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 and Marinade
- 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’s hot enough to crisp the chicken skin.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps in achieving crispy skin.
- Make Seasoning Mixture: In a bowl, combine olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional baking powder for extra crispiness.
- Coat Chicken: Evenly coat the chicken legs with the seasoning mixture, ensuring all sides are well covered for maximum flavor.
- Arrange Drumsticks: Place the coated drumsticks on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, allowing air to circulate around the chicken and promote even crisping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, turning the drumsticks once halfway through cooking to promote even browning. Cook until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley for freshness, and serve the chicken legs hot.
Notes
- Drying the chicken thoroughly with paper towels helps achieve crispier skin.
- For extra browning and crispiness, broil the chicken for 2–3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
