I love the crispy skin and juicy meat of baked chicken legs! My recipe for this classic dish is easy, comes out super flavorful every time, and is made with a handful of pantry ingredients.
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My Favorite Recipe for Baked Chicken Legs in the Oven
I’m a mom of two, so I’m always looking for quick and easy weeknight dinner options that the whole family will enjoy. Baked chicken legs have become a staple in our house — my kids can’t get enough of the crispy skin, and my husband Ben appreciates how easy it is to prepare. He can even do it himself when I have other stuff going on!
This is the perfect recipe for beginners. Seriously, if my husband can make it, so can you. No shade to him, but he has a food blogger for a wife so he doesn’t get to practice much.
I remember the first time I put him in charge of this dinner while I was out with a few friends. I got a string of texts when he saw what dinner was that night, but I told him he would be okay.
I got home that night, and as soon as I walked in the door, he came over and said, “I might be the new chicken leg master around here.” I laughed, and he told me about how they turned out juicy and tender, and how he made the recipe perfectly without any questions.
And, if you love a good chicken recipe, try my recipes for air fryer chicken legs, chicken spaghetti, oven roasted chicken, baked chicken tenders, lemon chicken, garlic parmesan chicken pasta, and Mississippi chicken.
Chicken Legs Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken Drumsticks – I use skin-on chicken legs to get a crispy skin
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Italian Seasoning
- Olive Oil – vegetable oil, corn oil, and canola oil all work great too
How to Bake Chicken Legs
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, then place a wire rack on top.
STEP TWO: Place the oil, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion, powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix until well combined. Add the chicken drumsticks to a large bowl or bag and pour the oil and seasoning mixture on top. Toss to coat evenly.
STEP THREE: Add the seasoned chicken to the prepared sheet pan in a single layer with some space in between each drumstick. Bake for 40 minutes, turning halfway through.
STEP FOUR: (Optional) For crispier skin, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes after baking.
STEP FIVE: When the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, remove it from the oven to rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices settle. Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Baked Chicken Legs
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture. I find this helps the oil stick to the chicken, making it extra crispy. I really notice the difference if I skip this step.
- Leave plenty of room on the baking sheet. If it’s too crowded, the chicken will steam instead of roast! I like to leave a few inches in between each leg.
- Store any leftover chicken legs in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months!
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes. I also reheat them in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 375 degrees.
Variations and Substitutions for Oven Baked Chicken Legs
- Add baking powder to the seasoning mix. This helps them crisp up even more when baked.
- Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for a few hours (4 hours tops) before seasoning for the most tender results. This step is totally optional, but I love doing it when I have time.
- Brush BBQ sauce over the drumsticks in the last 5 minutes or so of cooking for a sweet and flavor tangy.
- Brush the drumsticks with honey or maple syrup in the last 5 minutes of cooking for a sweeter glaze.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the seasoning mix for a bright, citrus flavor. I love lemon, so I make this variation a lot!
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to add a little heat. I’ve even added a dash or two of buffalo sauce!
What to Serve with This Chicken Legs Recipe
I love serving this chicken legs recipe with roasted potatoes, broccolini, or Brussels sprouts for my veggies, plus maybe a garden salad or coleslaw to give my kids a few options. Garlic cheese bread or some biscuits round everything out!
Baked Chicken Legs FAQ
How Long to Bake Chicken Legs?
I bake chicken legs at 400 degrees F for about 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F. When I’m craving crispier skin, I broil them for 1-2 minutes too. For the juiciest results, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- London broil marinade
- Tuna salad recipe
- 4 ingredient potato soup
- Easy pizza crust recipe
- Oven pulled pork
- Smothered pork chops recipe
- Chicken cordon bleu
- Pork tenderloin in the oven
Easy Baked Chicken Legs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8-12 skin-on chicken drumsticks
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and place a wire rack on it.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the oil, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion, powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a large Ziploc bag or bowl. Pour the oil and seasoning mix over the chicken a toss the chicken to coat it with the seasoning mix.
- Place each chicken leg on the wire rack making sure there is a little space between each drumstick.
- Bake the chicken legs for 40 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking using tongs. They are done when a meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees F.
- (Optional) For crispier skin, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes after baking.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture to help the oil stick and get the skin crispier.
- Leave space between each chicken leg on the wire rack.
- Store any leftover chicken legs in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months!
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes. They can also be reheated in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 375 degrees F.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
