Greek Roasted Chicken Drumsticks
By: Eleni Saltas
It’s time to spruce up your chicken cooking game with Greek Roasted Chicken Drumsticks. The simplicity and versatility of the dish is unmatched. This recipe calls for my favorite marinade of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and herbs. Recently I’ve experimented with adding a splash of soy sauce to the marinade which adds a salty tang, though white wine can suffice, too. Marinating your chicken is ideal for extra flavor, but if you’re like me and plan dinner last minute don’t fret—coat your drumsticks with oil, then sprinkle the herbs and spices all over the chicken before popping the dish into the oven. Whether you’re a planner or procrastinator, you’ll find yourself making this dish again and again.

Prep Time:
5-10min (plus marinating time)
Total Time:
50-60min
Servings:
4-6
Good For:
Dinner
Ingredients
- 10-12 drumsticks (about 3 pounds)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more to coat the pan
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (I prefer Tamari brand)*
- Zest and juice of one lemon
- 5-6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 -2 yellow onions, sliced (optional)
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the marinade: In a large mixing bowl add the olive oil, oregano, pepper, salt, garlic, soy sauce, lemon zest and lemon juice. Whisk to combine. Add the drumsticks to the bowl and coat well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes. Or if you have time, marinate for 2 hours to overnight.
Step 2
When ready to cook, heat the oven to 425° F. Lightly oil a large roasting pan or pot (large enough to fit your chicken in one single layer).
Step 3
Arrange your chicken in the pan (I alternate the direction of the bones so they all fit snuggly in the pan). Arrange the sliced onions in between the chicken. Drizzle the marinade on top and extra olive oil, if desired.
Step 4
Roast for 40-45 minutes or until the chicken is browned and the juices run clear. For extra crispy chicken, I like to flip my chicken over and set the oven to broil for the last 5-7 minutes.
Step 5
Serve warm straight from the pan to enjoy the wonderful juices.
Recipe Notes
Instead of soy sauce, you can use white wine, or omit altogether.