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My Crispiest, Juiciest Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
Everyone needs a reliable baked chicken legs recipe to turn to, and this one is mine. It’s basically the opposite of fancy — just simple, flavorful, savory, and crispy chicken I want to make over and over again. Here’s why:
- Juicy with super crispy skin – Chicken leg recipes are harder to dry out than white meat, but these come out extra juicy with my tips. And if you’ve seen me rave about crispy skin in my chicken leg quarters, chicken wings, and chicken thighs, you know I wouldn’t have drumsticks any other way, either.
- Quick and easy – I love spices, but pared down to just the important ones here — 4 ingredients (plus salt and pepper), if you’re counting! And these oven baked chicken legs need just a few minutes of your time.
- Family friendly – They’re protein packed, simple, and a hit with kids and adults alike. It’s just all around a winner of a chicken dinner.
Clearly I’m not the only one that has those days I love this kind of easy, healthy dinner. It’s become one of my most popular chicken recipes here on Wholesome Yum. And after all these years, this method for how to bake chicken legs in the oven is still the one I use most often. Make them with me!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my baked chicken legs recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Chicken Drumsticks – Choose ones that are uniform in size, so they cook at the same rate. Some of you have asked if you can use chicken breast. You can, but you’re better off following my baked chicken breast recipe — some of my tips are different for that cut.
- Butter Or Oil – For flavor, locking in moisture, and crispy skin. Butter has a low smoke point, so I don’t usually use it for roasting, but I love the flavor that it gives this recipe and haven’t had issues. Feel free to use ghee, olive oil, or avocado oil instead. Cooking spray also works — I recommend an oil mister like this to avoid chemicals.
- Seasonings – My go-to blend is smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. I’ve also made these baked chicken legs with other spice blends, including Italian seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, and Cajun seasoning. If your blend contains salt, reduce or omit the salt added separately. You can make complimentary additions to the above spices, too, such as oregano, onion powder, or cayenne pepper.
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How To Bake Chicken Legs
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Prep the oven and pan. Preheat the oven. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, then place an oven-safe rack over the sheet pan. (I like this set — it’s non-stick, so easy to clean.) I prefer foil rather than parchment paper for lining underneath the rack, because it catches the juices more easily.
- Dry, oil, and season. Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, then brush with melted butter or oil. (I like this brush that cleans up easily.) Sprinkle spices all over.
- Bake chicken legs in the oven. Roasting at high heat, flipping halfway through. See my tips below to get them extra crispy!
- Let them rest. Remove from the oven and wait a few minutes before serving — this lets the juices settle, so your baked chicken legs stay juicy inside.
My Recipe Tips
- Why pat dry? I always pat steaks, poultry, and fish dry before cooking, as it helps them all stay more juicy. But for skin-on chicken in particular, this also helps the skin crisp up better.
- Do you have to use a rack? No, and I’ve tried this baked chicken legs recipe on a regular baking sheet, but this baking sheet with rack set makes it so much better. It allos hot air to circulate and extra grease drips down, so it cooks more evenly and crisps up better. And you won’t run out of ways to use it — I also use mine for bacon in the oven, lemon pepper wings, coconut shrimp, and spatchcock chicken!
- Season right on the pan to save on dishes. You can just toss the chicken drumsticks with everything in a bowl or on a cutting board too, but using the baking sheet means less dishes to wash.
- Want to use fresh garlic? I use garlic powder because garlic over the skin will burn. If you want to use fresh garlic, it’s best to put it in a compound butter underneath the skin instead, like I do with my air fryer chicken legs.
- For even crispier skin, sprinkle lightly with baking powder before baking. I do that for this crispy baked chicken and it’s pretty amazing.
- Start baking chicken legs skin side down first. Obviously all sides have skin, but one side has more. The side facing up last ends up a teeny-tiny bit more crispy than the bottom side, so I like to start with the best side down and end with it face up. And flipping is a must, even with the rack.
- Cook to 170 degrees F, not 165. Chicken needs to reach 165 degrees F to be safe (source), but I highly recommend cooking chicken legs in the oven to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F. That’s when the collagen breaks down (in other words, they become juicy and tender). Here’s the instant-read thermometer I use and recommend.
- Broil at the end if needed. If your baked chicken legs are not as crispy as you like, place them under the broiler for a couple minutes to crisp up more. Watch closely so that they don’t burn!
Baked Chicken Legs (Crispy, Easy Recipe)
By
This baked chicken legs recipe makes them so juicy with perfect crispy skin! You need just a few simple ingredients and easy 10-minute prep.
Instructions
[ See step photos See my tips ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place an oven safe rack on top. (I use this set, which includes the baking sheet and rack that fits perfectly.)
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Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels, which will help them get crispy. Arrange the chicken legs on the rack.
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Brush the chicken drumsticks with melted butter. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
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Bake the chicken legs in the oven for 25 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F (77 degrees C).
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Optional step: If the chicken drumsticks are not as crispy as you like, place under the broiler for a couple of minutes to crisp up the skin more.
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Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Did you make it? Leave a review or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 drumstick
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips to help you get the juiciest baked chicken legs with the crispiest skin.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The skin does get soft, but you can crisp it up again.
