My easy-to-make baked chicken legs recipe will change how your family views chicken. These chicken drumsticks are juicy and tender on the inside and deliciously savory with every bite. Made with simple ingredients and oven baked to perfection, resulting in crispy incredibly flavorful chicken legs. I know this is going to be one of your favorite chicken recipes!
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With only 10 minutes of prep you’ll turn ordinary chicken drumsticks into an extraordinary meal! My easy baked chicken legs recipe will let you spend time with your family instead of in the kitchen prepping ingredients.
And they couldn’t be easier to make! All you have to do is coat the chicken legs with the olive oil spice mixture and bake them for about 40 minutes. The secret is getting them extra crispy is high heat.
If you love crispy baked chicken, check out my recipe for chicken leg quarters. And if you’re in the mood for more chicken, my baked BBQ chicken drumsticks and chicken parmesan recipe is sure to please!
Ingredients
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Baked Chicken Drumsticks. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
Can I Use Chicken Thighs To Make This Recipe?
Yes, you can. I suggest using bone-in chicken thighs. I prefer skin-on chicken for this type of dish. The skin serves as a layer of protection to prevent the meat from drying out and creates a crispy exterior. That’s a win-win!
You can also use whole chicken legs with the thigh attached (chicken quarters).
If you love baked chicken try my Oven Roasted Blackened Chicken.
How to Bake Chicken Legs
Follow along with my simple instructions to see how to bake chicken legs in your own kitchen.
Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and black pepper to a small mixing bowl.
Using a fork, blend the spices together.
Add the olive oil to the spices and blend them together.
- Allow the chicken legs to come to room temperature
- Using a pastry brush (or your hands) coat the chicken legs with the seasoning oil mixture. Make sure to coat the entire drumstick.
- Place the chicken legs in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet, making sure to leave room between the drumsticks.
*To get really crispy skin you need to thoroughly dry the chicken before applying the oil and seasonings. Use paper towels to pat dry the chicken legs. Removing the excess moisture from the skin will allow you to get that perfectly crispy skin.
Chef Dennis Tip
When it comes to cooking chicken, we always hear to cook to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. That’s common knowledge these days and stands true for white meat chicken.
But when it comes to dark meat, chicken legs, thighs, or a leg quarter, the magic number is 185°Fahrenheit. Letting the dark meat cook to that temperature lets the collagens within the meat break down, creating the juicy “fall-off-the-bone” tenderness that everyone loves.
- Bake the chicken legs for 30 minutes at 400 degrees on the middle rack of your oven.
- Brush the legs with the oil that has gathered on the tray and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until crispy (cooking time may vary).
*If you use an instant-read thermometer the internal temperature must be at least 165 degrees, (but we’re shooting for 185 degrees for optimal tenderness). At this temperature and time, they should be well above that internal temp.
When it comes to chicken recipes, simple ingredients tend to yield the best results, making these crispy chicken legs a dish the whole family will love!
Can I use different seasonings on the chicken legs?
Absolutely! Use your favorite premade seasoning blends or create your own blend using the spices with the flavor profiles you enjoy eating.
Some of my favorite spice blends for seasoning these crispy baked chicken drumsticks are Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, old bay, barbecue seasoning and jerk seasoning.
Recipe FAQs
No, you shouldn’t cover the chicken legs. The skin needs to brown and get crispy. Covering the chicken during the entire cooking process will steam the chicken instead of roasting it.
You sure can. Overcooking the chicken will dry it out and make it tough. Check on the chicken legs after 30 minutes since all ovens are different.
Using a meat thermometer check the internal temperature of the chicken legs. The chicken needs to reach a minimum temperature of 165 degrees.
Yes, you can.
Coat the chicken drumsticks with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Mix the seasonings together. Toss the chicken legs with the seasoning.
Spray the seasoned chicken legs with olive oil spray.
Place the drumsticks into the air fryer basket, making sure not to crowd them.
Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
Flip the drumsticks and cook for another 10 minutes.
Remove and serve immediately.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love!
Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 skin-on chicken drumsticks approx. 2 pounds total weight
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sea salt cut back to 1 teaspoon if you're not a fan of salt.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and black pepper to a small mixing bowl.
- Using a fork, blend the spices together.
- Add the olive oil to the spices and blend them together.
- Allow the chicken legs to come to room temperature.
- Using a pastry brush (or your hands) coat the chicken legs with the seasoning oil mixture. Make sure to coat the entire drumstick
- Place the chicken legs in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet, making sure to leave room between the drumsticks.
