Baked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks are the weeknight dinner hero. Crispy, golden skin. Juicy, tender meat. Zesty lemon pepper seasoning. 45 minutes. Minimal work. Maximum flavor. Dinner solved.
Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil. Place a wire rack on top.
Season Drumsticks
Pat drumsticks completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix lemon pepper seasoning, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.
Drizzle drumsticks with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with seasoning mixture and lemon zest. Massage into the skin.
Bake
Arrange drumsticks on the wire rack, spaced apart. Bake 40-45 minutes, flipping once halfway, until skin is golden and crispy and internal temp reaches 185°F (85°C).
Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with lemon wedges. Squeeze generously. Crispy, zesty, 45-minute perfection.
Summary
Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 45 min | Total: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings | Difficulty: Easy
Storage Notes
Fridge: 4 days. Reheat in oven or air fryer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes (crispy returns). Never microwave — skin gets floppy. Great for meal prep — reheat for quick dinners and lunches.
