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    You are here: Home » Chicken Recipes » Best Damn Oven Baked Chicken Legs

    Best Damn Oven Baked Chicken Legs

    Last Modified: March 15, 2024

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 4.9 from 146 reviews

    These chicken legs are golden on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside and unbelievably savory with every bite. With just a few simple ingredients, we turn ordinary chicken drumsticks into extraordinary.

    Recipe for oven baked chicken legs

    This is one of those recipes that I get excited about. It’s so easy to make and the results are always awesome. It’s easily adjustable too – you can double or triple the recipe for a crowd, or even add a bit of kick of heat and serve on game day. I think you’re really gonna love this recipe!

    Ingredients

    Chicken drumsticks are the star of his show, and I love that they’re still very affordable. You can usually find packages of drumsticks that are much lower in price than any other part of the chicken. That’s fine with me! Even if it’s a large package i’ll use what I need now and freeze the rest for later.

    Recipe for oven baked chicken legs

    We’ll use a simple seasoning blend of dry herbs and spices: paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, rosemary, parsley, ground mustard, salt and pepper. Then we’ll use a tablespoon of olive oil to hold all the seasonings to the chicken and help get that golden crisp skin we love to much.

    Preparation

    This recipe is SO easy. We simply mix herbs and spices in a small dish. Add the chicken legs to a large, gallon-sized ziptop bag and add the olive oil. Seal the bag and roll those legs around for a minute to distribute the oil evenly on all the chicken. Then, open the bag, pour in the seasonings, close the bag and do the shake thing. Take a minute or so to do this and massage the chicken to really get that seasoning well distributed.

    Seasoning chicken legs in a ziptop bag

    Set aside for a minute and preheat your oven to 425°(F) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Give the foil a good spray with non-stick cooking spray. This is important as the chicken will stick without it.

    Now take the chicken out of the bag and place on the foil lined sheet. Then into the oven it goes for 40 minutes.

    Recipe for oven baked chicken legs

    After 40 minutes the chicken will be a beautiful golden color and the inside will be at least 165°(F) when checked with an instant read thermometer. In fact, it will probably be closer to 185-195°(F) which is exactly what we want!

    Pro Tip: Chicken Legs are Better at 185-195°(F)!

    The rule of cooking chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F has been well-established for quite some time. However, when it comes to darker meat portions such as chicken legs, thighs, or the entire leg quarter, exceeding this temperature is often encouraged for optimal results! When heated to around 185°F, the collagens within the meat begin to break down, contributing to the juiciness and “fall-off-the-bone” tenderness that we cherish so much in dark poultry meat.

    Check out this great article by America’s Test Kitchen regarding “overcooking” chicken drumsticks and thighs.

    Let Rest and Serve

    Carefully remove the chicken to a plate or platter and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

    Recipe for oven baked chicken legs

    Can this recipe be doubled?

    It sure can. You can even triple or quadruple this recipe! Simply adjust the ingredients accordingly. The cook time will still be 40 minutes, just be sure to not crowd the chicken too much on the pan. Keep the legs from touching and always keep in a single layer.

    Give it a kick

    Want to give the chicken legs a little heat? Add a ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and even a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. You can also deepen the flavor by using smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.

    Recipe for oven baked chicken legs
    Print

    Recipe

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    Recipe for oven baked chicken legs

    Best Damn Oven Baked Chicken Legs


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    4.9 from 146 reviews

    • Author: RecipeTeacher
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 2-3 servings
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Expertly seasoned and oven roasted to perfection, these chicken drumsticks are so delicious, so juicy, so tender, you will not believe you made them with this simple recipe.


    Ingredients

    • 6 chicken legs
    • 2 tsp paprika
    • 1.5 tsp kosher salt
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp rosemary, dried
    • 1 tsp parsley flakes
    • ½ tsp ground black pepper
    • ½ tsp ground mustard
    • 1 tbs olive oil

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 425°(F)
    2. Pat chicken legs dry with a paper towel and trim any excess skin
    3. Place chicken legs in a large ziptop bag and add olive oil. Close bag and shake to coat chicken well with the oil.
    4. Add seasoning mix to bag, close and shake to get chicken well coated with seasoning.
    5. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
    6. Place chicken legs on baking sheet and place on middle rack of oven for 40 minutes, turning halfway.
    7. Chicken must have internal temperature of at least 165°(F), but 185-195°(F) is ideal for best results.
    8. Let rest for several minutes before serving.
    • Prep Time: 10 min
    • Cook Time: 40 min
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

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    Recipe for oven baked chicken legs
    18.3K shares
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      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Rachel says

      October 24, 2024 at 4:01 pm

      Question – what kind of kosher salt do you use in your recipes? I’ve learned the hard way that Diamond Kosher salt and Morton’s vary quite a bit in how salty the dish is! I can’t wait to try this yummy-looking recipe!

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        October 24, 2024 at 7:06 pm

        Hi Rachel! So I generally use Morton’s. Diamond uses a coarser grind, so it can be a bit different.

        Reply
    2. Robin says

      October 23, 2024 at 2:30 pm

      Very good! The only thing I might at would be some panko for crust and crunch.

      Reply
    3. Mori says

      October 20, 2024 at 8:46 pm

      Truly the best chicken legs ever. I *hate* cooking and this the best, easiest, most flavorful, fool-proof recipe that my foodie family will gladly, happily eat. A gift recipe for non-cookers.

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        October 20, 2024 at 8:57 pm

        Music to my ears! Thanks, Mori!!

        Reply
    4. Brian says

      October 18, 2024 at 9:42 pm

      Truly is the best damn oven chicken. Skin is delicious. My very picky, practically vegetarian daughter asked for seconds… There is no higher compliment!

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        October 18, 2024 at 10:09 pm

        Now that is indeed some high praise!! Thank you Brian and Brian’s daughter!

        Reply
      • Beverly Zimmer says

        October 20, 2024 at 7:25 pm

        Wow! Super good. 5 star .

        Reply
    5. Bud French says

      October 06, 2024 at 10:54 pm

      Very tasty. I’ve made several of the recipes on this site all of them have been top notch. Thanks
      Bud

      Reply
    6. Starla Stephens says

      October 01, 2024 at 6:14 pm

      OMG, I made these a couple of weeks ago, and my husband loved them!! I just made them again and I’m hoping I get more than one leg this time, lol! Will definitely make them again!

      Reply
    7. jeanette zetter says

      September 28, 2024 at 10:12 pm

      Those were the best damn chicken legs I’ve ever eaten. Super easy, too. Only one suggestion. I put them on a rack on a foil covered pan. That way I didn’t need to turn them. They were golden brown on all sides. Easy clean up and yummy.

      Reply
      • Kathy Coles says

        October 01, 2024 at 9:36 am

        Great idea

        Reply
    8. Brian L says

      September 11, 2024 at 8:58 pm

      Lives up to its name. Made it, simple prep, and delicious. My young kids, one of whom is a very picky eater, both polished it off and asked for more.

      Reply
    9. Dawn says

      September 04, 2024 at 5:27 pm

      Only had 4 legs but followed the recipe for 6. One word. YUMMY!

      Reply
    10. Teresa says

      August 31, 2024 at 5:46 pm

      So good! A touch too salty for me, but great flavor and quick, easy prep. I baked them about 10 minutes longer than the recipe says to make sure they were really tender.

      Reply
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    Jason of Recipeteacher.com

    Hi, I’m Jason and i’m here to help you make easy, delicious homemade recipes. My approach is to provide the easy-to-understand instructions, use simple ingredients, and have you make the best meals possible.

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