Simple Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

When the weather starts to get warm, I cannot help but start dreaming of summer...spending time at the pool and the beach, enjoying leisurely days (ha, yeah right), vacations, and of course, barbecues. And nothing says barbecue like chicken drumsticks!

It was 70 degrees and sunny here in New Jersey yesterday, and I just couldn't get this recipe out of my head. Fortunately, it was already on the meal plan for later in the month, so I quickly switched it up (since everything on my plan is suitable for a weeknight). I will be honest here, though. My husband is the outdoor griller. I am a whiz with the grill pan and I can make a killer marinade. But when it comes to firing up the actual grill, I leave that to the master!

So for this busy weeknight, all I needed to do is turn on the oven and I was ready to rock!

This recipe really is so easy. You can use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce or you can make your own. Because I already had a late start on marinating them, I chose to use store-bought. My favorite is Sweet Baby Ray's. It's not as healthy as homemade, but it's gluten-free and oh so delicious! With the time I saved using store-bought bbq sauce, I managed to make a lightened-up homemade coleslaw and corn on the cob for the sides.

Can you imagine a more perfect summer meal? All you need are some drumsticks and a few other common ingredients and these can be on your table in a snap, too!

And if you'd like to read more about monthly meal planning, visit my post:

https://www.thegreenestgrassblog.com/post/how-meal-planning-changed-my-lif

Simple Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks (with skin)

• 3/4 cup barbecue sauce

• 1 tbs apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• Olive oil cooking spray

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Place drumsticks in a large bowl or bag and coat with sauce mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

2. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with olive oil spray.

3. Place drumsticks on prepared baking sheet and brush with barbecue sauce. Place oven and cook for 15 minutes.

4. Remove sheet from oven, turn over drumsticks, brush with more barbecue sauce and return to oven for another 15 minutes.

5. Once again, remove and flip drumstick and brush with the rest of the barbecue sauce. Bake for 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

6. Service with your favorite sides.

ENJOY!