This Baked Chicken Legs recipe is made with simple ingredients and only requires one sheet pan and 10 minutes of prep time. Chicken drumsticks are seasoned with a simple homemade spice mix and oven baked until tender and juicy with extra crispy skin! A delicious and easy meal sure to become a family favorite.
The Best Oven Baked Chicken Legs
We are big fans of chicken recipes on this site and although we have plenty of tasty, boneless skinless chicken breast recipes (my husband’s favorite part of the chicken) I usually prefer eating and cooking chicken legs, chicken thighs or chicken wings. In my opinion cooking dark meat is easier and the chances of overcooking it is much lower.
Chicken leg recipes and chicken leg quarters are my favorite, and this delicious recipe makes the best crispy chicken legs.
One of our most popular recipes (with tons of reader’s reviews) is our easy Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks with honey soy. It was only natural for us to share with you another flavorful chicken drumsticks recipe to add to your repertoire!
What’s in this Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe?
This chicken leg recipe is made with bone-in and skin on chicken, seasoned with a simple spice blend that includes pantry staples like paprika, garlic powder, chili powder and ground cumin. The spices add flavor without adding heat. The chicken skin which turns crispy when baked, keeps the meat moist during baking.
Why You Will Love this Recipe?
- Easy: Quick prep, simple pantry ingredients and one sheet-pan to clean up!
- Flavor: This recipe makes incredibly tasting crispy and juicy baked chicken legs!
- Effortless: A dinner recipe that only requires mixing a simple seasoning blend and putting chicken in a hot oven is the fastest and easiest way to put dinner on the table on a busy weeknight.
- Budget Friendly: Bone-in chicken drumsticks, whether you choose skin-on or skinless, are an inexpensive protein and a great option for meal prep or when feeding a large family.
Ingredients Needed for this Recipe
This is a quick overview of the ingredients used in this recipe, all of which you can find at any grocery store. For specific details and quantities, please check the recipe card below.
- Chicken Legs: Bone-in and skin-on chicken legs/drumsticks. Bone in and skin-on chicken thighs are a good substitution. Since we will be roasting the chicken at a high temperature, I recommend using skin-on chicken. The skin protects the tender meat from drying out in the high heat preheated oven. You can always remove the chicken skin afterwards. If you prefer skinless chicken, adding a bit of broth to the baking pan and baking it covered, usually prevents the meat from drying out
- Spices: The dried spice blend we use has a Southwestern vibe without being spicy. We make a mix of sweet paprika ( or smoked paprika), garlic powder, chili powder, ground cumin, salt and black pepper. You can customize the spices to your taste. For a little extra kick, you can add cayenne pepper.
- Oil: I use olive oil, but any mild oil like vegetable oil or avocado oil can be used.
How To Bake Chicken Legs
It doesn’t get much easier than these baked chicken drumsticks! For detailed instructions and baking times, see the recipe card below.
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 400º F and pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. This is an important step! This will help the spices to stick to the chicken and also get the chicken crispier.
- Mix Spices: In a small bowl, combine the spices.
- Season: Drizzle the chicken with oil and toss to get each drumstick evenly coated with oil. Season with the spice mix.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F , flipping once through the baking process.
- Rest: Remove the chicken from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Do you Bake Chicken Legs Covered or Uncovered?
For golden brown crispy skin, we bake the chicken drumsticks uncovered.
Is it Better to Bake Chicken Legs at 350 or 400?
Although both oven temperatures result in juicy chicken cooked to perfection, this recipe oven bakes the chicken at 400ºF. which results in tender, juicy chicken with golden brown crispy skin. If you want to bake the chicken at 350ºF, simply add 5 to 10 additional minutes to the baking time.
What’s the Best Temperature and Time to Bake Chicken Legs?
We prefer baking chicken legs uncovered at 400º Fahrenheit for about 40 to 45 minutes or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165 º Fahrenheit when checked with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the drumstick.
Do you Have to Flip Chicken Legs when Baking?
For even cooking and crispy skin, we flip the legs once through the baking process
Should I Cover Chicken Drumsticks with Foil when Baking?
