Baked Chicken Legs
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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!
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
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.
Kari says
Monday night and I was already out of ideas for dinner. Found this recipe and I am so glad I did! The chicken legs stayed so moist, the skin was crunchy, and the seasoning was delicious! Will definitely make this again.
Courtney says
This is a definite in our dinner rotations! So glad to hear you enjoyed this and thank you for rating this recipe! 🙂
Alissia says
Hi, I’m just gathering my ingredients for making this recipe but I was wondering, if that is cilantro or parsley that you sprinkle on at the end? Thanks in advance, looking forward to trying it!
Dane Human says
I am a 76 yr old senior just learning how to cook. I tried this recipe and it has now become my most favorite chicken dishes. Thank you.
Courtney says
That is so great to hear, Dane! It’s never too late to learn! Thank you so much for your comment and your rating of this recipe!
Anna C. says
Easy, delicious and inexpensive!
Courtney says
SO glad you loved it!
Ange says
Recipe fail based on your encouraging massive use of single-use plastics to avoid washing a bowl. UNSUSTAINABLE. 😒
Rusty says
Bet youre fun at parties
Michelle says
I thought the same thing!
Kari says
You can accomplish this easily with a glass bowl and lid
Al says
Please feel free to use a reusable washable container. Corrected for your enjoyment
G E says
Easy to cook and tastes great. I am hooked.
Courtney says
Love this recipe! It’s a staple on our dinner menus!
Nichole Munday says
So juicy , great flavor
Jeanne says
I’ve been cooking chicken for years, and I just realized that I’ve been overcooking it. I tried your recipe and it was delicious! Thanks for the tip!
Courtney says
Using a thermometer to temp your chicken is a game changer!
Sara Ampié says
Riquísimo y fácil. Toda la familia encantada, todo lo que se mira en la imagen queda corto. Pruébenlo.
Dan says
Incredible. Best chicken legs my family has ever had. We didn’t change a thing from the recipe.
Courtney says
Thank you, Dan! So great to hear your family loved it as well!
Brent says
Best chicken I ever made
Courtney says
Thank you!
Scott M says
I had some thighs and drumsticks I needed too cook, but didn’t want to stand at the oven, and it’s cold/rainy outside…so I found this baked chicken recipe. After mixing the seasoning, I tasted the mix and really liked it. The final result was a success, and the entire family wiped out all of it. 🙂 Next time I may trim some of the skin off since I don’t typically eat it, but it was crispy as mentioned! Thanks for posting and sharing this recipe. I’ve saved a copy for next time.
Scott says
Ugh… “to”….not “too”. 🙂 I know better, but fingers were on autopilot I guess.
Courtney says
So awesome that you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for commenting on and rating this recipe!
Robin says
AMAZING!!! So much flavor and so tender and juicy. This will be a regular in my meals now, I have a picky husband and he loved them as well. I never do reviews if that tells you how good these are…
TeeGee says
I made this in December and making it again today. My husband and I love it. It’s juicy and good. The next day it’s even better, if you have some left.
Courtney says
Yay! Love when you find your favorites and keep going back to them.
James Eldreth says
Made my Chicken legs very tasty