Baked Chicken Legs Recipes

This roasted chicken drumsticks recipe couldn’t be easier! Sometimes simple is best, and when it comes to oven baked chicken legs, that couldn’t be more true. They are incredibly crispy, flavorful, and delicious, but they also only take 10 minutes to prep. I’m excited to show you how to cook chicken drumsticks using my favorite method, all my tips and tricks for cooking chicken legs in the oven, what to serve with them, and more. This post has everything you need to know!

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for baked chicken drumsticks, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Try replacing the seasonings with Italian seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, or Cajun seasoning, or add them in addition to the above. If your seasonings contain salt, reduce or omit the salt added separately. You can also make complimentary additions to the above seasonings, such as oregano, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or even chopped fresh herbs.

This section shows how to cook chicken legs in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Your prep for oven roasted chicken legs is centered around encouraging air circulation to get them crispy.

For average sized drumsticks, chicken leg bake time is 35-45 minutes at 425 degrees, flipping halfway through. The exact time will vary a bit, due to varying oven temperatures as well as drumstick size.

I have several simple, but important, tips to ensure your crispy baked chicken legs turn out perfectly each and every time:

Store leftovers of this easy chicken drumstick recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Yes, you can freeze raw chicken drumsticks for up to 9-12 months. Lay them on a parchment lined sheet pan in a single layer and place in the freezer. Once solid, you can move them to a freezer bag for more compact storage.

TIP: If you like, you can brush with butter and season the chicken legs before freezing.

Baked Chicken Legs

Tender, juicy chicken legs that are tossed in seasonings and baked until they have a crispy skin!

Prep: 10min

Total: 50min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 310 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 27 g, Fat 21 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 139 mg, Sodium 743 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2 lb)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp onion powder

Instruction:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degree F.
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking oil. Set aside.
3. Remove drumsticks from packaging. Pat them dry with paper towels. Place into a bowl or resealable plastic bag. Add oil oil and toss to coat.
4. In a small bowl combine seasonings. Add to bowl/bag and toss until chicken is coated.
5. Place drumsticks on the baking sheet. Place in a preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees or higher.

Baked Chicken Legs Drumsticks (Super Crispy!)

This 10-minute-prep easy oven roasted chicken drumsticks recipe will make SUPER crispy baked chicken legs that turn out perfectly every time!

Prep: 10min

Total: 50min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 190 kcal, Carbohydrate 0.4 g, Protein 13.5 g, Fat 14.7 g, Saturated Fat 6.7 g, Trans Fat 0.3 g, Cholesterol 90 mg, Sodium 333.6 mg, Fiber 0.1 g, Sugar 0.1 g, unSaturated Fat 6.6 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 6 medium Chicken drumsticks ((~1 1/2 lb))
• 1/4 cup Unsalted butter ((melted; or olive oil or avocado oil))
• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instruction:

1. 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.)
2. Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels, which will help them get crispy. Arrange the chicken legs on the rack.
3. Brush the chicken drumsticks with melted butter. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
4. 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).
5. 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.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Best Damn Oven Baked Chicken Legs

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.

Prep: 10min

Total: 50min

Yield: 2

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

Instruction:

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 least 165°(F)
8. Let rest for several minutes before serving.

Best Ever Baked Chicken Drumsticks Step by Step