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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
Rebecca
0Imagine baking some chicken and the skin is soggy and mushy. Yuck! Now, toss that memory out of your mind and do things right by following the steps provided in the recipe. You will not be disappointed in just how scrumptious and crispy the chicken turns out! And be sure to make sure you really add the paprika and not just skip it. It makes all the difference.
Margie
0These chicken legs are amazing! We love them with smoked or plain paprika. We like to use oil for baking. The skin comes out crispy and the meat is juicy. When the chicken is baked and the skin is crispy we sometimes drizzle a little Frank’s Hot Sauce with melted butter over the chicken. Because it is cheaper to buy whole legs I split the drumsticks from the thighs and follow the recipe except I bake the thighs eight – ten minutes longer than the drumsticks. These are a favorite in our home! Much better than fried or breaded chicken, and so easy and fast!
Emily feng
0As behaviourist working with autistic children, I get lots of requests from parents for quick and easy, DELICIOUS and NUTRITIOUS weeknight recipes for their little super picky eaters 🙂 I did a trial run of this recipe for my family – to much praise and mysterious disappearance of leftovers. This is juicy and flavorful and such a comforting dish after a long day. I will need to make a double batch next time, lesson learned! I’ve since forwarded to my clients’ parents and received equally enthusiastic feedback. Thank you! Its not easy achieving balanced nutrition for these kiddos.
Laurie Frydenlund
0This reminded me of a recipe my mom made when I was growing up. She would melt a stick of butter on the baking pan in the oven, add the drumsticks, roll them around to cover, then season with S, P, and paprika and bake. It was one of my favorite winter dinners. Baking them on the rack REALLY improved the texture of the skin. Delightful!
John Saksa
0What an easy recipe and so tasty. I must confess I also did it with chicken wings as well and they turned out perfectly. Very nicely seasoned but not overly done thank you for always sharing your recipes we all appreciate it.
Constance
0I’ll come back and give it proper stars once I’ve tried it, but the simple easy prep already has me hooked. I always try a new recipe exactly as written the first time I try it before I tweak it to my family’s taste, but I will make one minor change – instead of oil or butter, I’ll use oil *and* butter. If I blend a bit of avocado oil in with completely softened but not melted butter, it raises the smoke point enough that I don’t have to worry about using the smoke detector as a dinner bell. I’m wondering how this method would work with chicken wings.
Jill Bernstein
0This is a great, easy recipe. I make these chicken legs almost every week, changing up the spices to keep things interesting. Delicious!
Rachael
0So amazing!!!~
Meg Bressette
0These were perfection. Nice seasoning blend and crispy skin. I used ghee for my fat. It added a nice flavor. I will definitely make these again.
KIMBERLEY HALPAPE
0Easy recipe. I used a little baking powder and mixed all my spices and placed in plastic bag. I Aldo added onion powder and dill. Added dry chicken. Turned out crispy. Would definitely do again. I did not use melted butter. I cooked first at 250. When ready to flip I turned temp up to 425.
Marie
0This recipe was awesome! It’s very easy to make and an absolute time saver on school nights. My husband and the kids liked it a lot. The ingredients are basic but it’s perfect since I had all of those in my pantry! I will definitely repeat it!!
Rebecca Gleason
0We’re not usually leg enters but this new way you taught to crisp them up has made us fans! Not often fans of paprika in my house so wonder what options would still give that amazing flavor.
lacey walker
0The chicken drumstick recipe is the best I have ever made. I have tried to mimic KFC chicken and sometimes even came up with my own but I didn’t know it was so simple to make such mouth watering perfectly seasoned chicken. It barely took any time to prep, which is great because I have a toddler and we all know that we don’t have time but I will definitely be making this again the hubby loved it
Mary Jo
0Awesome recipe. I used wings and dummies as are my husband’s favorites. Just kept an eye out to make sure I didn’t over cook.
Brenda
0Very simple recipe, with flavorful extra crispy skin! I used avocado oil. Definitely saving this recipe to make again. Next, I’ll do chicken wings in the air fryer.
Linda H
0This was yummy! Always looking for new recipes for chicken. ☺️
Amanda King
0My family loves cooking this simple type of recipes. I usually will do the powdered garlic and herbs instead of the paprika, but it made a big difference in flavor. I also used thighs but I had to adjust the temperature to 350 and lengthen the cooking time till they were golden brown.
Jan
0I just made this recipe last night. The seasonings were good and I added a little extra. I had to cook mine longer than the recipe states, but that was the way we like our chicken done.
Shelia
0I’m doing with Air Fryer Roaster and delicious.
Gwendolyn Bennett
0This recipe was so easy, and delicious, this recipe is now apart of my weekly meal preps. The smoked paprika really made this chicken stand out. I have really enjoyed making the recipes.