- Bake the chicken legs for 30 minutes at 400 degrees on the middle rack of your oven.
- Brush the legs with the oil that has gathered on the tray and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until crispy (cooking time may vary).
- *If you use an instant-read thermometer the internal temperature must be at least 165 degrees. At this temperature and time, they should be well above that internal temp
Notes
- Coat the chicken drumsticks with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Mix the seasonings together. Toss the chicken legs with the seasoning. Spray the seasoned chicken legs with olive oil spray.
- Place the drumsticks into the air fryer basket, making sure not to crowd them.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Flip the drumsticks and cook for another 10 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.
Donna says
Followed the recipe exactly and they were delicious.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for the great review and letting me know you enjoyed the chicken legs.
Doris says
I only have five chicken legs as there is only two of us. Should I reduce the seasoning amounts and the Olive Oil? This looks so good!
Chef Dennis Littley says
you can slightly reduce each amount.
Sha says
One tip to dry chicken. Put chicken on a rack, line rimmed baking sheet with paper towels, put rack of chicken in the pan, salt lightly then put in fridge overnight up to 24 hrs. Do not cover. Let Chicken come to room temp then follow yummy recipe.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for your tips!
Jessica says
This was so delicious! I used the method more than the recipe – but I trust that the recipe is delicious and will try it soon! I was lazy and used a mix of Penney’s BBQ 3000 and some additional smoked paprika.
This method was perfect – we have had the meal 3 times now. We’re out of BBQ 3000, so next time I’ll be trying your spices recipe. Thank you!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for the great review! I’ve never heard of Penney’s, I’ll have to check it out.
janice says
I’m making this today but butterflied the chicken legs. Wondering how much to reduce the cooking time when doing it this way. Thanks for any feedback
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’ve never butterflied a chicken leg before, but I would guess about 35 minutes. Make sure to check the internal temperature is 165 – 175 degrees before removing from the oven.
Jessica says
Oops – I meant to say Penzey’s – autocorrect changed it to Penney’s 😉
Chef Dennis Littley says
That makes sense, Penzey’s I know.
Lucy says
This recipe is perfect. I think roasting at 400 degrees results in juicier chicken than roasting at higher heat. The seasoning is delicious. Used less salt and smoked paprika instead of regular. Thanks for the recipe!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed my chicken legs recipe.
Andrea says
I noticed when mixing the spices and oil for the chicken legs is like a paste so i added additional oil to thin it out so it was a pure salt leg as it seemed like a lot of sat for it , but there in the oven now and I’ll let you know how they turned out cause i have picky eaters here lol!
Connie says
Tasted great.
Tara Sugarman says
My six year old just ate two! She insists on these chicken legs at least twice a week. I don’t get a crispy skin, but I end up taking it off anyway when I cut it up for her and my toddler. Thank you!
Chef Dennis Littley says
That is definitely high praise coming from a six year old, I know how hard it is to get them to eat. I’m glad that my chicken legs have become a favorite.
Laurie says
I have used this recipe a half a dozen times since I found it. The drumsticks turn out perfect every single time and are tender, savory, crispy and delicious. This is my chicken drumstick go to! Thank you!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for letting me know you’ve been enjoying chicken leg recipe!
Linda Woods says
I made this recipe which turned out crispy & juicy. I substituted Italian Seasoning for oregano as I ran out. Simple & tasty.
Helene says
The baked chicken drumstick recipe was delicious and very easy to make. My husband told me he wants me to make it again and I will. Your website is fantastic and cannot wait to look at your other recipes. I loved how the recipe was set-up with the additional information and pictures.
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the drumsticks, I hope you find more recipes on my website to try.
Britt says
What’s a good side to make with this
Chef Dennis Littley says
You can do a number of side dishes. Macaroni salad, coleslaw, potato salad, collard greens, green beans, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes or a nice tossed salad would all compliment the chicken.
Katey B says
Best chicken legs I’ve ever made, My husband loved them and has asked me to make them again! And so easy – your directions are so clear, there’s no questioning how to prepare or cook them. Excellent recipe! Thank you. I will be making these again and again.
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the chicken legs! I hope you find more delicious recipes on my site to try.
Gin says
This is one of the best things I’ve ever made from Pinterest!!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed my chicken legs!
Katey says
My husband raved about these from the 1st bite. He even ate leftovers the next night and still thought they were delicious. And super easy to make. We’ll be having these on a regular basis. Great recipe – Thank you!