Lemon Butter Chicken Drumsticks

Easy lemon butter chicken drumsticks are the best weeknight dinner! With just a few ingredients, this recipe is sure to be a family favourite.

Lemon butter chicken is a delicious and easy recipe for dinner. This recipe has very few simple ingredients, it’s quick to prepare, and you can make enough for leftovers.

Lemon and butter are a classic combination that make for an amazing dinner. The chicken drumsticks come out so crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, you’ll be hooked from first bite!

The best part about this dish is how easy it is to prepare – and using a dutch oven means you only need one pot to make it.

This recipe makes 6 servings – perfect for when you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal that doesn’t require much work,

What do I Cook this Lemon Butter Chicken in?

You can use any large casserole dish for this purpose.

I really prefer using my large oval enamelled cast iron dutch oven though as it is just the perfect size and has tall enough sides that my oven stays clean. Plus it is super easy to clean up afterwards!

How can you tell when drumsticks are done baking?

It is important to be sure that your chicken is fully cooked through.

The best way to do this is with a digital meat thermometer. When ready, a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the drumstick, without touching the bone, should register 175 degrees F.

Also the chicken juices should run clear when pierced at this point.

How to Store Lemon Butter Chicken Drumsticks

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container or sealed zip-lock bag for up to three days. Just be sure that the chicken is cooled.

You can also freeze it by placing it into an airtight freezer bag and freezing for up to three months.

Just allow the chicken to thaw in the fridge overnight before warming back up to temperature in a 350 F oven.

About the Ingredients for Lemon Butter Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken – I chose to use chicken drumsticks with the skin on for this recipe as they remain so moist and flavourful. You can swap for different cuts of chicken. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Butter – I use salted butter because I think it gives the best flavour and let’s be honest, it’s what most people have on hand in their kitchens.

Herbs & Seasonings – Fresh thyme and smoked paprika add loads of complementary flavours to this lemon dish. Don’t forget to season well with salt and pepper!

Garlic – 4 cloves should be enough, but I know some of you will double that, and that is OK too.

Lemon – Fresh lemons provide the very best flavour for this dish, it is a pretty essential ingredient.

Can I Use Other Cuts Of Chicken?

Yes! As I said above, I chose drumsticks with the skin on for their flavour and ability to stay moist.

That said, you can absolutely get away with using any other cut of chicken, and if cooked properly should still be quite moist and delicious.

As mentioned you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. For example, boneless skinless chicken breast should be cooked at 450 F for 15-18 minutes.

Just a note, I chose 450 F for this recipe because the high heat does the best job at really sealing in the chicken juices and giving us a nice crisp skin.

Should I bake the chicken legs covered or uncovered?

If you are cooking chicken with the skin on, cook uncovered so that the skin gets nice and crisp.

If you opt instead to cook boneless skinless chicken breasts you will want to cook them covered.

What to serve with Lemon Butter Chicken Drumsticks

These lemon butter roasted chicken drums will go well with any of your favourite side dishes! If you need some fresh ideas, here are some of my favourites:

Also known as Fondant Potatoes, Melting Potatoes are a tasty potato side dish that are crispy and brown on the outside and soft inside. (Pictured with the Lemon Butter Chicken Drumsticks.)

This Jamaican Rice and Peas recipe is an authentic recipe for a popular side dish to most Jamaican meals. This traditional recipe uses fragrant thyme and coconut for a rice that is full of flavour! 

Oven-Roasted Vegetables are a delicious side dish staple your family can enjoy all year round as part of your dinner menu. It’s a healthy and super delicious way to get your veg in!

Calabrese pasta salad is wonderful pasta dish featuring roasted red peppers served either warm or cool as a side dish or entrée.

Looking for More Tasty & Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas?

This Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Bake is an easy dinner recipe filled with delicious cheese sauce and chicken. It is also inexpensive!

This is the easiest recipe for honey garlic chicken ever. This Honey Garlic Chicken Sheet Pan Meal is complete with sides of carrots, broccoli and baby potatoes. It’s full of flavour, quick and easy, and best of all, your family is going to love this recipe. 

A Chinese food restaurant classic, this Black Pepper Chicken recipe is super easy to make at home. It’s a flavourful asian-inspired dish the whole family can enjoy!

This Chicken Florentine recipe is an impressive yet easy to make one-pot dish featuring lightly breaded chicken in a delectable creamy white wine sauce loaded with cheese and spinach.

How to Make Lemon Butter Chicken Drumsticks

Yields: 6 Servings | Prep Time: 10 Mins | Cook Time: 45 Mins

Ingredients:

12 chicken drumsticks, skin on
4 tbsp salted butter melted
2 sprigs Fresh thyme
1 tbsp smoked paprika
4 cloves garlic minced
1 Medium lemon, zested & juiced
1 Medium lemon, sliced
1 Medium onion, diced
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Place in a large ziploc bag the chicken drumsticks, melted butter, thyme, paprika, garlic, lemon zest & juice, salt and pepper.

Close the bag and shake to coat the chicken well. Allow the chicken to marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 450 F degrees.

Transfer the chicken with marinade to a large casserole dish.

Place the lemon slices in between the drumsticks and sprinkle over with onions.

Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, internal temperature should register 175° with a meat thermometer.

If desired, turn on the broiler for the last 3-5 minutes or until chicken is golden brown.