Easy Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

5 from 3 votes

Easy Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

These buffalo drumsticks are super easy to make so they're perfect for busy weeknights. There's lots of options for cooking them including baked in the oven or slow cooker with the best homemade 3 ingredient buffalo wing sauce!

Prep Time10

Cook Time40

Resting Time5

Total Time55

Servings:

Calories: 212kcal

Author: Karin and Ken

Ingredients

Chicken

12 chicken drumsticks assuming 4 drumsticks per pound or ¼ pound each

Spice Rub

2 tablespoons paprika
2 teaspoons salt or seasoned salt
2 teaspoons pepper
cooking spray

Buffalo Wing Sauce

½ cup hot sauce
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon cornstarch

For Serving Optional

blue cheese, ranch dressing, caesar dip or one of our best dip recipes

Instructions

Mix Buffalo Sauce

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. This easy sauce results in almost 1 cup of Buffalo Wing Sauce which is enough for this recipe. If using store-bought, make sure you have at least ¾ cup.

Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with tinfoil and rack and lightly coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
Rinse drumsticks and pat dry with paper towel.
Place paprika, salt and pepper in a large resealable bag. Add drumsticks and adjust until evenly coated. Remove from bag and press seasoning into drumsticks as you place on prepared sheet, spaced evenly apart.
Bake between 40-45 minutes. Skin should be crisp and the internal temperature should be 165 degrees.
Once cooked, coat them with Buffalo wing sauce. Bake for another 5 minutes.
Remove from oven and coat with more Buffalo wing sauce. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Coat slow cooker with cooking spray. Place seasoned chicken inside slow cooker. Cover and cook chicken until tender between 4 and 5 hours on low.
Adjust oven rack 6 inches from your broiler element and turn it on. Line a rimmed baking sheet with tinfoil and a rack coated with cooking spray. Transfer chicken to prepared rack.
Broil chicken until lightly charred, about 10 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through broiling.
Brush chicken with buffalo sauce and continue to broil until lightly charred, about 5 minutes, flipping and brushing chicken with more sauce halfway through broiling.
Brush chicken with remaining sauce. Serve and enjoy!

Serving

Serve with additional Buffalo wing sauce, creamy blue cheese dip, caesar parmesan dip, or buttermilk ranch dip on the side, if desired. The BEST DIPS EVER will give you a list of all of our favorite dips. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Video

Notes

How to Know You're Chicken is Done. It's crucial to cook chicken to the proper internal temperature to ensure both safety and quality. The internal temperature of cooked chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature by inserting it into the thickest part of the drumstick, away from the bone.

Prepping the Chicken Legs. Remove any excess fat on the drumsticks to prevent burning while baking.

Secret to Crisp Skin. Pat dry the drumsticks with paper towels before seasoning or coating to help the skin become extra crispy.

Adjustable Cooking Time. If the drumsticks are not cooked through at the end of the initial cooking time you can extend the baking time in 10 minute intervals until it's fully cooked. In general you need to bake chicken legs between 40-45 minutes, while chicken thighs need 35-40 minutes (CHICKEN THIGHS) and 40-45 minutes (CHICKEN LEGS).

Serve Immediately. For the best texture and taste serve your buffalo chicken drumsticks right after they finish cooking.

Nutrition