Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks

These Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks are juicy, garlicky, citrusy, and packed with fresh flavor. Chicken drumsticks are marinated in fresh lime juice, cilantro, garlic, cumin, and olive oil before being baked until tender and finished under the broiler for perfectly browned, slightly charred skin.

This is one of those chicken recipes that proves you really don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something incredibly flavorful.

The cilantro and lime keep everything bright and fresh, while plenty of garlic and a little cumin add savory depth. And because drumsticks stay naturally juicy while they cook, they’re pretty forgiving—which makes this an easy recipe for weeknight dinners.

While I originally started making these during grilling season, they’ve become a recipe I make year-round. You can throw them on the grill when the weather is nice or bake them right in the oven. Either way, don’t skip the marinade. That’s where all that cilantro-lime flavor gets into the chicken!

Why You’ll Love These Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks

There are so many reasons this recipe has remained one of my favorite ways to prepare chicken drumsticks.

• Packed with fresh flavor. Lime, cilantro, garlic, and cumin create a simple marinade that tastes anything but basic.
• Easy to make. Most of the work is simply mixing the marinade and letting the chicken sit.
• Perfect for weeknight dinners. Marinate the chicken ahead of time and it’s ready to pop into the oven when you’re ready to cook.
• Budget-friendly. Chicken drumsticks are an inexpensive cut of chicken that still turns out incredibly juicy and flavorful.
• Oven and grill friendly. Bake them according to the recipe below or cook them outside during grilling season.
• Great for meal prep. Make a batch and serve the leftovers with rice, beans, salads, or vegetables throughout the week.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make these cilantro lime chicken drumsticks.

Chicken Drumsticks

You’ll need 6 chicken drumsticks for this recipe. Bone-in, skin-on drumsticks stay juicy during the longer cooking time and the skin gets beautifully browned in the oven.

Fresh Limes

You’ll need 3 fresh limes. We use both the zest and juice to give the marinade plenty of bright citrus flavor.

Evi’s Tip: Zest your lime before you juice it. Trust me—it’s much easier!

Fresh Cilantro

Fresh cilantro is one of the main flavors in this recipe. Half goes into the marinade and the rest is saved for garnishing the finished chicken.

Garlic

And we’re not being shy with it! I use 6 cloves of fresh garlic because garlic + lime + cilantro is just such a good combination.

Olive Oil

Olive oil brings the marinade together and helps coat the chicken so all of those seasonings and fresh herbs stick to every drumstick.

Cumin

A teaspoon of cumin adds warmth and a subtle earthy flavor without overpowering the fresh cilantro and lime.

Salt and Black Pepper

Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to bring all the flavors together.

Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need any fancy equipment to make these Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks, but a few kitchen tools will make prep and cooking a whole lot easier.

• Large Mixing Bowl – Perfect for mixing together the cilantro lime marinade before adding it to the chicken.
• Microplane Zester – One of my most-used kitchen tools! A Microplane makes it easy to get that finely grated lime zest without digging into the bitter white pith.
• Citrus Juicer – Since we’re using three fresh limes, a handheld citrus juicer makes squeezing them quick and easy—and helps you get every last drop of juice.
• Large Baking Dish – Use a baking dish large enough to arrange the drumsticks in a single layer with a little space between each one. This helps the chicken brown instead of steam.
• Instant-Read Meat Thermometer – The easiest way to know your chicken is done. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the drumstick without touching the bone. The chicken should reach at least 165°F.
• Kitchen Tongs – Helpful for turning and serving the drumsticks, and especially useful if you decide to make the grilled version.

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How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks

Step 1: Make the Marinade

In a bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.

Zest one lime and set the zest aside. Juice all three limes and add the lime juice and zest to the marinade.

Finely chop ¼ bunch of cilantro and stir it into the marinade. Reserve the remaining cilantro for serving.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Place the chicken drumsticks into a large resealable bag or container and pour the cilantro lime marinade over the chicken.

Seal the bag and massage the marinade into the drumsticks so every piece is well coated.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

If you have a little extra time, letting the chicken marinate for a few hours will give the flavors even more time to develop.

Step 3: Bake the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Arrange the marinated chicken drumsticks in a baking dish, leaving a little room between each piece. You don’t want to overcrowd the pan because giving the drumsticks some space helps them brown instead of steam.

Pour the remaining marinade from the bag over the chicken.

Bake for 40–45 minutes, basting occasionally with the juices in the pan.

Step 4: Broil

Once the chicken is cooked through, switch your oven to broil and cook for about 2 minutes, keeping a close eye on it.

This gives the drumsticks that beautiful browned, slightly charred finish that I love.

Chicken is safely cooked when the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, making sure the thermometer isn’t touching the bone.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Finish the chicken with fresh lime slices or wedges and the remaining chopped cilantro.

I also love squeezing a little extra fresh lime juice over the drumsticks right before serving.

Evi’s Tips for the Best Cilantro Lime Chicken

Don’t Skip the Lime Zest

The juice gives us acidity, but the zest packs in concentrated lime flavor. Using both makes a huge difference.

