Perfectly Crispy Baked Chicken Legs Recipe! Baking Chicken Legs in Oven is great for an easy, healthy dinner- learn how to bake chicken legs!
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These baked chicken legs are the perfect protein for your weeknight dinners!
They only take 5 minutes of prep for succulent and juicy chicken that is absolutely packed with flavor in every bite.
Even if you are a beginner cook, this is a recipe you can make and enjoy! If you need other chicken recipes, try our Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs or Baked Boneless Chicken Breast!
Why we love baking Chicken Legs in the Oven
There is a lot to love about this chicken recipe. It’s one of our favorite proteins for a healthy dinner because it’s:
- Save $$ – Chicken legs are relatively inexpensive!
- Easy to cook – In addition to being cheap – these are super easy to cook.
- Great for meal prep – These chicken legs are great for meal prep and can be served in so many ways!
Baked Chicken Legs Ingredients
Ingredients to make these Chicken Legs:
- drumsticks
- olive oil
- spices: paprika, dried basil, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper
You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded box.
We love this meat thermometer for checking the temp to make sure your meat is cooked thoroughly!
How to bake Chicken Legs
- Place chicken drumsticks in a large bowl. Add olive oil and toss until evenly coated. Add the spices and toss again until coated evenly.
- Place drumsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 450° for 35 minutes or until it reaches an internal temp of 165. The skin should be golden brown and crispy.
What temp to bake chicken legs
- You should bake chicken thighs at 450° until they reach an internal temp of 165°.
How long to bake chicken legs in oven
- These chicken drumsticks will fully cook in 35 minutes.
Can you bake these in the air fryer?
I haven’t tried making this recipe in the air fryer – but you could try these Air Fryer Chicken Quarters instead!
Substitutions and Variations for Baking Chicken Legs in Oven
Olive Oil: You can substitute avocado oil, butter, or ghee.
Spices: These chicken legs would be perfect with so many different spices or even a chicken marinade! If you don’t like a certain spice, just omit it.
Can I substitute chicken thighs in this recipe?: You can substitute with boneless chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or chicken tenders, but the cooking time will be different. Check out these recipes for Baked Boneless Chicken Breast or Baked Chicken Thighs
Tips for making crispy baked chicken legs in oven
- Flip the chicken legs halfway
- Do not cover them in foil
- Bake them at a higher temp so they get crispy
Oven Baked Chicken Legs FAQs
You will know chicken legs are fully cooked when they reach an internal temp of 165 degrees.
Yes, you can bake chicken legs in the air fryer. Every air fryer is different but 13-15 minutes at 400 degrees should be enough time! Make sure to check that the chicken legs have an internal temp of 165 degrees.
What to Serve with Baked Chicken Legs
These baked chicken legs are perfect with our Crispy Sweet Potatoes, and Crispy Roasted Potatoes. You can also pair them with Brussels Sprouts or Asparagus.
How to Store Oven-Baked Chicken Legs
Storing: This will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container
Reheating: You can reheat this recipe in the microwave, toaster oven, or oven.
Other healthy chicken recipes:
Looking for other easy chicken meals? Check out these recipes!
Baked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- In a small bowl mix together spices.
- Place the drumsticks in a large bowl. Add olive oil and toss until evenly coated. Add the spices and toss again until coated evenly.
- Place drumsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 450 for 35 minutes or until it reaches an internal temp of 165. The skin should be golden brown and crispy.
Barb says
Excellent!
ermine bowman says
Can you do turkey wing
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’m sorry but I haven’t tried this, so I can’t be sure how that will work! I would look up a baked turkey wing recipe instead to make sure you get the cook time right, although I’m sure this marinade would work perfectly! good luck!