Baked Chicken Legs
This Baked Chicken Legs Recipe offers a delightful combination of crispy skin and juicy meat, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 8 pieces skin-on chicken drumsticks (approx. 2 pounds total weight)
For the Seasoning
- 3 tbsp olive oil Substitute with avocado oil or melted coconut oil for different flavors.
- 1 tbsp sea salt Cut back to 1 tsp if you’re not a fan of salt.
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 tbsp dry mustard Optional for a tangy flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) to achieve crispy skin.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a small mixing bowl, add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Add the olive oil and blend with the spice mixture until fully combined.
- Let chicken legs come to room temperature. Coat each drumstick evenly with the seasoning oil mixture.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
Baking
- Bake the chicken legs for 30 minutes on the middle rack.
- Brush the legs with the oil that has gathered on the tray halfway through cooking.
- After 30 minutes, check for doneness and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Notes
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking to retain moisture. Experiment with seasoning to suit your taste preference.