Baked Chicken Legs

Two chicken legs on a baking sheet surrounded by other chicken drumsticks.

These easy baked chicken legs are crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle, and packed with smoky, savory flavor. With simple pantry seasonings and a hot oven, they turn into a delicious, no-fuss chicken dinner.

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time55

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 609kcal

Author: Tristin - Home Cooked Harvest

Ingredients

1 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon brown sugar
8 large chicken legs
1 1/2 tablespoons oil

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 425°F. Line a 13x9-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small mixing bowl, mix together all of the seasonings, set aside.
Pat the drumsticks very dry with paper towels. This is important for getting crispy skin.
Place 8 drumsticks in a large bowl. Drizzle on the oil and rub in to fully coat.
Next, sprinkle on the seasoning. Rub it all over the chicken, even underneath any loose skin.
Place drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for about 40 - 45 minutes, turning the drumsticks once around halfway through.
They're done when the thickest part reaches at least 175 -185°F with an electric thermometer at the thickest point but not touching the bone. Make sure to cook it past the normal 165°F recommendation for chicken, dark meat needs to cook longer.
Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer for perfectly tender drumsticks. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone. Chicken is safe once it reaches 165°F, but drumsticks are especially tender and flavorful when cooked to about 175–185°F.
Spicy Cajun Chicken Legs: Replace the Italian seasoning with Cajun seasoning and add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a bold, lightly spicy flavor. Serve with ranch dressing or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

Nutrition