Baked chicken legs

Hungry? Need dinner ready ASAP to placate the jaws? BAKED CHICKEN LEGS are some of the easiest ways to do so! It’s easy to season, and the baking crisps the skin very nicely. Done right, you’re going to have consistently juicy chicken drumsticks on demand. Yum!

When it comes to roasted chicken they are lots of chicken drumsticks recipes but, the one thing I can be certain of is that my kids are going to fight over who gets the legs. I honestly can’t tell if this is because kids really like eating with their hands, or if chicken legs are delicious. 

This observation hasn’t been wrong – yet.

It isn’t all that common for me to roast a whole chicken – everyone seems to want just the legs anyhow! Instead, I make these baked chicken drumsticks, and the kids are happy.

The recipe I use is simple enough for anyone, especially you, to do this. This chicken drumsticks recipe helps you create a juicy chicken with perfectly crisped skin and perfect seasoning. You’re definitely going to love it.

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Seasoning Chicken Legs: 

Honestly, it’s easy to bake chicken legs in oven. The part that might be perceived as tricky is usually getting the seasoning right. It doesn’t have to be that way though.

I’m going to show you how to perfectly season your baked chicken legs. It’s really easy!

The spices you’ll need are pretty simple and you likely have them in your kitchen, but together, they create a perfect basic seasoning for chicken and pork.

baked chicken drumsticks

Just mix together paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, and pepper. If you have smoked paprika, all the better.

I like my drumsticks in a plastic bag and drizzled with avocado oil. Avocado oil has a lot of the same nutritional properties as olive oil, neutral flavor, and a high smoke point – extremely useful since we’re using high heat.

Sprinkle on the seasoning and seal the bag. Then, you’re going to want to mush it all together and coat the chicken in the spices before dumping the whole thing out on a well-greased baking sheet.

Bake Time for Chicken Legs:

How long to bake chicken legs? Other chicken leg recipes might take time but this takes only a few minutes of preparation time, and about 45 minutes of bake time to have your juicy chicken legs ready for devouring. 

First off, the temperature. We’re going to bake these chicken drumsticks at 425 degrees. This is essential for baking chicken legs in an oven. If the oven isn’t hot enough, the skin will be rubbery..

how long to bake chicken legs

In about 45 minutes, the meat should reach 165 degrees, and then the chicken legs will be ready to devour.

In other words, for one hour. That’s about how long it takes to bake chicken legs – factoring in some preparation time, of course.

Can Baked Chicken Legs be Frozen?

Yes, baked chicken wings can be preserved for future consumption by freezing. The key is to allow the chicken legs to cool completely after baking, before freezing. If it isn’t allowed to cool first, the chicken won’t freeze properly.

Are Baked Chicken Legs Kid-Friendly?

Absolutely yes! Ok, enthusiasm aside, everybody loves chicken – including children. Especially children.

Maybe it’s because they get to use their hands? Maybe it’s because the baked chicken legs are really tasty? Whatever the case may be, baked chicken legs are completely kid-friendly.

What To Serve With Oven Baked Chicken Legs

You can serve the following alongside baked chicken legs – with delicious success:

  • Broccoli Rice Casserole: The cauliflower accompaniment means that this is chock full of veggies
  • Keto Asparagus
  • Fried Radishes
  • Keto Coleslaw: Mum really likes this one!
  • Cauliflower Mac and Cheese: We want Mac N’ Cheese – Oh Yeah!
THE SECRET OF BAKED CHICKEN LEGS - It’s Easy Once You Get This Right
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THE SECRET OF BAKED CHICKEN LEGS – It’s Easy Once You Get This Right

Recipe by Carla WilliamsCourse: Lunch, Dinner
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

45

minutes
Calories

264

kcal
Total time

55

minutes

My baked chicken recipe is one that would get the whole family waiting in anticipation on the dining table. It is crispy, juicy and very tasty. Most importantly, it tells you how to bake chicken legs.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken drumsticks

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1 teaspoon chopped parsley

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon cracked pepper

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees, and spray the baking sheet with non-stick spray. 
  • Add all the ingredients to a large ziplock bag, and seal. Mush it all together in the bag to coat the chicken in the seasoning.
  • Arrange chicken on the baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165 degrees.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • It is essential to get the temperature right. If the oven is not hot enough, the chicken will not be crispy. You should definitely preheat your oven until it gets to 425 degrees. Don’t forget to grease your oven pan as well. If our dearly beloved chicken ends up sticking to the pan, it would be… unfortunate.

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Nutrition Facts

6 servings per container

Calories264

  • Amount Per Serving% Daily Value *
  • Total Fat 15g 24%
    • Saturated Fat 4g 20%
  • Cholesterol 105.0mg 35%
  • Sodium 99.0mg 5%
  • Amount Per Serving% Daily Value *
  • Protein 30g 60%

    * The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

    Recommended Products

    Just in case you don’t have them, here are some recommended products that you will need to use to make this juicy recipe.

    Other Fun Variations of the Recipe that You Can Try

    • Oven baked chicken legs with honey 
    • Chicken with soy sauce marinade.

    Oven Baked Chicken Legs with Honey 

    Looking for baked chicken that perfectly balances sweet and salty, with just a hint of garlic? This fun variation is for you. The ingredients you’ll need are easily available (assuming they aren’t in your kitchen already). This one knocks it out of the park every time – guaranteed.

    chicken leg recipes

    Chicken with Soy Sauce Marinade 

    The addictive goodness of soy sauce and the juicy deliciousness of chicken combine to produce this heavenly, fun variation of baked chicken legs. Just thinking about it makes me want to make some right now! Don’t take my word for it though. Try it out.

    Final Words

    There’s absolutely no way to get this wrong. Chicken drumstick recipes are quite easy to make. Our recipe makes this easy and straightforward. Follow it, and you and your family can get in on the crispy goodness. 

    Let me know what you think when you have a taste of this.