Go Back
–+ servings

Would you like to save this recipe?

We'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!

Five lemon pepper chicken drumsticks on parchment paper with half of a lemon.

Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks (Air Fryer or Baked)

Marissa
Juicy lemon pepper chicken drumsticks with golden, flavorful skin and tender meat, seasoned with zesty lemon pepper, paprika, and fresh dill. This café-style recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or feeding a crowd using your air fryer or oven.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine Baltic, International
Servings 4 people
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Roasting dish or pan
  • 1 Bowl
  • 1 Parchment paper if baking in the oven
  • 1 Air Fryer or Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 8 chicken drumsticks about 2.5 lbs
  • 2 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning store-bought or homemade
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 3/4 tsp paprika optional, for color
  • 1 tsp salt adjust depending on your lemon pepper seasoning's saltiness
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon optional, for extra lemon flavor
  • Lemon wedges
  • Parsley or fresh dill for serving, optional

Instructions
 

  • Pat drumsticks dry before starting.

How to cook lemon pepper chicken drumsticks in the Oven:

  • Preheat to 425 degrees F (220 Celsius).
  • In a large bowl, measure out all your lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, salt, dill (if using) with the olive oil and fresh lemon zest.
  • Give it all a quick stir.
  • Toss the drumsticks until they're completely coated. Use your hands or tongs to really coat each piece of chicken.
  • Place the chicken on parchment paper. Don't crowd them. Give each piece of chicken enough space.
  • Bake 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • For extra crispy skin, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
  • Right after taking out these oven baked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks, drizzle with freshly squeezed lemon juice for that bright, fresh citrus pop that really makes the lemon pepper chicken drumsticks full of flavor.

How to cook lemon pepper chicken drumsticks Air Fryer Method:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F (190 Celsius) for about 5 minutes
  • Prepare chicken drumsticks exactly like you prepare the lemon pepper chicken drumsticks for the oven (see instructions and photos above).
  • Arrange drumsticks in a single layer on the air fryer basket (don't overcrowd them!). Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook them in two batches.
  • Cook about 20-25 minutes, flipping at the 12-minute mark.
  • Want extra crispy skin? Bump to 400 degrees F for the last 2-3 minutes
  • Right after taking them out of the air-fryer, drizzle with freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Notes

  • Pat your drumsticks dry before you season them so that the seasoning does not get diluted, and the flavor is more intense. 
  • Use a meat thermometer – takes all the guesswork out, depending on the size of your drumsticks. The internal temperature of the chicken should hit 165 degrees F minimum. Drumsticks can vary in size, so check the biggest ones. Also, you can do a visual check. Juices should run clear and when you cut into one, it should not be red or rose colored.
  • Don't crowd them in a single layer – give each drumstick its personal space.
  • Fresh lemon zest and juice is everything – You can make these lemon pepper chicken drumsticks without fresh lemon zest and juice, and they will still taste great. But the fresh lemon zest and juice give this lemon pepper chicken drumstick recipe that wow factor.
 
Storage:
  • Pop leftover chicken legs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat, just toss them back in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees F (175 Celsius) for about 5 minutes (air fryer) or 10-12 minutes (oven).
  • Or just eat them cold, right out of the fridge. They have tons of flavor!
 
To Freeze:
  • Let them cool completely after cooking.
  • Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
  • To reheat: Completely thaw in the fridge overnight, then pop back in the air fryer at 350°F (175 Celsius) for 5-7 minutes or oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until completely heated through.
  • Pro tip: That fresh lemon juice drizzle is even more important when you reheat them - it brings back all that moisture and bright flavor!

Nutrition

Serving: 1personCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 27gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 741mgPotassium: 429mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 230IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Chicken, Lemon, Quick and easy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!