Crispy cajun spiced skin covering succulent meat that is super easy to make? Sign me up! When people ask me for this recipe I’m always caught off guard because it is so simple. It just takes some drumsticks, cajun seasoning, and butter. It can’t go wrong! This is one of my go-to recipes for a quick meal, especially for larger amount of people. I can just pop it in the oven and throw together some sides. By the time I’m done I’ve got people drooling from the smell in the kitchen. It’s awesome!
This recipe utilizes a homemade cajun seasoning. I prefer to mix my own so I can have complete control over the flavor. You just never know what you are going to get with a store-bought mix as they vary quite a bit. This mix is my absolute favorite. In this recipe I have you making a large batch. Just store what you don’t use in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for later use.
This recipe is easily customized to feed as many or as little people as you need. That’s part of what makes this recipes so awesome! You can also use whatever cut of chicken you’d like. Chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or even wings are all delicious with this recipe. You’ll have to adjust the cook time accordingly. Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watch the video for more great tips for making this recipe. Just be warned, it will make you super hungry! You can also check out the rest of my YouTube Channel where I have hundreds of cooking videos you can drool over.
Be sure to check out my other recipes using cajun seasoning like my Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta and my Cajun Stuffed Chicken Breasts.
Cajun Chicken Drumsticks
- 10 drumsticks
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- In a small bowl, stir together all the spices for cajun seasoning. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a jelly roll pan with nonstick spray. Line up drumsticks on the prepared tray.
- Sprinkle with cajun seasoning on both sides. Leave the side with the most meat and skin facing up.
- Put a dab of about ½ tablespoon butter on the top of each drumstick, on the part that is most meaty. The butter will melt all over the meat and skin, keeping the meat juicy, and making the skin crispy.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes in the oven.
Cajun seasoning can be bought in the seasoning section of the grocery store. Each brand will be slightly different in their ingredients and proportions. I like to save myself the money and make my own. I mix it up in a ziploc bag or small jar. If you want to make a big batch, just change all the measurements to tablespoons.
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 1/2 teaspoons paprika
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
This recipe first appeared on The Stay At Home Chef on December 11, 2012
Alix says
Looks yummy and I have everything I need to make it.
julianaloh (@bilbaobab) says
this looks delish! thanks for sharing!
Anonymous says
thanks for sharing.
Tanella Bacher says
I'm just new with cooking so it's a good thing this seems pretty easy enough to make. I needed a break with breaded fried chicken.
Cheryl says
I can't wait to try this ; thanks so much !
Renee says
These look really delicious! I love the spice blend!
Kirsten says
Rachel,
This is one of those perfect recipes for when Dad's deployed–my kids don't mind eating chicken 'on the bone' and my son digs spicy food.
Thanks!
Ginny says
I starting dinner a bit late tonight and I’m making your recipe for these drumsticks. I agree they do look good, but I’m praying they’re not too spicy. My grandson isn’t too crazy for spicy. Wish me luck.
stayathomechefblog@gmail.com says
Let me know how it turned out for you!
Barbara Bowles says
I’m going to try this with bone in & skin on breasts. How long should I bake these?? Thanks
Rachel Farnsworth says
45 to 60 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Shala says
I can’t believe I have t reviewed this yet! So good, so easy! Yum, thanks!!
Mark says
Can I use a non-dairy substitute for butter ?
Rachel Farnsworth says
Yes, but then you’d be using a non-dairy butter substitute which is usually kind of gross.
Diane Defelice says
You can also rub chicken with veggie oil or canola oil then sprinkle with Cajun spices.
Sara says
These were delicious! So very easy to make and turned out perfect, thanks for sharing!
Shamarah Pinnock says
I tried this recipe for dinner tonight and it’s delicious. Thank you. This is a keeper
Tom says
Good recipe. One suggestion. Make sure to pat dry the drumsticks with a paper towel before spicing them. The dryer the drumsticks the crispier the end result will be. The spice mix was perfect!
Samantha Spurgeon says
These are the most beautiful and delicious chicken drumsticks I’ve ever had!! I kinda just made these on the spot with what I had, I only substituted thyme.. I had used rosemary instead because I didn’t have it on hand and heard rosemary makes good substitute for poultry. I also used Irish butter because it is my favorite butter and the only kind I keep in my kitchen. That is all! Thank you so much for providing this recipe it made ordinary chicken into a masterpiece!
Tiffany says
I’m making these now. They sound amazing and I can’t wait to try em! My kids and husband love drumsticks but we like em crispy and sometimes you don’t always get that with recipes for drumsticks but I think tonight will be different. The butter on top of each drumstick is key. Thank you so much and I will check back after we try em😊
Jen says
What wonderful flavor! I baked ours at 375 and they were done in 30 min. Will definitely make them aga in and make the spice mix for other cuts of chicken. Thank you forsharing this delicious recipe.