Baked Chicken Legs Recipe

why make this recipe

This baked chicken legs recipe is quick, simple, and tasty. It uses basic spices and oven heat to make crispy skin and juicy meat. You can make it any night of the week with little work.

introduction

This recipe uses a small spice mix and olive oil to give drumsticks good color and flavor. If you like easy baked chicken ideas, try baked caprese chicken recipe for a different but simple dinner option.

how to make Baked Chicken Legs Recipe

Bring the chicken to room temperature, mix the spices with oil, coat each drumstick, and bake. Start at 400°F for 30 minutes, then brush the legs with the oil from the tray and bake 5–10 more minutes until the skin gets crispy and the meat is fully cooked.

Ingredients :

• 8 skin-on chicken drumsticks (approx. 2 pounds total weight)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp sea salt (cut back to 1 tsp if you’re not a fan of salt.)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp onion powder
• 1 Tbsp smoked or sweet paprika
• 1 Tbsp dry mustard (optional)

Directions :

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
• Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and black pepper to a small mixing bowl.
• Using a fork, blend the spices together.
• Add the olive oil to the spices and blend them together.
• Allow the chicken legs to come to room temperature.
• Using a pastry brush (or your hands) coat the chicken legs with the seasoning oil mixture. Make sure to coat the entire drumstick.
• Place the chicken legs in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet, making sure to leave room between the drumsticks.
• Bake the chicken legs for 30 minutes at 400 degrees on the middle rack of your oven.
• Brush the legs with the oil that has gathered on the tray and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until crispy (cooking time may vary).
• *If you use an instant-read thermometer the internal temperature must be at least 165 degrees. At this temperature and time, they should be well above that internal temp

how to serve Baked Chicken Legs Recipe

Serve hot. They go well with a simple salad, steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes. You can squeeze a little lemon over the legs for brightness.

how to store Baked Chicken Legs Recipe

Cool the chicken to room temperature (no more than two hours), then put in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, warm in a 350°F oven until hot, or use an air fryer for extra crispness.

tips to make Baked Chicken Legs Recipe

• Pat the skin dry before seasoning to help it crisp.
• Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before baking.
• Use the oil that collects on the tray to baste during the last minutes for extra flavor and crisp skin.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check for 165°F internal temperature at the thickest part.

variation (if any)

• Spice it up: add 1 tsp cayenne or red pepper flakes for heat.
• Herb version: add 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary to the spice mix.
• Honey glaze: in the last 5 minutes brush with a mix of 1 tbsp honey and 1 tsp mustard for a sweet finish.

FAQs

Q: How long do I bake chicken legs at 400°F?
A: Bake 30 minutes, then brush with tray oil and bake 5–10 more minutes until crispy and done.

Q: How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
A: Use an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should be at least 165°F.

Q: Can I use bone-in chicken thighs instead?
A: Yes. Thighs need a similar time but check with a thermometer as size can change cooking time.

Q: Do I need to flip the drumsticks while baking?
A: No need to flip. Just place them skin-side up and baste once during the last bake time.

Q: Can I make this ahead and reheat?
A: Yes. Store in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheat in the oven or air fryer for best crispness.

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