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Free: 5 Secrets To Fast Healthy DinnersGet It Now This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free. (Full disclosure) 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 is one of my favorite chicken leg recipes, but if you want to cook other cuts of chicken, try baked chicken breast, air fryer chicken wings, roasted chicken thighs, baked chicken leg quarters, or browse more chicken recipes here. Why You’ll Love This Crispy Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
Ingredients You’ll NeedThis 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. This crispy oven baked chicken legs recipe is simply seasoned. You’ll need…
SEASONING VARIATIONS: Want to change up the basic chicken drumsticks recipe? Try replacing the seasonings with Italian seasoning or lemon pepper 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. How To Make Baked Chicken Legs In The OvenThis 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. I have 3 simple, but important, tips to ensure your crispy baked chicken legs turn out perfectly each and every time:
How To Prepare Chicken Legs For BakingYour prep for oven roasted chicken legs is centered around encouraging air circulation to get them crispy.
TIP: The oven rack helps circulate the hot air around chicken, for the best baked chicken drumsticks that are nice and crispy!
How To Season Chicken Legs
TIP: You can season in the chicken in a large bowl if you prefer. Simply pour the melted butter over the chicken in the bowl, add the seasonings, and toss to coat. How To Bake Chicken Legs
TIP: For best results, flip the chicken legs halfway through baking, which will help them crisp up more and cook more evenly.
How Long Do You Bake Chicken Legs In The Oven?For average sized drumsticks, I recommend a cook time of 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. Whether you are cooking chicken legs in the oven or using just about any other method, they should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F; some people prefer 170 degrees F for more tender meat. Either way, here is the meat thermometer I use and recommend. Nutrition OverviewThe full nutrition info is below, but these are the answers to common questions about this recipe… Are Baked Chicken Drumsticks Healthy?Yes, easy baked chicken legs in oven is a healthy way to cook drumsticks. They are a great source of essential amino acids, and several vitamins and minerals as well. Being higher in fat, drumsticks are a great choice for a keto lifestyle. How Many Calories In A Baked Chicken Leg?A baked chicken leg using this recipe has 236 calories, which includes the butter we brush on top. The calorie count will vary based on size. How Much Protein In A Chicken Leg?An average chicken leg has 22 grams of protein, but it will vary a bit depending on their size. Storage InstructionsStore this easy chicken drumstick recipe in the fridge for up to 5 days. Can You Freeze Raw Drumsticks?Absolutely! You can freeze raw chicken for up to 9-12 months for best results. Simply lay the drumsticks 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. That way there is virtually no prep before baking later. Can You Freeze Baked Chicken Drumsticks?Yes, you can freeze this oven roasted chicken legs recipe after baking if you like. It will last several months. However, the recipe is so quick and easy that you don’t save a lot of time by freezing. I’d opt for freezing the raw drumsticks instead and making them fresh when needed. Reheating instructions:Reheat leftover chicken in a 350 degree F oven for best results. The oven baked chicken legs will be crispier and better if you bake them to reheat them, but can also be microwaved in a pinch. TIP: If the skin is not crisp after reheating, you can place under the broiler for a minute or two, until crispy. Watch closely so they don’t burn. To reheat frozen drumsticks, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight (or for a few hours) and reheat in a 350 degree F oven for best results. What To Serve With Chicken LegsThere isn’t much that doesn’t go with baked chicken drumsticks. If you want to turn it into a full meal, I recommend serving it with a vegetable side dish. Here are a few recipes to get you started:
This chicken drumstick recipe is flavorful enough on its own, but feel free to serve it with BBQ sauce or other sauces you like with chicken. More Easy Chicken Recipes Readers Love
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Serving size: 1 drumstick Nutrition Facts Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above. Calories 236 Fat 16g Protein 22g Total Carbs 0g Net Carbs 0g Fiber 0g Sugar 0g Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy. © Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂 What should I put on my drumsticks?Other Seasoning Ideas for Baked Chicken Drumsticks. Ranch seasoning.. Lemon pepper.. Garlic Herb seasoning.. BBQ (use the dry seasonings in the recipe below and then brush with BBQ Sauce in the last 15 minutes of baking).. Teriyaki.. Jerk seasoning.. Taco seasoning.. What is chicken leg good for?Chicken legs and thighs are an excellent source of many essential nutrients. Iron and zinc, which are important for a healthy immune system, are present in much higher quantities in dark meat than in white meat.
How long does it take to cook legs?In a 400 degree oven baked chicken drumsticks take about 35 to 45 minutes to cook through depending on their size.
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