Description
Achieve incredibly tender and flavorful chicken legs with crispy skin using this simple and reliable oven-baked recipe. A weeknight dinner favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 – 3 pounds chicken legs (about 6–8 pieces)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- 2. Pat chicken legs thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- 3. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Add chicken legs and toss to coat evenly.
- 4. Arrange seasoned chicken legs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch.
- 5. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is golden brown and crispy. For extra crisp, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
- 6. Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Store any remaining cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g