Baked Chicken Legs
563 Comments
Posted: 07/27/20
Updated: 09/15/21
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Tender, juicy Baked Chicken Legs that are tossed in a delicious seasoning made with pantry staples then baked. They have an amazing flavor, crispy skin and are a hit at every dinner table!
We love chicken around here and there’s no shortage of chicken recipes on this site including these tender, juicy oven-baked chicken legs. If you’ve been wanting to switch out regular chicken breasts for something new, these crispy legs are the recipe to try!
Baking chicken legs in the oven is so super easy (so are chicken thighs!). They’re first seasoned with spices and then all you do is pop them in the oven! It’s one of my favorite main dishes to make because they pretty much go with all the side dishes – macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables are just a few favorites!
If you want other baked chicken leg recipes you should also check out my barbecue chicken legs and air fryer chicken drumsticks. They’re so delicious, too!
But, today it’s all about the oven so if you’re ready to learn how to bake chicken legs with deliciously crispy skin keep on scrollin’! I’m sharing all of my best tips with you!
Contents
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Ingredients
This recipe is so easy – you probably have all of the ingredients for the seasoning sitting in your pantry now! Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Chicken drumsticks
- Olive oil
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Onion powder
I really love to use smoked paprika in the seasoning because it gives the chicken a hint of smokiness like you get when you grill. But if you only have regular paprika that will work, too.
Recipe Tips
To get really crispy skin you need to thoroughly dry the chicken first. Use paper towels to pat them dry – removing the excess moisture from the skin will make it easier to get that perfectly crispy skin!
Then, just pop the drumsticks in a large resealable bag along with the olive oil. Seal the bag and toss to coat the chicken in the oil. Add all of the seasoning, seal the bag again and toss again to coat the legs evenly with the spices.
For easy clean-up I like to line my baking sheet with foil. Go ahead and lightly coat it with cooking spray to keep the drumsticks from sticking while they bake.
I like to bake them at 425 degrees. The high temperature really helps to crisp the skin. Bake them uncovered on the baking sheet – you don’t have to turn them, just leave them to cook and after about 40 to 45 minutes they’ll be ready!
How do you know when they’re done?
The best way to tell is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Baked chicken should be cooked to a temperature of at least 165 degrees, but for legs I let them cook longer. Sometimes there are red spots in the meat near the bone and if you cook them a little longer those disappear. The meat will still be really juicy and tender!
You can also just cut into one and check that it’s cooked all the way through. The meat should be thoroughly cooked to the bone and the juices should run clear. But, seriously, I recommend a thermometer – it just makes life so much easier.
How long does baked chicken last?
Cooked chicken lasts for up to four days in the refrigerator. You can enjoy it warmed up, but the skin won’t be as crispy. Sometimes I just pull the meat off the bone and store it for easy sandwiches and salads for lunch. It’s delicious cold or warmed up!
What should I serve with them?
- Any kind of potato dish is great to serve with them like German potato salad, hasselback potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, or my amazing crack potatoes!
- Add a healthy veggie side dish like glazed carrots, cooked asparagus, or air fryer broccoli.
- They also go great with baked beans, garlic butter noodles, or Parmesan orzo!
No one can resist these crispy-skin chicken legs! Once you try them I’m sure you’ll make them again and again. They’re so easy to make and turn out perfect every time I make them. They’re so delicious!
Have you tried this recipe? I’d love if you would rate it!! A five-star rating will make my day! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats that way I’m sure to see your pictures!!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Baked Chicken Legs
Tender, juicy chicken legs that are tossed in seasonings and baked until they have a crispy skin!
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks about 2 lb
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degree F.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking oil. Set aside.
- Remove drumsticks from packaging. Pat them dry with paper towels. Place into a bowl or resealable plastic bag. Add oil oil and toss to coat.
- In a small bowl combine seasonings. Add to bowl/bag and toss until chicken is coated.
