Easy Baked Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)

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Introduction

If you’re looking for an easy and delicious dinner option, look no further than easy baked chicken legs (drumsticks). This simple recipe requires minimal ingredients and preparation, and the result is a juicy, flavorful meal that the whole family will love. The chicken legs are seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, then baked in the oven until they are golden brown and cooked through. Serve with your favorite sides for a complete meal that’s sure to please.

Easy Baked Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)

Chicken legs are a delicious and easy meal to make. Baked chicken legs are a great way to enjoy this classic dish. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken legs (drumsticks)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  3. Place the chicken legs in a baking dish and brush with the olive oil mixture.
  4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is golden brown.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

These juicy baked chicken legs are an easy-to-prepare dinner! Just season with flavorful spices, then bake until golden brown. Now serve with your favorite side dishes for a hearty meal.

Looking for chicken recipes? Try baked chicken breast or roasting the whole bird.

Several of juicy, baked chicken legs on a white plate.
Table of Contents
  1. Chicken selection
  2. Season the meat
  3. Bake the drumsticks
  4. Serve this with
  5. Frequently asked questions
  6. Baked Chicken Legs Recipe

Making a tray of baked chicken legs is one of the most leisurely meals to prepare for dinner. To make the pieces of dark meat even tastier, I coat them with a flavorful seasoning paste. All you’ll need is a handful of common dried spices and herbs.

Baking the drumsticks at a high temperature in the oven ensures juicy pieces. As the fat from the skin renders, the skin becomes golden brown and lightly crisp. The process only takes about 35 minutes for quick preparation. Serve with mashed potatoes, steamed rice, vegetables, and your favorite dipping sauce for a complete meal.

Chicken selection

Ingredients to make baked chicken legs laid out on a table.

Chicken drumsticks are a very affordable protein option. They are flavorful due to the extra fat surrounding the meat, which yields juicy, tasty bites. You’ll need eight pieces for the recipe, about 2 pounds.

Bone in chicken thighs can also be used. You may need a few extra minutes of cooking time since it’s thicker and does not need to flip over. Make sure to cook the thigh piece’s skin side up.

Season the meat

Person using paper towels to dry the surface of a chicken drumstick.
Whisking together several seasonings in a mixing bowl.
Bowl of seasoned chicken legs.

It’s easy to enhance the savory taste of chicken drumsticks with a spice mix. I use olive oil, smoked paprika, dried Italian seasonings, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and coarsely ground black pepper. This mixture creates a paste that nicely coats the chicken. You can switch up the herbs for dried basil, oregano, parsley, or herbs de Provence.

Freshly chopped herbs work well too. Mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, chili powder, or chipotle powder for a spicy kick. You can bake them immediately or store them in the refrigerator for the next day. This baked chicken legs recipe is excellent for meal prep!

Bake the drumsticks

Raw chicken drumsticks evenly spaced out on a foil-lined sheet pan.
Partially baked chicken legs on a sheet pan.
Using metal tongs to flip over pieces of drumsticks in order to finish cooking.

Place the seasoned drumsticks on a greased, foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 425ºF (218ºC) for about 35 minutes. Cook for 25 minutes until the surface is golden brown, then flip and brown the other side for about 10 minutes.

The chicken is ready when the thickest part of the meat reaches around 170ºF (77ºC) on a meat thermometer. If you like more crispy skin, you can broil both sides for a few extra minutes.

Serve this with

Golden brown baked chicken drumsticks on a sheet pan.

Frequently asked questions

Should you wash drumsticks before cooking?

The chicken does not need to be washed. Doing so can contaminate your sink if not adequately cleaned and disinfected afterward. Dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Should I cover my chicken legs with foil when baking?

No, the drumsticks do not need to be covered with foil. Exposing the skin to the oven’s heat will help the skin render the fat and become lightly crisp instead of steam.

How do you keep drumsticks from drying out?

Don’t overcook them! Target 170 to 175ºF (77 to 79ºC) after resting. Dark meat contains more connective tissue and fat and needs an elevated internal temperature to dissolve fully. The chicken can also be brined or marinated to help retain more moisture.

Can you make the chicken legs in an air fryer?

Cook drumsticks in an air fryer at 380ºF (193ºC) for 10 minutes. Flip and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the thickest part reaches 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77ºC) on an instant-read thermometer.

Plate of cooked chicken legs served on a white plate.

Temperature for crispier skin

Bake the chicken drumsticks at 425ºF (218ºC). The elevated temperature quickly dries the skin’s surface so that it can brown and crisp. The oven needs to be heated above 350ºF (177ºC) to kickstart Maillard browning for more flavor and a golden hue. Lower temperatures make for tender drumsticks but with less texture contrast.

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  • Preheat the Oven –  Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Heat to 425ºF (218ºC). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Grease with olive oil or cooking spray to help prevent sticking.

  • Dry the Pieces – Thoroughly dry each piece with a paper towel to remove excess moisture from the surface.

  • Season the Pieces – In a large bowl, combine olive oil, salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the seasoning mix. Turn to coat evenly.

  • Bake the Chicken – Evenly space the pieces on the baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. Flip and continue baking until the skin is golden brown, about 7 to 10 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77ºC). Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

  • Serve – Garnish with parsley and transfer to a serving platter.

  • Serving Size: 2 drumsticks
  • Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
  • Reheating: Cover and reheat in the microwave on high setting in 15 to 30-second increments until hot.

Nutrition Facts

Baked Chicken Legs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 365
Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Fat 28g43%

Saturated Fat 6g30%

Trans Fat 0.1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 4g

Monounsaturated Fat 16g

Cholesterol 139mg46%

Sodium 1322mg55%

Potassium 366mg10%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 0.5g2%

Sugar 0.1g0%

Protein 27g54%

Vitamin A 287IU6%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 28mg3%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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