Description
These Juicy and Crispy Chicken Legs are seasoned with a flavorful blend of herbs and spices, then baked until the skin is perfectly crispy while the meat stays tender and juicy. They’re an easy, family-friendly dinner that’s great for any occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 8 chicken drumsticks
Seasoning Mix
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon baking powder (optional, for extra crispy skin)
Garnish
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for crispy baked chicken legs.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken drumsticks dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove moisture, which helps achieve crispier skin during baking.
- Mix Seasonings: In a bowl, combine olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and baking powder (if using) to create a flavorful seasoning blend.
- Coat Chicken: Evenly coat each chicken leg with the seasoning mixture, ensuring all surfaces are covered for maximum flavor and crispiness.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the coated drumsticks on a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet. This setup allows air to circulate around the chicken, promoting even cooking and crisp skin.
- Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Halfway through cooking, turn the drumsticks to ensure even browning. Bake until the skin is golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Optional Broiling: For extra browning and crispiness, broil the chicken legs for 2 to 3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish with chopped parsley and serve the chicken legs hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Drying the chicken well before seasoning helps achieve a crispier skin.
- For extra browning and crispiness, broil the chicken legs for 2–3 minutes at the end of baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
