Oven-Roasted Buffalo-Style Chicken Drumsticks

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken drumsticks roasted with a spicy buffalo glaze for a flavorful, crispy finish. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs chicken drumsticks, olive oil, hot sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat dry 8 chicken drumsticks and toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Arrange the drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with foil and bake for 35 minutes, flipping halfway through until the skin is crispy and juices run clear.
  3. Step 3: While the chicken bakes, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in 1/4 cup hot sauce until smooth and heated through.
  4. Step 4: Remove the drumsticks from the oven and toss immediately in the buffalo sauce to coat. Serve hot with celery sticks or your favorite dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Oven-Roasted Buffalo-Style Chicken Drumsticks take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Oven-Roasted Buffalo-Style Chicken Drumsticks?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken drumsticks from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Buffalo-Style Chicken Drumsticks?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Oven-Roasted Buffalo-Style Chicken Drumsticks for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Oven-Roasted Buffalo-Style Chicken Drumsticks?

American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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