Gluten-Free Oven Baked Mississippi Chicken Drumsticks

One of the most frugal meats to use for dinner is chicken drumsticks, but sometimes they can get a little boring, unless you have this flavorful recipe hiding in your back pocket. Oven-Baked Mississippi Chicken Drumsticks are packed with zesty flavor and a tasty gravy that pairs wonderfully with a side of mashed potatoes. This is the ultimate comfort meal that can easily be made gluten-free too!

This is one of my favorite recipes because it uses pantry staples and simple ingredients. We love Mississippi Pot Roast, so it’s a given that we’ve got to make it with chicken too. This entire dish is all made in one pan; that’s right, just one pan, making it quick and easy for cleanup too. The best part? If you’re pressed for time, try these Air Fryer Mississippi Chicken Drumsticks too; you can make this recipe in the oven or air fryer!

Table of contents

• What is Mississippi Chicken?
• What You’ll Love About this Recipe
• Ingredient Notes
• How to Make Oven-Baked Mississippi Chicken Drumsticks
• Quick Tips
• Variations and Substitutions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• What to Serve with Mississippi Chicken
• More Mississippi Inspired Recipes
• Storage Tips

What is Mississippi Chicken?

Mississippi Chicken is a savory, low-carb dish inspired by the famous Mississippi Pot Roast. It involves seasoning chicken pieces with ranch dressing mix and au jus or brown gravy, then topping it with real butter and whole or sliced pickled pepperoncini peppers before baking until tender, rich, and flavorful.

What You’ll Love About this Recipe

• Perfectly made in one dish!
• Easy to make gluten-free.
• Full of flavorful, tender chicken.
• Kid-friendly!

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken Drumsticks – Look for plump legs with skin intact to trap the juice.
• Dry Ranch Seasoning – Use one packet of dry ranch seasoning.
• Dry Brown Gravy Mix or Gluten-Free Brown Gravy Mix – This can be dry au jus or brown gravy mix. For gluten-free, I use gluten-free brown gravy mix.
• Unsalted Butter – Sliced to melt evenly over the chicken.
• Pepperoncini Peppers – Use about 5 peppers, adds a tangy kick to the chicken.

How to Make Oven-Baked Mississippi Chicken Drumsticks

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
3. In a small bowl, mix the dry ranch seasoning and dry gravy mix.
4. Place the chicken drumsticks into the pan.
5. Sprinkle the dry seasoning mixture directly over the chicken.
6. Cut the butter into small slices and place over the chicken along with the peppers.
7. Bake uncovered for 35-50 minutes or until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 170-175°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Quick Tips

• Pat the chicken dry; this is the best way to get the crispest skin.
• Don’t add any extra salt because the seasoning has salt.
• Adjust the peppers if you want it more or less spicy.
• Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature above 170°F.

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap the chicken drumsticks for chicken thighs.
• Make this gluten-free with gluten-free gravy mix.
• Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Frequently Asked Questions

This recipe is mild when made as written; add additional pepperoncini and red pepper flakes to make it spicy.

Yes, but chicken breasts dry out much faster than drumsticks; the temperature would need to be adjusted to 375°F for about 25-30 minutes.

Leave the dish uncovered to allow all the dry seasonings to roast and the skin to get crispy.

It will cook with or without rotating; this is going to be up to your personal preference.

What to Serve with Mississippi Chicken

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

White Rice

Green Beans

Dinner Rolls

More Mississippi Inspired Recipes

Smoked Mississippi Roast

Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

Smoked Mississippi Chicken

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Roast

Easy Mississippi Meatloaf

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, heat in the air fryer at 350°F for 4 minutes.

Make a bold, flavorful meal all in one pan with Oven Baked Mississippi Chicken Drumsticks. This is a frugal, simple recipe that will make dinnertime a breeze!