23 Tasty Ways to Turn Chicken Legs Into Dinner Gold

These recipes show just how fun and tasty chicken drumsticks can be for any dinner. You can find everything from zesty sauces to crispy coatings that make this cut of meat really special. Whether you are grilling outside or cooking inside, there is a great idea here for your next meal. Get ready to try some bold new flavors and simple twists that will make this classic chicken your new favorite thing to cook and eat.

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Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks

A plate of roasted chicken drumsticks garnished with fresh cilantro. The drumsticks have a golden and crispy exterior, indicating they are well-cooked. The plate is placed on a green and white checkered cloth, adding a rustic touch to the presentation. — Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: My Gorgeous Recipes.

These Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks come out with a crispy outside and stay juicy on the inside. They are great for a simple and easy dinner that does not take much work but is something the whole family will really enjoy eating.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Guajillo Chicken

Chicken legs in a stock pot with red guajillo sauce. — Chicken In Guajillo Sauce. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

With a rich and smoky sauce, this Guajillo Chicken really brings the drumsticks to life with a lot of flavor. It is perfect to serve with a side of rice so you can soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce from your plate.
Get Recipe: Guajillo Chicken

Grilled Chicken Legs

A close-up of a hand holding a grilled chicken drumstick garnished with chopped herbs. More grilled chicken drumsticks are visible on a plate in the background, accompanied by fresh cilantro leaves. — Grilled Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Bowl Me Over.

These Grilled Chicken Legs are very simple to make but are always a popular hit with everyone. They come out juicy and full of great flavor even though you only need to use a few basic ingredients to prepare them for the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Legs

Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs

Grilled barbecue chicken drumsticks arranged on a plate, their crispy skin glistening with a rich, sticky glaze, accompanied by a side of macaroni and cheese and a small bowl of barbecue sauce in the background. — Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Flavor Mosaic.

Smoky, saucy, and perfect for cooking outside, these Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs are a favorite for a reason. They have a classic taste that everyone seems to love and are a great choice for a fun and easy outdoor meal with friends.
Get the Recipe: Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs

Sopa de Pollo con Fideos (Chicken Fideo Soup)

A bowl of soup containing chicken, spaghetti, lime slices, and a variety of vegetables such as carrots and potatoes. The soup is garnished with chopped herbs and placed on a striped cloth. A small bowl of chopped herbs with a wooden spoon is beside it. — Sopa de Pollo con Fideos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This Sopa de Pollo con Fideos is a warm and cozy soup that is made with noodles and tender chicken pieces. It is a very comforting and filling bowl of food that is perfect for when you want a simple and satisfying meal.
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One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Rice

A baked casserole dish with evenly spaced chicken drumsticks on a bed of creamy rice mixed with green vegetables. The dish appears golden and has some seasoned herbs on top. The casserole is placed on a checkered tablecloth with celery leaves and an onion nearby. — One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Rice. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

You can cook a full meal all in one dish with this One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Rice recipe. It is a tasty and easy dinner that is perfect for busy nights when you do not want to wash a lot of pots and pans.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Rice

Pollo a la Diabla (Mexican Deviled Chicken)

Chicken legs covered in a red sauce and sitting in a metal stockpot. — Pollo a la Diabla. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This Pollo a la Diabla is a spicy and saucy dish that is completely full of bold and exciting flavor. It is a really fun way to turn up the heat on your regular dinner and try something new and different.
Get Recipe: Pollo a la Diabla

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

A close-up of five seasoned and cooked chicken drumsticks arranged in a row, sitting in a black air fryer basket. The drumsticks have a crispy golden-brown skin with visible herbs and spices, suggesting a flavorful and appetizing meal. — Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

You can make these Air Fryer Chicken Legs come out crispy without needing to use a lot of oil. They are a quick and easy recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken Drumsticks with Carrots & Asparagus

A colorful striped plate holds three glazed roasted chicken drumsticks, surrounded by vibrant green asparagus and caramelized mixed vegetables including carrots, onions, and peppers. The dish looks appetizing and well-cooked. — Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken Drumsticks with Carrots & Asparagus. Photo credit: Mashup Mom.

This Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken Drumsticks with Carrots & Asparagus cooks your whole meal together on one tray. The balsamic glaze adds a sweet and tangy finish that makes the chicken and vegetables taste really special with very little cleanup needed afterward.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken Drumsticks with Carrots & Asparagus

Spicy Thai Red Curry Chicken Drumsticks

A plate with three pieces of cooked chicken legs garnished with fresh coriander leaves, presented on a grey, textured surface. The chicken appears marinated and baked, exhibiting a golden-brown color. — Spicy Thai Red Curry Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Strength and Sunshine.

