Are you craving succulent, tender, and oh-so-flavorful chicken legs with a satisfying crispy skin? Look no further! We're making the best chicken drumsticks recipe that is simple, flavorful and mouthwateringly delicious. Enjoy these tips and techniques that will help you achieve poultry perfection and unlock the secrets to creating the best oven baked chicken legs that will leave you wanting more with every bite.
Busy weeknights call for simple yet satisfying meals that can be prepared with ease. Oven-baked chicken legs are the best way to get a delicious dinner on the table quickly. The hands-on preparation time is minimal, requiring only a few minutes to season the chicken and pop it into the oven. The baking time takes a bit longer than the prep but while the chicken bakes to perfection, you can utilize this time to attend to other household tasks, help your kids with their homework or just relax with a glass of wine.
Easy chicken recipes are my go-to when life gets busy. Chicken legs are incredibly versatile and can be seasoned to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer a zesty lemon herb marinade, a smoky barbecue glaze, or a savory garlic and paprika rub, the oven's gentle heat will work its magic, infusing the chicken with mouthwatering flavors. Additionally, you can effortlessly pair them with a variety of sides such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a refreshing salad, making it a complete and wholesome meal in one go. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, oven-baked chicken legs are the perfect solution for busy weeknights, satisfying both your taste buds and time constraints.
This recipe was inspired by my air fryer chicken legs recipe which is perfect for those without an air fryer. It's as simple as my grilled chicken leg quarters recipe but perfect for all weather and an affordable twist on my oven baked chicken breasts recipe.
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Ingredients
- Chicken – This recipe is perfect for chicken drumsticks but also works for chicken thighs or chicken breasts. Be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Olive Oil – Use your favorite light, neutral-flavored oil.
- Seasoning – a combination of kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, garlic powder and paprika is simple yet flavorful.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Pat the chicken legs with paper towels to remove excess moisture. In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Put the drumsticks in a large bowl and toss with the olivevoil and seasoning. Mix well so that they are well coated.
2. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a 400 degrees Fahrenheit oven for about 45 minutes or until chicken skin is golden brown.
3. Test with an instant read meat thermometer. The internal temeprature needs to be a minimum of 165 F but can go to 190F.
4. Turn the oven on broil the last minute of cooking if you want extra crispy skin. Remove from oven and season with more salt and pepper to taste if desired before serving.
Hint: You can also make this with chicken thighs or chicken breasts. I prefer dark meat for extra juicy chicken.
Seasoning Substitutions and Ideas
Salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika make a simple yet delicious chicken seasoning and you likely have all of the ingredients in your pantry. It's my go to for quick and easy chicken but you can season with your favorite flavors.
- Classic Garlic and Herb – Create a delicious blend of minced garlic, dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley, salt, and black pepper. Rub the mixture onto the chicken legs, allowing the flavors to infuse as they bake.
- Spicy Cajun – For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a Cajun-inspired seasoning is perfect. Combine paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Adjust the spice level to your preference, then coat the chicken legs generously for a bold and zesty flavor.
- Tangy Barbecue – Give your chicken legs a smoky and tangy kick with a barbecue-inspired seasoning. Create a mixture of brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. I like to brush the chicken legs with my pineapple BBQ sauce at the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Lemon Herb – Brighten up your chicken legs with a refreshing combination of lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried basil, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. The citrusy tang and aromatic herbs will add a burst of freshness to each bite.
- Honey Mustard Glaze – Combine Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, a touch of vinegar, salt, and black pepper to create a sweet and savory glaze. Brush the chicken legs with the glaze before baking, allowing them to develop a sticky and delicious coating.
Leftovers/ Storage
Leftover oven baked chicken legs can be wrapped in plastic or aluminum foil or placed in an airtight container int he fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in a 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
Chicken legs can be frozen for up to 3 months. Cool completely before wrapping or transferring to an airtight container.
Recipe Cooking Tips
- Use other cuts of chicken if desired (wings, chicken thighs, chicken quarters, chicken breasts) being sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning.
- Always cook chicken to 165 degrees F when checked with a digital meat thermometer. This is a safe internal temperature however I find that 180 to 190 degrees is the best temperature to get the crispiest and juiciest oven-baked chicken drumsticks.
- Bake chicken drumsticks in a preheated oven.
- Cook at a 400 degrees F oven temperature then use higher temperatures such as the broiler to crisp the skin.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- For extra crispy chicken legs, cook them on an oven proof baking rack.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the drumsticks.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps to retain the juices and make the chicken more flavorful.
FAQ's
On average it will take about 45 minutes to cook chicken legs in a 400 degrees F oven. The cooking time can vary depending on the size of the chicken legs so it's important to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Larger drumsticks may take a bit longer.
Use a digital thermometer to check for doneness. The temperature should be a minimum of 165 degrees F when checked with a instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
To get super crispy chicken, begin by drying the chicken with paper towels before seasoning to remove as much excess moisture. If possible, bake them on an oven proof rack. When the chicken legs are fully cooked, place them under the broiler for several minutes to further crisp the skin.
Serving Suggestions
In addition to oven baked chicken legs being so easy to make, they are also a super versatile protein. You can serve them with comfort food dishes like mashed potatoes and mac and cheese or make them more healthy with steamed veggies or a salad.
These are some of my favorite side dishes to serve oven baked chicken legs with :
If you like this baked chicken legs recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
The Best Oven Baked Chicken Legs
Equipment
- 1 baking pan
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 8 drumsticks depending on size)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if desired.
- Pat the chicken legs with paper towels to remove excess moisture. In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Put the drumsticks in a large bowl and toss with the olivevoil and seasoning. Mix well so that they are well coated.
- Place drumsticks on the prepared pan and bake for about 45 minutes or until chicken skin is golden brown. Test with an instant read thermometer. The internal temperature needs to be a minimum of 165 F but can go to 190F.
- Turn the oven on broil the last minute of cooking if you want extra crispy skin. Remove from oven and season with more salt and pepper to taste if desired before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Nancy
We had lots of chicken thighs and legs and made this recipe. It came out super juicy and flavourful
Carrie Robinson
These look perfect! And I love the spice blend you used on these- simple, yet flavorful. 🙂
sophie
I tried it out, and it was absolutely delicious. The combination of ingredients and seasonings resulted in flavorful and tender chicken legs that were a hit with my family.
Tristin
My kids loved these baked chicken legs! They were super easy to make and came out so juicy. Will be making again.
Katie Crenshaw
The chicken turned out perfect. They were so easy cooking in the oven. The skin turned out crispy.
Jamie
Wow! Another chicken dish that will be loved and enjoyed! This looks amazingly delicious and very appealing too! A perfect chicken dish for any occasion! Loved it!
Ann
These chicken legs turned out delicious! You would have never guessed they were baked in the oven! Thanks for the recipe share!
Marie
Made these chicken legs with your lemon herb flavor combination and they were finger licking good! The meat was super tender, juicy, and flavorful. The family loved it!
NATALIA
I’ve made these baked chicken legs so many times! Sooooo, so good. Like SUPER DELICIOUS! Definitely changed the baked chicken game.
Amy Liu Dong
I love how simple, easy, and delicious this recipe is. I am pretty sure everyone will love this!
Ieva
Easy and delicious with perfect amount of seasoning for us! Great instructions for begonners too!