These crispy baked chicken drumsticks, marinated in a finger-licking seasoning before baking, are a German recipe and fan favorite and make the perfect weeknight meal or game-time snack.
It's always good to have some chicken go-to recipes that are a fail-proof way to get a super delicious dinner on the table. To me, these Hähnchenkeulen or German chicken drumsticks are definitely one of those recipes I fall back to when
1. it's been a week
2. my creativity has reached its limits
3. I still want to eat something yummy and satisfying, but
4. don't want to spend the money on eating out.
Add a roasted head of cauliflower and some rosemary baked potatoes and you have a super delicious and easy dinner for 4 for around 20 bucks. That's pretty hard to beat. And if you're just two adults like us, the leftovers reheat well in the oven, too!
Ingredients
Making the marinade requires most of everything you should have handy at home like spices, honey and ketchup and the fresh rosemary can be substituted by dried rosemary, although I'd use a bit less if using the dried herb.
- Chicken drumsticks. I use large, free range chicken drumsticks
- Olive oil. You'll be creating a seasoning pasta to rub the chicken with and this is the glue that holds it all together.
- Paprika powder. You'll use mostly sweet paprika powder with a touch of half-sharp paprika powder (it adds some nice spice). If you're sensitive to spice, simply leave out the ladder. Don't have half-spark paprika powder on hand? Use cayenne or chili flakes instead.
- Curry Powder. Germans love using curry powder in recipes (hello, Currywurst). It adds a nice, sophisticated touch without being overpowering.
- Garlic powder. Because life is better with garlic in it.
- Fresh rosemary. Use dried if you don't have fresh on hand, but I do think using fresh makes a big difference.
- Ketchup. For a touch of added spice and sweetness.
- Honey. Just a touch to add sweetness.
I love how crisp and juicy the chicken comes out of the oven. Our kids love them too!
These baked chicken drumsticks reminds me of my Mama marinating and baking chicken in the oven for a quick weeknight meal. The house always smelled amazing, which would make everyone grow very impatient and hungry. But once the Hähnchenkeulen came out of the oven, everyone was very happy again. This crowd-pleaser of a baked chicken recipe would also make a pretty fabulous appetizer to serve for the Super Bowl this Sunday! Go Chiefs!
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Hähnchenkeulen: German Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 chicken drumsticks
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon sweet paprika powder
- ½ teaspoon half-sharp paprika powder can also use chili or cayenne powder instead
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 twigs rosemary leaves removed and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 Fahrenheit (220 Celsius) on convection setting (450 on conventional setting or 230 Celsius).
- Combine all above ingredients and rub onto drumsticks.
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Internal temperature needs to be at 165 degrees Fahrenheit or above (74 degrees Celsius). Guten Appetit!
Nutrition
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I received compensation from Niche Import Co. in exchange for writing this post. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions, thoughts and recipes are my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may be compensated if you click certain links.
Erin
We have a German exchange student, so I can't wait to try this recipe! Would it work with chicken breasts as well?
dirndlkitchen
Oh how fun!! And yes, you could use chicken breasts. I would recommend skin on breasts though. Otherwise the meat can get too dry. OR decrease the baking time and only bake until the internal temp is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.