This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and highly recommend. You can read my full disclosure . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
These marinated chicken drumsticks are soaked in a homemade lemon-garlic herb marinade, then cooked in the air fryer until golden brown and juicy. The marinade uses simple ingredients to give the chicken plenty of flavor, while the air fryer makes it easy to get nicely browned skin without turning on the oven.
I like making these marinated chicken legs ahead of time so they’re ready to cook for dinner. Serve them with my garlic butter rice for a satisfying meal. For the times when you’d rather skip marinating, try my air fryer dry rub chicken drumsticks instead.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful homemade marinade: Fresh garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs season the drumsticks without needing a bottled marinade.
- Great for meal prep: Marinate the chicken overnight or up to two days ahead so it’s ready whenever you want to cook.
- Golden brown, juicy chicken: The air fryer helps brown the skin while keeping the dark meat tender.
Ingredients Needed
You’ll need chicken drumsticks and a few ingredients for the homemade chicken drumstick marinade.
- Chicken drumsticks: Use fresh or completely thawed chicken legs so they can marinate evenly.
- Salt-free herb seasoning: I use 24 Herbs Sprinkle Seasoning. You can substitute a salt-free Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence.
- Fresh garlic: Minced garlic adds plenty of flavor to the marinade.
- Olive oil: Helps coat the chicken with the seasonings. Avocado oil works, too.
- Lemon juice: Adds a bright, tangy flavor. Fresh or bottled lemon juice works.
- Sea salt and black pepper: Season the chicken alongside the herbs and garlic.
See the recipe card below for the exact ingredient amounts.
You can get the full list of ingredient amounts and instructions from the full recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Make Marinated Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer
Make the Chicken Drumstick Marinade
Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, herb seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
Marinate the Chicken
Pat the drumsticks dry, then toss them in the marinade until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to give the chicken time to absorb the flavors.
Air Fry the Chicken Drumsticks
Shake off excess marinade and arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until the skin is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Discard any remaining marinade that touched the raw chicken.
How Long to Cook Marinated Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer
I cook these marinated chicken drumsticks in my Ninja Foodi at 400°F for 12–15 minutes per side, or about 24–30 minutes total.
The exact cooking time depends on the size of the drumsticks. Larger pieces may need a few extra minutes. The chicken should reach 165°F in the thickest part without touching the bone.
For the best browning, avoid stacking or overcrowding the drumsticks. If your air fryer can’t hold all of them in a single layer, cook them in batches.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Marinate ahead: You can keep the chicken covered in the refrigerator with the marinade for up to two days before cooking.
- Freeze for later: Add the uncooked chicken and marinade to a freezer-safe bag and freeze. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before air frying.
What to Serve With Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
These lemon-garlic herb chicken drumsticks go well with simple vegetables, potatoes, or comforting Southern sides. Here are some of my favorites for making a complete dinner:
- Vegetable sides: Keep things simple with my sautéed green beans or buttery Southern cabbage.
- Potatoes: Try my browned butter mashed potatoes for something creamy or air fryer potato wedges for a crispy side.
- Comfort-food favorite: My baked macaroni and cheese makes this an extra-hearty family dinner.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover cooked drumsticks in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Reheating: Warm the chicken in the air fryer or microwave until heated through. Avoid overheating so the meat stays juicy.
Marinated Chicken Drumsticks (Air Fryer)
Use DRDAVINAHS at checkout to save on some equipment & ingredients!
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken Drumsticks Marinade
- 1 tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt, use DRDAVINAHS to save!
- 1 tbsp 24 Herbs Sprinkle Seasoning (Salt-free), or another salt-free mixed herb seasoning like Herbs de Provence or Italian Seasoning
- 2 tbsp Garlic, cloves, minced, about 8 cloves
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/3 cup Olive Oil, or avocado oil
- 3 tbsp Lemon Juice, fresh or bottled work
Instructions
- Add the salt, herb seasoning, garlic, black pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice to a large bowl. Whisk to incorporate.
- Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel.
- Add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl, and mix them evenly with the marinade.
- Cover and marinate for at least 4 hours (ideally overnight)
- Take the chicken about 15-30 minutes before cooking.
- Stir the chicken in the marinade one last time.
- Add the chicken to the air fryer cooking basket in an even layer.
- Air crisp the drumsticks at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes per side.
Save This Recipe for Later
I’ll email you a link to this recipe so it’s easy to find when you’re ready to make it.
Recipe Notes
- Marinate for up to two days: the longer you allow your chicken the marinate, the better in terms of flavor. I add my chicken legs and marinade to a large zipper bag and store it in the refrigerator until I am ready to cook them later in the week.
- Freeze uncooked chicken with the marinade for later: Sometimes, meal plans change. You can also add the chicken with the marinade on it to the freezer (one benefit of using a freezer bag to store it). Simply take your chicken out 24 hours before you want to use it so that it can thaw in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
jolene says
We love this recipe! We use an herb and za’atar blend that works well with the lemon in the marinade.
Thank you!
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
So glad you love the recipe! The herb and za’atar blend with the lemon in the marinade sounds like a fantastic twist. Enjoy, and feel free to share your own variations anytime!
Jules says
Your food blog is amazing. Love everything I have tried so far
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
We really appreciate you stopping back to write such a thoughtful review! 🙂