- Reheat: For crispy skin and a juicy inside, I recommend reheating chicken legs in the oven again, this time at 350 degrees F. If the skin is still not crisp, you can place under the broiler for a minute or two. The microwave works in a pinch, but the skin will be soft.
- Freezer meal prep: My favorite meal prep hack with this recipe is to brush with butter and season the chicken, then freeze it raw. That way there is virtually no prep before baking later, and this actually makes them even more juicy!
- More freezing options: You can freeze raw chicken for up to 9-12 months, but already baked chicken legs taste best in the first 3-4 months. I lay them on a parchment lined sheet pan in a single layer and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip lock bag for compact storage. This method prevents them from sticking together. For best results, thaw before you reheat.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
Serving Ideas
There isn’t much that doesn’t go with baked chicken legs. Here are some of my fave side dishes to go with them:
- Vegetables – If you have double ovens like I do, you can make my roasted green beans, loaded cauliflower casserole, or roasted eggplant at the same time as the chicken. Otherwise, I would cook fried cabbage, creamed spinach, sauteed broccoli with garlic, or sauteed zucchini on the stovetop while you bake chicken legs in the oven.
- Starches – Most often, I roasted potatoes, air fry sweet potatoes, or make lighter pasta swaps, like baked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.
- Salads – Make it a light meal with my Caprese salad or cucumber tomato avocado salad in the warm months, and my kale salad or winter salad in the cool months.
- Sauces – I think these juicy baked chicken legs are plenty flavorful on their own! If you want a little something extra, serve them with my BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or sugar-free honey mustard.
More Easy Chicken Leg Recipes
Looking for more chicken leg recipes? Here are some of my other favorite ways to cook them:
385 Comments
Bee
0Best chicken legs recipe. It got raves from the husband. Woohoo!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Awww, thank you, Bee!
Rebekah
0Very delicious! I used this recipe for 2 legs and 2 thighs. So simple and tasty!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Rebekah! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe.
David G.
0I’ve made this for my family a few times. It’s such a simple recipe but so tastey! My wife loves it!😋
Carmela Crespo
0I was going to skip the paprika; I’m glad I did not. Such a quick and easy recipe, and very flavorful too!
Don
0Great recipe. Tastes great. Used organic chicken.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m glad you liked it, Don! I love it with organic chicken, too.
Beverly
0Can you do this recipe using a cast iron skillet in the oven instead of a baking sheet and rack?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Beverly, Possibly, but they will turn out less crispy than using a rack.
Beverly
1I have experimented with this recipe using chicken legs and thighs in my oven in a very large cast iron skillet, and they came out just as crispy, moist, and delicious than using the original cookie sheet method….
Maggie
0This recipe was so easy to follow and it was delicious even my picky eater liked it!! Thank you.
Jackie Turner
0This recipe was very good. Because of the size of the chicken legs, I had to use a longer cooking time of 25 on one side and 25 on the other side. I was surprised at how well it came out considering, it was oven baked, but everyone loved it. Will definitely add to the rotation!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so glad you and your guests (or family?) liked them, Jackie! Yes, the baking time can vary depending on the size of the chicken legs, so just use a meat thermometer to confirm they reach 170 degrees F.
jersuerhodes
0Super easy and delicious!
apennant
0Loved this chicken leg recipe.
I did a combo of the chicken thigh and leg recipe. Using the elements I thought would work best for our family. It was a hit, legs were so juicy and flavourful. My toddler who dislikes most meats, gave it her stamp of approval :). We are dairy free and used Vegan Becel instead of butter and it worked perfectly. I had to broil to get some Crispíness on the legs, but absolutely no complaints :).
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0So glad to hear that! Yes, always a win when the picky toddler approves, haha!
Debee
0Thanks for such an easy to follow wholesome recipe. Job well done, a well done job.
Blessings,
Amy
0Delish! Crunchy juicy!
Vicky Flesch
0Please send me the recipe for Aiir Fryer Salmon. Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Vicky, Here is my air fryer salmon recipe. I also have one for air fryer salmon bites.
Dawn
0These were good, definitely needed broiler. Also a bit more seasoning but quick and very juicy. Will be adding this to our regular recipe rotation.
Joy
0I loved these chicken legs and so did my family. I will be making them again.
Seán
0Maya’s recipe is really easy and versatile. I use it whenever we get a craving for drumsticks.
Amanda
0I absolutely loved it!!! Made it a few times now and perfection every time! Thank you for sharing. Question… my son wants these but with buffalo sauce on them. When would be the best time to put it on?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0So glad you liked these, Amanda! If you wan tto add buffalo sauce, I would just mix the buffalo sauce with butter and brush it on at the end, like I do with buffalo wings.
JOHN LINDQUIST
0SIMPLE AND QUICK
Sonja Lillie
0Can I use chicken breasts or thighs for this recipes and long do I bake them?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Sonja, I have a recipe for both baked chicken thighs and baked chicken breast that you can use.
Sandy
0Can you use olive oil instead of butter for the chicken? I already tried with butter and it fine just want know how it be with oil instead.
Wholesome Yum D
1Hi Sandy, Yes, you can use olive oil.