No, covering the chicken is not necessary when baking chicken legs. If the chicken is browning too quickly, then you can tent the chicken with a piece of aluminum foil to prevent the chicken from burning.
How Do I Know the Chicken is Done Cooking?
The best and most accurate way to know when the chicken is ready is to test the internal temperature with a digital thermometer. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when checked on the thickest and meatiest part of the drumstick, without touching the bone. Usually it takes 40 to 45 minutes to cook average size, bone-in chicken legs in a pre-heated 400º F oven. I always recommend you take a quick peek after 35 minutes of baking to make sure the legs aren’t browning too fast.
Can I Use Chicken Thighs to Make this Baked Chicken Recipe?
Yes, absolutely. Instead of using chicken drumsticks, you can use bone-in chicken thighs.
What Is The Safe Temperature For Cooked Chicken?
For safety, always cook chicken until the juices run clear and the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy.
Making Ahead, Storage and Reheating
Making Ahead: Because this recipe doesn’t use any acid, you can season the chicken and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours. When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the fridge 30 minutes before baking so it comes to room temperature before it’s placed in the oven
Storage: Leftover baked chicken drumsticks will keep, stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Although you can enjoy chicken legs cold or at room temperature, drumsticks can be reheated in the microwave or uncovered in a preheated 350ºF oven for about 10-15 minutes. You can also use an air fryer for about 5-7 minutes at 375ºF.
Other Seasoning Ideas
The simple combination of spices in this recipe truly provides amazing flavor to the baked chicken. Since this recipe is really foolproof, you can switch the seasonings and still have great results. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
- Italian: 2 tea. garlic powder, 1 tea. Italian seasoning, 1 tea. paprika, salt and pepper.
- Lemon Pepper: 2 tea. lemon pepper, 2 tea. garlic powder, 1 tea. onion powder, 1 tea. dried parsley.
- Poultry Seasoning: 2 tea. dried basil, 2 tea. dried rosemary, 1 tea. garlic powder, 1 tea. paprika, 1 tea. dried thyme, 1 tea. dried mustard, 1/2 tea. onion powder, 1/4 tea. dried sage, 1/8 tea. cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
Tips for the Best Baked Chicken Legs
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, and then coat the drumsticks with olive oil before seasoning. These steps are very important if you want crispy, golden brown skin.
- Lay the chicken legs on the baking sheet with enough room around each so they’re not touching. Having proper heat circulation while baking is key for even cooking.
- If you want to boost the crispiness of the skin, you can broil the chicken during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Keep an eye on the legs to prevent them from burning.
- If the chicken starts to brown too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil.
- For a finger-licking good twist on flavor, brush the chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce during the last 5-8 minutes of baking!
- This baked chicken legs recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.
What to Serve with Chicken Legs
This is one of those recipes that go well with so many different side dishes. Here are a few serving suggestions you may like:
- Garlic Butter Pasta
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Cauliflower Gratin
- Lentil Salad
- Sautéed Green Beans
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
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Baked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks bone-in, skin-on (about 2 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika sweet or smoked
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. This will help the spices to stick to the chicken and also get the chicken crispier.
- Place the chicken in a mixing bowl or directly on the baking pan and drizzle them with olive oil. Toss to coat.
- In a small mixing bowl combine the garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the chicken and toss to coat. Lay the chicken legs on the baking sheet with enough room around each so they’re not touching.
- Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping once through the baking process. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Chef’s Tips
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, and then coat the drumsticks with olive oil before seasoning. These steps are very important if you want crispy, golden brown skin.
- Lay the chicken legs on the baking sheet with enough room around each so they’re not touching. Having proper heat circulation while baking is key for even cooking.
- If you want to boost the crispiness of the skin, you can broil the chicken during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Keep an eye on the legs to prevent them from burning.
- It’s best to check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
- If the chicken starts to brown too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil.
EZ says
Great recipe. I use bone in chicken thighs. For recipes like this for easier clean up instead of a bowl I mix the spices and chicken in a cheap plastic bag and toss the bag and use an air fryer lined with foil or parchment paper and toss foil after cooking.
Shemar says
Turned out great. Very tasty. Love the spices.