Oven Baked Chicken Legs (Printable Version)
Tender, crispy chicken legs roasted with aromatic spices for a simple and delicious meal ready in under an hour.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 8 chicken legs (drumsticks), skin-on
→ Marinade & Seasoning
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish (optional)
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
10 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and set a wire rack on top if available.
02 - Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over the chicken. Add paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat the chicken evenly with the seasoning.
04 - Arrange the chicken legs in a single layer on the prepared baking rack or sheet, leaving space between each piece.
05 - Bake for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The skin gets impossibly crispy while the meat stays juicy, no fancy equipment required
- Once you master this seasoning blend, you will want to put it on everything
02 -
- Starting with room temperature chicken helps it cook more evenly, so take the meat out of the fridge 30 minutes before roasting
- That wire rack makes a huge difference for crispy skin, but if you do not have one, just flip the chicken more frequently
03 -
- Broil for 2-3 minutes at the very end for extra crispy skin, but watch closely to prevent burning
- Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the finished chicken for texture and a fancy restaurant touch