Name: Oven Baked Chicken Legs ( Juicy! )
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 8 skin-on chicken drumsticks; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard; 1 teaspoon rosemary; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Jump to Recipe Add as a trusted Google source

These Baked Chicken Legs are the simplest way to quickly put dinner on the table! These baked chicken legs have perfectly crispy skin and are incredibly juicy! They are simple, delicious, and the ideal "emergency" meal for times when you don't want to worry about "what's for dinner?".

Overhead view of baked chicken legs in a dish.

My recipe for baked chicken legs is easy enough for anybody to follow, and it produces perfectly seasoned, juicy chicken with crispy skin! They are easy, high in protein, and popular with both adults and children. To help everything crisp up in the oven, I season mine with a basic combination of pantry spices (smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, an Italian seasoning, rosemary, ground mustard, salt, and pepper) and oil. It's also quite adaptable; you can serve it on game day, double or quadruple the recipe for a large gathering, or even add a little heat.

Main Ingredients

baked chicken leg ingredients spread out on a white counter.

You most likely already have all the spice ingredients in your pantry because this recipe is so simple! You'll need the following ingredients:

Chicken - Keep the bones in and the skin on! For the greatest moist texture and flavor, I like to use skin-on, bone-in chicken. The crispy, delicious skin keeps the inside juicy.
Seasoning - A basic combination of kosher salt, rosemary, ground mustard, Italian seasoning, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Olive oil - A small amount is combined with the spices to make a paste that helps the seasonings adhere to the skin and give it the golden, crisp skin that we adore.
Smoked paprika: 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.

How To Make Baked Chicken Legs

Turn the oven on to 425 degrees. Apply nonstick cooking spray on a baking sheet. Put aside.
To help the chicken legs become crispy, pat them dry with paper towels. Transfer them to a large bowl or a sealable plastic bag.

Seasoned chicken legs in a large sauce pan.

In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, salt, and spices into a paste. Add it to the drumsticks, then seal the bag (or cover the bowl) and shake until the chicken is evenly coated.

Place the drumsticks on the baking sheet and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
For extra-crispy skin, place the drumsticks under the broiler for a few minutes at the end.
Before serving, give the chicken five minutes to rest.

Expert Tips

To get rid of any moisture, pat the chicken dry using a paper towel. This, in my opinion, makes the chicken more crispy by helping the oil adhere to it. If I omit this step, I can truly see the difference.
After baking, let the drumsticks rest for five minutes. This facilitates the meat absorbing all of the juice and taste.
The skin is indeed made crisp by the high temperature. They will be ready in approximately 40 to 45 minutes, baked uncovered on the baking sheet.
If necessary, broil at the end. Put your roasted chicken legs under the broiler for a few minutes if they're not quite crispy enough. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning!
Flip Halfway Through Baking: About 20 minutes into baking, remove the pan from the oven and turn the chicken legs over. This will ensure that all of the meat-top and bottom-is evenly browned and crispy.
Check early: Check the drumsticks after the first 30 minutes; if they seem to be darkening too much, loosely cover them with foil and keep cooking until they are cooked through.
Add heat: Want to give the chicken legs a little heat? Add a ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and even a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.

How Long To Bake Chicken Legs

The size of the drumsticks will determine this precise time. When cooked at 425 degrees, they usually take no more than 45 minutes. The chicken skin won't get crispy if your oven isn't hot enough, and nobody likes rubbery chicken skin! Your chicken legs are ready to eat when the meat reaches 165 degrees, which should happen in approximately 45 minutes. However, cooking chicken legs a little bit longer produces meat that is soft and falls off the bone. Naturally, you should always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken.

Dark meat benefits from higher temps: When heated to around 185°F, the collagens within the meat begin to break down, contributing to the juiciness and "fall-off-the-bone" tenderness that we cherish so much in dark poultry meat.

Serving suggestions

To be honest, you may serve these tasty chicken legs with any vegetable you like. I adore serving this dish for chicken legs with:

They also go well with Parmesan orzo, garlic butter noodles, and baked beans!

Storing & Reheating

Any leftover chicken legs can be kept in the fridge for up to three to four days in an airtight bag or container. Additionally, they freeze nicely for up to three months; thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Place them in an air fryer basket and cook for five minutes at 350ºF to reheat. The bones will be extremely hot to the touch, so let them cool for a few minutes before touching them.
Reheat in the oven: Reheat them uncovered in a 350°F oven to crisp the skin, or enjoy them cold, picnic-style.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long to Bake Chicken Legs?

I bake chicken legs for about 45 minutes at 425-degrees Fahrenheit, or until the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees. I also broil them for one to two minutes when I want crispier skin. Before serving, give the chicken five minutes to rest for the juiciest results.

How do you know when chicken legs are done?

Using a meat thermometer is the best way to determine when the chicken is done cooking. Before serving, make sure the internal temperature has reached a safe 165ºF by inserting the probe into the thicker portion of the leg. Another option is to simply cut into one and make sure it's cooked through. The fluids should run clear and the meat should be cooked all the way to the bone. However, I genuinely suggest getting a thermometer because it greatly simplifies life.

What is the best temperature to cook chicken legs?

Our preferred baking temperature for chicken drumsticks is 425 degrees. This keeps the inside of the chicken nice and juicy while allowing the skin to crisp up. Higher temperatures cause the skin to become slightly crispier, which is what I want.

Can I double or triple this recipe for a crowd?

Yes. This recipe can even be multiplied three or four times; just scale the seasoning to match. Use extra baking sheets so the legs stay in a single layer without touching, and the baking time stays about the same, 40 to 45 minutes.

Can I use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder?

Yes, you can use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder. Instead of adding garlic powder to the spice mixture, add two or three cloves of freshly minced garlic.

Sometimes I see red spots near the bone, is that normal?

Yes. A little pink or red near the bone is normal in chicken legs as long as they have reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. I find that if you cook them a bit longer, the chicken will be fall-off-the-bone tender and juicy and those spots disappear.

If you tried this Juicy Baked Chicken Legs or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!

Oven Baked Chicken Legs ( Juicy! )