- Place drumsticks on the baking sheet. Place in a preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees or higher.
Tips
- Technically the internal temperature needs to be 165 degrees F, but I find that there are no bloody spots around the bones if you cook it a little longer and the chicken is fall off the bone tender and juicy.
Video
Nutrition Information
Calories: 310kcal (16%), Carbohydrates: 2g (1%), Protein: 27g (54%), Fat: 21g (32%), Saturated Fat: 5g (31%), Cholesterol: 139mg (46%), Sodium: 743mg (32%), Potassium: 364mg (10%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 489IU (10%), Calcium: 15mg (2%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
BJ says
This simple and delicious recipe has become my family’s easy-to-go recipe. We love it! I have made it every Sunday since I found the recipe about a month ago. Today I am cooking the chicken breast recipe you shared too.
Julie Evink says
So glad you are enjoying it!! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Gigi says
Perfection ! Tub delicious. Meat moist and juicy. A keeper recipe!
Julie Evink says
Great to hear Gigi! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Dave Foskette says
First time trying tonight. Wife wanted to write down the recipe to have another night. Thanks, great dinner w/mashed potatoes and chicken gravy.
Julie Evink says
Sounds like a wonderful dinner Dave! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Umi says
It was delicious and easy to prepare. The last time I tried to bake chicken was 27 years ago using “Shake-n-Bake.” Now, I feel like a real chef!
Brenda says
What temperature should I use with a convection oven?
Lisa says
Easy, fast and family loved! Chicken was moist and flavorful.
Julie Evink says
Great to hear Lisa! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Renny says
Really tasty, with crispy skin as advertised. I subbed table salt for sea salt – if someone doesn’t care for the taste of salt, they might want to use less than 1 tsp with this substitution but I thought they were really good. I only had six drumsticks but did not reduce the oil or seasoning measurements at all. Will definitely make again!
Julie Evink says
Wonderful to hear Renny!! Great tips!
Amber says
Family favorite and so easy to make! I use this rub on grill chicken breast also.
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it Amber! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Anne Staudenmyer says
My family loves this chicken. Ive made this recipe many times; the fast & easy prep makes it a winner all around.
Julie Evink says
Awesome to hear Anne! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Stephanie says
This was soooo good!!! I only had 6 drumsticks though and so I only used that and 1 tsp of sweet paprika bc I only had sweet paprika. I think using 6 made it have great flavor! I also used vegetable oil. It was sooo good! Thank you!!
Julie Evink says
Awesome to hear Stephanie! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Lisa says
It was delicious and moist. Thank you!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed them Lisa! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
E. Stropus says
Have made this many times now. This is my go to seasoning for chicken legs.
My kids can’t get enough.
I love reading your comments and tips. Especially like all the time you take to add all those pictures. Even someone like me who isn’t that great in the kitchen can make great meals thanks to you.
Don’t change anything on your website.
Julie Evink says
Wonderful to hear!! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Nathan lper says
Put recipe higher above ur worthless paragraphs
Julie Evink says
Hey Nathan! There’s a convenient and easy to use “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of each post to use if you want to jump to the recipe. The information above the recipe gives great tips and suggestions for those that are beginning cooks etc. But if you’d rather go straight to the recipe please use the button.
Selena says
Wow! Your extremely rude comment could have been avoided if you opened your eyes, and bothered to actually look at this information she provided for everyone. You would have seen the “Jump to Recipe” button that would have showed you to bypass the “worthless” paragraphs, that were probably only worthless to you because of your low reading and comprehension skills.
Julie Evink says
I like you 😉
Melissa says
You could purchase a cookbook, instead of being rude to someone providing you with FREE recipes.
Julia says
My grandson loved the baked chicken. His face was the evidence.
Julie Evink says
So glad he enjoyed these!! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
GB says
Perfect. Great cold too. Not overpowering so a great foundation to add bbq sauce to.
Julie Evink says
Great to hear! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!