Full of bold and exciting flavors, these Spicy Thai Red Curry Chicken Drumsticks are something special. The rich and creamy sauce makes every single bite really tasty and interesting, giving you a fun new way to enjoy a classic chicken dinner.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Thai Red Curry Chicken Drumsticks

Grilled Harissa Chicken Drumsticks

Grilled chicken drumsticks with a charred glaze are laid out on a white surface, accompanied by fresh lemon wedges and sprigs of mint. — Grilled Harissa Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: The Food Blog.

These Grilled Harissa Chicken Drumsticks are spicy, smoky, and super tasty straight off the grill. This recipe brings exciting and new flavors to your plate that are different from the usual and will make your meal feel a lot more special.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Harissa Chicken Drumsticks

Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Drumsticks

Close-up of several bacon-wrapped, smoked chicken drumsticks piled on a plate. The front drumstick shows a bite taken out, revealing the juicy inner meat. A drizzle of yellow sauce tops the drumsticks, adding color and texture to the charred bacon exterior. — Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Sweet & Savory Meals.

Mixing sweet and savory in the very best way, these Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Drumsticks are a treat. They are perfect for when you want to make something a little extra special that feels like a fun indulgence for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken Drumsticks

Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

A bowl filled with steamed white rice, garnished with fresh cilantro, and several pieces of chicken cooked in a spicy, red curry sauce. The dish is arranged neatly with a grey cloth in the background. — Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

These Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks cook very fast and stay super juicy because of the pressure. It is a great recipe for when you need to get dinner ready in a hurry but still want something that is tasty and satisfying to eat.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

A close-up of six grilled chicken drumsticks garnished with fresh parsley, arranged in a row. The chicken is glazed with a rich, dark sauce that looks savory and slightly caramelized. The dish is presented on a dark serving platter. — Baked Honey Mustard Chicken. Photo credit: Gypsy Plate.

This Baked Honey Mustard Chicken is both sweet and tangy, and it is super simple to make. It is a fun twist on plain chicken that adds a lot of big flavor to your meal without requiring a lot of work in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

A parchment-lined baking tray holds eight grilled chicken drumsticks garnished with small cilantro leaves, accompanied by lime wedges. A brightly colored napkin in orange, yellow, and red hues lies beside the tray on a wooden surface. — Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: The Food Blog.

Packed with island flavor and a smoky finish from the grill, these Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks are amazing. They are a great choice for a cookout or for any time you feel like having a spicy and flavorful kick with your dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks

Oven Baked Chicken and Rice with Mushrooms

A baked dish featuring golden-brown chicken drumsticks laid atop a bed of rice mixed with mushrooms. The meal is garnished with fresh, chopped parsley, adding a touch of color against the roasted ingredients. The edges of the baking dish are visible. — Oven Baked Chicken and Rice with Mushrooms. Photo credit: My Gorgeous Recipes.

This Oven Baked Chicken and Rice with Mushrooms is a warm, comforting, and flavorful dish. Everything cooks together in one pot so the cleanup is a breeze, making it a great choice for a simple and satisfying family dinner any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Chicken and Rice with Mushrooms

Buttermilk Chicken

Grilled chicken drumsticks arranged in rows on a white surface, displaying a golden-brown, slightly charred exterior with visible seasoning and herbs. — Buttermilk Chicken. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

Soaking in buttermilk makes this Buttermilk Chicken turn out extra tender and full of flavor inside. These drumsticks are a family favorite for a very good reason, as they are always juicy and delicious straight out of the oven.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Chicken

Instant Pot Mongolian Drumsticks

Close-up of a dish featuring glazed chicken wings topped with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, resting on a bed of rice. The chicken appears to be coated in a shiny, dark sauce, giving it a rich and savory appearance. — Instant Pot Mongolian Drumsticks. Photo credit: Sweet & Savory Meals.

Quick to make and full of bold flavor, these Instant Pot Mongolian Drumsticks are a great choice. The sticky and savory sauce makes them totally irresistible and a fun change from the usual way you might prepare chicken for your meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mongolian Drumsticks

Buffalo Drumsticks

A close-up of a grey plate with two succulent BBQ chicken drumsticks garnished with fresh green herbs. Next to the drumsticks is a serving of creamy mashed potatoes. The dish is vibrant with a rich, glossy sauce covering the chicken. — Buffalo Drumsticks. Photo credit: A Seasoned Greeting.

Coated in a spicy and tangy sauce that is very hard to resist, these Buffalo Drumsticks are a hit. They are perfect for a game day snack or for whenever you are in the mood for something with a bold and zesty flavor.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Drumsticks

Instant Pot Chicken Legs

A white plate contains a serving of roasted chicken drumsticks, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, and a mixed salad with fresh greens and diced tomatoes. The plate is set on a wooden surface. — Instant Pot Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Living in Normal.

These Instant Pot Chicken Legs are easy to make and full of flavor thanks to the fast pressure cooker. They are a perfect choice for quick and tasty meals on those nights when you do not have a lot of time to spend on cooking.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Legs