Des

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Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

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Baked Chicken Legs

This recipe for simple baked chicken legs is a kitchen staple! A great weeknight dinner and perfect for the whole family! 

Baked Chicken Legs are a staple that everyone needs in their recipe repertoire. Kids love them because they get to use their hands. Chicken legs are full of flavor and, depending on size, they also cook relatively quickly.

Chicken Drumstick or legs?

Technically speaking a chicken leg is the thigh (upper part) and drumstick (lower part). This recipe is technically for baked chicken drumsticks but the terms are often used interchangeably.

Whatever you call them, they are totally a crowd pleaser!

Easy Baked Chicken Legs

The best chicken rub:

For the seasoning in this recipe, I use the same chicken rub that I use in my garlic fried chicken. It’s a simple blend of salt, pepper, granulated garlic and paprika.

I find that it works best if it stays on the chicken for at least a couple of hours. Better yet, season it before you head off to work in the morning and pop it in the oven when you get home.

This recipe for simple baked chicken legs is a kitchen staple! A great weeknight dinner and perfect for the whole family! 

How long does it take to cook chicken legs?

For this recipe, you’ll roast the chicken legs at 425 degrees and it will take 30 – 40 minutes.

Can you make this recipe with white meat?

Sure! You could certainly use the rub with chicken breasts if you like. Boneless skinless breasts tend to overcook quickly and I find they are better for things like chicken tenders and stir fry. If you wish to substitute chicken breasts in this recipe, I would go for the bone-in, skin on variety.

This recipe for simple baked chicken legs is a kitchen staple! A great weeknight dinner and perfect for the whole family! 

Roast them at a little lower temperature to help them from drying out. 350 degrees for close to an hour should be perfect.

How do you know when chicken legs are done?

When determining if chicken is done you often hear “when the juices run clear”. Meaning that they are no longer pink. This can be a good indicator but, I prefer to use a meat thermometer. Chicken legs are fully cooked once they reach 165 degrees.

This recipe for simple baked chicken legs is a kitchen staple! A great weeknight dinner and perfect for the whole family! 

What do you serve with baked chicken legs?

My favorite way to serve these is with Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes and Summer Savory Green Beans. It’s comfort on a plate!

The BEST baked chicken legs. This kitchen staple is so flavorful and so easy to make. It'll be a family favorite for sure! #chicken #chickenlegs #comfortfood #weeknightdinner

Looking for more Chicken Recipes? Here are some of my favorites!

Dill Pickle Chicken Wings

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Fried Chicken Brine

Chicken Curry Recipe

This recipe for simple baked chicken legs is a kitchen staple! A great weeknight dinner and perfect for the whole family! 

Baked Chicken Legs

This recipe for simple baked chicken legs is a kitchen staple! A great weeknight dinner and perfect for the whole family! 
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 4 hrs 5 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 4 hrs 35 mins
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 135 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 10 chicken drumsticks
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons granulated garlic garlic powder is OK to substitute

Instructions
 

  • Pat the chicken dry.
  • Combine salt, pepper, paprika and granulated garlic together in a bowl. Rub over the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place chicken on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn and baked for another 15 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 1.1gProtein: 21.3gFat: 4.5gSaturated Fat: 1.2gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 643mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.3g
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: chicken, dinner

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Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
    March 29, 2019 at 11:12 pm

    5 stars
    This looks incredibly delicious! This couldn’t look any more perfect!

  • Reply
    Catalina
    March 29, 2019 at 6:05 am

    5 stars
    This will be great to have for dinner tonight! Look so great!

  • Reply
    Jade
    March 29, 2019 at 4:19 am

    5 stars
    Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!! Looks incredible!

  • Reply
    Lora
    March 29, 2019 at 3:16 am

    5 stars
    Simple and flavorful and goes so well with so many sides on a busy weeknight!

  • Reply
    Chrissie Baker
    March 29, 2019 at 12:43 am

    5 stars
    Can’t wait to try your recipe tonight’s supper. Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply
    Bee
    March 29, 2019 at 12:40 am

    5 stars
    Delish! I love it! Easy to prep but oh-so-delicious! Thank you for this!

  • Reply
    Melanie Bauer
    March 28, 2019 at 11:49 pm

    5 stars
    Looks incredibly delicious! Our whole fam will go crazy over this, so excited to give this a try!

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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