Easy BLW Chicken Drumsticks (Only 3 Steps)

Today I’m sharing my BLW chicken drumsticks recipe to help you prepare dinner quickly.

These drumsticks are savory, packed with good herbs, and take 30 minutes to make.

Who says babies and toddlers can’t enjoy chicken drumsticks?

Drumsticks are one of the easiest ways to feed chicken to your baby because they can grab them to feed themselves easily.

Why I Love This Chicken Drumstick Recipe For Babies 

This particular chicken drumstick recipe is great to make for babies and toddlers. 

All you have to do is toss the chicken with some herbs and bake them until they’re done.

What could be easier than that?

I used my cast iron skillet to sear the drumsticks before placing them in the oven to cook completely.

This gives it some extra flavor that makes it impossible for my kids to resist.

You don’t have to sear the chicken beforehand if you don’t want that extra step.

Recipe Notes on Baby-Led Weaning Chicken Drumsticks 

You can use your favorite herb for this recipe 

Don’t worry if you don’t have the herbs I mentioned in the recipe. You can use any herb you have to make these chicken drumsticks. 

Just make sure that you don’t use anything spicy so your baby will be able to eat them.

Use this test to check that the chicken is fully cooked 

I don’t use a meat thermometer to cook (I can never find it when I need it). So to make sure that the chicken is done, I use my special test method.

Stab the chicken with a fork or knife and observe the color of the juices flowing out.

If the juices run completely clear and the meat is white, then it’s done. 

If the meat isn’t white and the juices aren’t clear, then cook for another 15 minutes and repeat the test until the meat is cooked.

Large drumsticks might need a longer cooking time 

If you’re using large drumsticks for this recipe, then you’ll have to adjust the cooking time.

Your chicken may not finish cooking after 30 minutes. So make sure that you use my test method above to check that the chicken is done. 

You can also use a meat thermometer of course.

Stab the chicken to help them cook quicker 

To help the chicken drumsticks cook quicker and more evenly, you should stab them with a fork or knife.

Doing so will get the heat into the meat and cook it better.

Ingredients For Chicken Drumsticks For Baby

Chicken Drumsticks – I used medium-sized chicken drumsticks for this recipe. The larger your drumsticks, the longer it will take to cook.

Seasonings – I used Italian seasoning, powdered garlic, parsley flakes, black pepper, dried and oregano to season the chicken. 

You can use whatever type of seasoning you prefer. There’s no hard and fast rule for seasoning chicken drumsticks.

Bouillon powder – I used this in place of salt to help give the chicken some flavor. If you don’t have bouillon powder, you can use a little salt instead.

Canola oil – this helps the seasoning to stick to the chicken drumsticks so they can be absorbed better. 

Cooking Directions For BLW Chicken Drumsticks 

• Set oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit 
• Add all the ingredients into a large ziplock bag, and mix them by squishing the bag. 
• Poke the drumsticks with a fork, and add them to the bag. Mix thoroughly and allow to rest for 30 minutes. 
• Place a heavy pan (like cast iron) on medium heat. Place the drumsticks into the pan to sear them on both sides until they’re a little brown.
• Immediately remove the chicken drumsticks and place them on a baking tray. pour any juice from the skillet into the baking tray as well.
• Cook them for 30-40 minutes and flipping halfway through. Check for doneness. 
• Serve warm 

Step-by-Step Instructions 

What To Serve With Chicken Drumsticks For Babies

Serve with rice and veggies 

One of my favorite ways to feed chicken to my baby and toddler is to serve them with rice.

I cook brown rice and mix it with mixed vegetables (either frozen or fresh). 

This way, I know they’re getting a balanced meal.

Serve with pasta 

Another way to feed chicken drumsticks for baby-led weaning is to serve them with pasta. 

The best pasta for a baby are large ones like penne and farfalle. You can also use stringy ones like spaghetti.

Serve them in tomato sauce 

If your chicken drumsticks are a little dry, you could make some tomato sauce and serve them with it.

Try my easy tomato sauce recipe for babies that has been in my husband’s family for generations.

How To Cut Chicken Drumsticks For Baby and Toddlers 

6-9 Months old

Children between 6 – 9 months old can be served whole chicken drumsticks. 

Make sure to remove the skin, stringy tendons, and cartilage before handing it to your baby. 

This is done to prevent them from choking on the hard parts. 

At this age, they will lick and explore the chicken.

They may get a few bites in their mouths. Allow them to chew and explore. 

If they begin to gag, allow them to gag the chicken out on their own without sticking your finger in their mouths. This will help them learn to spit out food they don’t want. 

9-12 months old

Kids between 9 and 12 months can be fed shredded pieces of chicken drumsticks. 

12- 24 months and older

By 12-24 months, toddlers can begin eating whole chicken drumsticks. 

FAQs About Chicken Drumsticks For Baby-Led Weaning

Can a 6-month-old baby have chicken drumsticks?

A 6-month-old can enjoy chicken drumsticks in two ways. You can give them a large drumstick for them to bite and explore. 

They will probably not eat much of it, but it’s good for tasting and exploration. You can also give them just the bone for them to use as a teether. 

Storage Tips For Chicken Drumsticks 

Can I refrigerate chicken drumsticks for a baby?

You can refrigerate the drumsticks for up to a week in the fridge. But I suggest you put them in the freezer if you’re not going to eat them all by day 5. 

Can I freeze chicken drumsticks for baby-led weaning?

The best way to store drumsticks long-term is by freezing them. Place them in an airtight container and freeze for as long as you need. 

Reheating BLW Chicken Drumsticks 

In the oven

If your drumsticks are frozen, then leave them out on the counter or in the fridge until they defrost.

Then place them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat them for about 30 minutes or until the insides are hot. 

In the microwave 

You can also reheat defrosted chicken drumsticks in the microwave. Place them in a microwave-safe plate and heat on high power for about 2-5 minutes or until the center is hot. 

Tips for Picky Eaters

Don’t pressure

Give your baby or toddler a chance to say no. It’s okay if they don’t like what we serve them. Keep trying. 

It takes at least 30 exposures for a baby to begin liking a food, so don’t give up.

Make it into a game

Sometimes I create games around the food I serve to get my kids interested in eating. 

A game we’ve played in the past is called “Here comes the airplane… open the garage”. This encourages them to open their mouth as I bring the food in like an airplane.

Sometimes my kids will try new foods this way.

Related recipes 

• Easy Baby-led Weaning Breaded Chicken Breast 
• Easy BLW Butter Chicken – Tikka Masala (Indian Style)
• Baby-led Weaning Garlic Chicken Breast Bites

Did you make this baby-led weaning dinner recipe? 

Let me know in the comments how it turned out!