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Crispy Baked Chicken Legs with Simple Seven-Ingredient Seasoning Recipe

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4.2 from 12 reviews

Deliciously crispy Baked Chicken Legs made with simple ingredients and a quick preparation method. Perfect for a hassle-free weeknight dinner, these flavorful drumsticks feature a smoky paprika and garlic seasoning blend, baked to juicy perfection with irresistibly crisp skin.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2½ pounds/1.13kg)

Seasoning & Oil

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Dry the Chicken: Pat the chicken drumsticks dry thoroughly using paper towels. Removing moisture is key to achieving crispy skin.
  3. Coat with Oil: Place the chicken pieces into a large gallon zip-top bag. Add the olive oil, seal the bag, and shake well to evenly coat all drumsticks.
  4. Add Seasonings: Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper into the bag. Seal the bag again and shake vigorously to distribute the spices evenly over the chicken.
  5. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Transfer the seasoned chicken pieces onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded for even cooking.
  6. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake the chicken legs for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the drumstick reads 165°F (74°C).

Notes

  • If you have chicken leg quarters, you can butcher them into thighs and legs by cutting along the natural line of fat that separates the two pieces.
  • Always thoroughly dry the chicken with paper towels to ensure crisp skin.
  • This recipe works well with other bone-in cuts like chicken thighs; just adjust cooking time accordingly.
  • For extra flavor and juiciness, marinate the chicken in buttermilk with garlic, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and thyme for 4 to 24 hours before cooking.
  • If you don’t have a zip-top bag, you can mix the chicken and seasonings in a large bowl by hand.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/crispy-baked-chicken-legs-with-simple-seven-ingredient-seasoning-recipe/