Give the Chicken Room

Don’t crowd all of the drumsticks together in the baking dish. Leaving a little space between them allows the heat to circulate and helps the skin brown.

Use Fresh Lime Juice

Since lime is one of the main flavors in this recipe, fresh really does make a difference here.

Broil at the End

Those last couple of minutes under the broiler are one of my favorite parts of this recipe. You get crispy browned edges that give you some of that charred flavor I love when making these on the grill.

Just watch the chicken closely because broilers work FAST!

Use a Meat Thermometer

Drumsticks can vary quite a bit in size, so cooking time is always going to be an estimate.

Instead of relying only on time, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken without touching the bone. The chicken should reach at least 165°F.

How Long Should You Marinate Cilantro Lime Chicken?

I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes so the garlic, cilantro, cumin, and lime have time to flavor the drumsticks.

If you have more time, you can let the chicken marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator.

Because this marinade contains quite a bit of fresh lime juice, I don’t recommend assuming that longer is always better. Citrus is acidic, and leaving chicken in a highly acidic marinade for too long can eventually affect its texture.

For an easy weeknight dinner, you can mix everything together a few hours before dinner, refrigerate it, and then bake when you’re ready.

Can I Grill Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks?

Absolutely! In fact, grilling is one of my favorite ways to make this recipe.

The fresh cilantro-lime marinade is especially good when combined with the smoky flavor and char you get from the grill.

Preheat your grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates. Remove the drumsticks from the marinade and grill them, turning periodically, until they’re browned on all sides and cooked through.

Because grill temperatures and drumstick sizes vary, use an instant-read thermometer rather than relying solely on cooking time. The chicken should reach at least 165°F in the thickest part.

And if you’re grilling, definitely throw some vegetables on there too!

What to Serve With Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks

These drumsticks are incredibly versatile, but rice and beans will forever be one of my favorite combinations.

Cilantro Lime Rice

My Easy Cilantro Lime Rice is probably the most obvious pairing for this chicken—and for good reason. The fluffy rice, fresh cilantro, and lime mirror the flavors in the chicken and make the whole meal feel bright and fresh.

Cuban Black Beans

Add a side of Easy Cuban Black Beans and you’ve got one seriously satisfying dinner. The savory cumin-spiced beans pair perfectly with the citrusy chicken.

Fresh Corn Salsa

For something lighter, spoon some Fresh Corn Salsa alongside the chicken. The sweet corn and fresh vegetables are especially good during the warmer months.

Mango Salsa

Want a little sweet with your savory? Fresh mango salsa is delicious with cilantro lime chicken because the sweetness of the mango balances the acidity from the lime.

You can also keep things incredibly simple and serve these drumsticks with white rice, roasted vegetables, a green salad, or grilled vegetables.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover cilantro lime chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to reheat them, warm the chicken in a 350°F oven until heated through. The oven is my preferred method because it helps the skin crisp back up.

For a quicker option, you can also reheat individual drumsticks in the microwave, although the skin will be softer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do chicken drumsticks take to cook at 400°F?

For this recipe, the drumsticks typically take about 40–45 minutes at 400°F.

The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your drumsticks and your oven, so always check the internal temperature before serving.

What temperature should chicken drumsticks be cooked to?

Chicken should reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. Insert your thermometer into the thickest part of the drumstick without touching the bone.

Can I make cilantro lime chicken ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare the marinade and marinate the chicken ahead of time, then keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to cook.

This makes it especially convenient for busy weeknights.

Can I use chicken thighs instead?

Yes. The cilantro lime marinade would also be delicious with bone-in chicken thighs.

Because the size and thickness are different from drumsticks, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly and use the internal temperature to determine when they’re done.

Can I make this recipe without cilantro?

Cilantro is a major part of the flavor of this particular recipe, so removing it will definitely change the final result.

If you don’t enjoy cilantro, you could experiment with another fresh herb such as parsley, but the flavor won’t be the same as the original cilantro lime chicken.

Why do you broil the chicken after baking?

Broiling the drumsticks for a couple of minutes at the end helps brown and slightly char the outside of the chicken.

It’s an easy way to give oven-baked drumsticks some of the color and flavor you’d normally get from the grill.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

If you’re looking for more flavorful ways to switch up chicken night, try my Cuban Chicken & Black Bean Rice Bowls next. They’re made with juicy citrus-marinated chicken, cilantro lime rice, seasoned black beans, and all the toppings.

You can also browse more of my Quick & Easy Recipes for weeknight dinner inspiration.

Final Thoughts

These Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks are proof that a simple marinade can completely transform everyday chicken.

Fresh lime juice and zest bring the brightness, cilantro keeps everything fresh, plenty of garlic adds savory flavor, and cumin gives the marinade just enough warmth. Finish the drumsticks under the broiler—or throw them on the grill—and you get juicy chicken with those delicious browned, slightly charred edges.

Serve them with my Easy Cilantro Lime Rice and Cuban Black Beans for an easy dinner that is absolutely packed with flavor.

If you make these Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and recipe rating below, and don’t forget to tag @evseats when you share your plate.

Happy cooking!

— Evi ❤️