This 5-ingredient oven chicken is the kind of simple family dinner that saves the day when you need something easy, filling, and dependable. Raw chicken drumsticks bake right in a glass dish with a handful of pantry staples, creating tender meat and a savory, sticky coating with hardly any fuss. It is a wonderful budget-friendly meal for busy weeknights, and drumsticks are especially nice for feeding a table of hungry kids and adults alike.
Serve this chicken with mashed potatoes, rice, buttered noodles, or roasted vegetables to catch all the flavorful juices in the pan. A crisp green salad, steamed green beans, or sweet corn on the side helps round things out, and warm dinner rolls are always welcome if you want a cozy, complete meal.
5-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
3 pounds chicken drumsticks
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil so the chicken releases easily after baking.
2. Arrange the raw chicken drumsticks in the baking dish in a single layer.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder until smooth.
4. Pour the sauce evenly over the drumsticks, turning them once if needed so they are well coated.
5. Bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes, turning the drumsticks once halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches 165°F in the thickest part. If you want a little extra color, spoon some of the pan sauce over the tops during the last 10 minutes of baking.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices settle and the glaze clings nicely to each piece.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: If your family prefers milder flavors, reduce the soy sauce slightly and serve the drumsticks with extra ketchup on the side. This keeps the chicken familiar and kid-friendly while still giving it good oven-baked flavor.
Make it a little sweeter: For a stickier, sweeter finish, add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar. The sauce will caramelize a bit more as it bakes and gives the drumsticks a barbecue-style feel.
Add a little spice: Stir a pinch of crushed red pepper or a dash of hot sauce into the glaze if your table likes heat. It is an easy way to make one simple recipe feel a little more grown-up without changing the method.
Use the right temperature check: Drumsticks are best when checked with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part near the bone without touching the bone itself. That small step helps make sure the chicken is fully cooked but still juicy.
Easy cleanup tip: Let the baking dish soak in warm soapy water after dinner if the glaze has caramelized around the edges. It makes cleanup much easier, especially on busy weeknights.