Garlic cloves, finely minced – freshly minced is best
  • Grated Parmesan cheese – freshly grated is best but if you must substitute it with a premium grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Garlic salt – optional – use more or less to taste

How Do I Make Baked Chicken Drumsticks?

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a small bowl, prepare the chicken rub by mixing together the Italian seasoning (affiliate link) blend, rosemary, parsley, and salt.
  2. Lay the chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet or casserole pan and season the chicken wings with this mixture.A baking pan filled with chicken legs that have been sprinkled with an Italian herb mixture.
  3. Bake the chicken wings for 35-40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 185 degree F. If checking the drumsticks with a thermometer is not possible, slice the drumstick open and check to see that the meat is cooked and the juices run clear.A pan of baked italian chicken
  4. Meanwhile, prepare the garlic-parmesan sauce by lightly sauteeing the minced garlic in the olive oil; about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool before adding the fresh basil, garlic salt, and Parmesan cheese.
  5. When the chicken is cooked through, toss the wings with the garlic, basil, cheese, and olive oil sauce.
  6. Make it a meal and serve over couscous with easy oven roasted carrots, and a tomato basil cucumber salad.
A close-up photo of Garlic Parmesan chicken plated over couscous, drizzled with garlic basil oil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Plated in a shallow bowl over couscous with parmesan cheese 1

Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Drumsticks

Ronda Eagle | Kitchen Dreaming
Bring the flavors of the Italy home with these easy to make Baked Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks! Complete the meal by serving with couscous, roasted carrots, and tomato & cucumber salad for a family-friendly meal that’s ready in just 40 minutes.
4.75 from 4 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 pieces
Calories 167 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 8)

Chicken Rub:

Garlic-Parmesan Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
  • 2 garlic cloves , finely minced
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic seasoning salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a small bowl prepare the chicken rub by mixing together the Italian seasoning [paid link] blend, rosemary, parsley, and salt.
  • Lay the chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet or casserole pan and season the chicken with this mixture.
  • Bake the chicken drumsticks for 35-40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 185 degree F. If checking the drumsticks with a thermometer is not possible, slice the drumstick open and check to see that the meat is cooked and the juices run clear.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the garlic-Parmesan sauce by lightly cooking the minced garlic in the olive oil; about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool before adding the fresh basil, garlic seasoning salt, and Parmesan cheese. [See Note 2]
  • When the chicken is cooked through, toss the drumsticks with the garlic, basil, cheese, and olive oil sauce.

Notes

  1. Italian seasoning [paid link] blend is sold with the herbs and spices on the spice aisle. It is not the same as Italian salad dressing mix sold on the salad dressings and condiments aisle.
  2. Lightly cooking the garlic in the olive oil removes the bitterness and spiciness of the raw garlic. If you prefer, you may leave it raw.
  3. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet and for the recipe as written. Additions, substitutions, or ommisions will change the nutritional value.
  4. 1 serving (2 drumsticks) of this recipe contains 7ug (9%) of the daily allowance for Vitamin K.

Nutrition

Serving: 2drumsticksCalories: 167kcalCarbohydrates: 0gProtein: 14gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 563mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 0gSugar: 0gVitamin A: 90IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 0.6mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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12 thoughts on “Baked Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks”

  1. Love it but had to switch to garlic powder instead of garlic salt. The parmesan cheese is salty so the garlic salt took it a little over the top on the salt. But it needed the added garlic. We’re not big salt eaters so always adjusting recipes to reduce it for taste preference.

    Reply
  2. I’ve made this a few times now and it’s a family favorite! We eat primarily low carb/keto so this recipe is perfect. My sister swears they taste like crazy bread. Definitely recommend!

    Reply
    • Hi Sharon,
      I have updated the post to include a link to the recipe I use for Homemade Chunky Bluecheese Dressing from [my] Domestic Superhero, Allyson. Good stuff. I do not have a recipe published yet on my blog. Thanks for taking the time to ask. I appreciate it.

      Reply

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