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Easy Baked Chicken Legs/Drumsticks

Published: / Updated: / 24 Comments

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This crispy baked chicken legs recipe is simple, inexpensive, and has minimal prep time. Great for easy weeknight dinners!

stacked baked drumsticks in a bowl

For these baked drumsticks, I used a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. The smoked paprika is rubbed onto the skin and gives it a nicer color and slightly smoky flavor.

You may also like my Easy Baked Chicken Thighs or these Honey Baked Drumsticks.

chicken legs on a baking sheet ready for the oven

Can I use whole chicken legs (chicken quarters)?

Yes! The cooking time will remain the same. Whole chicken legs include the thigh and the drumstick. 

How to bake chicken legs:

Coat them with olive oil and salt & pepper, then rub the smoked paprika onto the skin. Bake on a foil-lined baking sheet at 400F for 35-40 minutes. Full ingredients, instructions, and tips are in the recipe card below.

How long to bake chicken legs?

For this recipe, they're baked at 400F for 35-40 minutes. If your chicken pieces appear to be particularly small or large, the time may need to be adjusted a bit, but don't worry... it's harder to overcook dark meat than chicken breasts, for example. I always recommend using an instant read thermometer to ensure chicken is at least 165F before consuming it. This recipe will cook it beyond 165F (I find chicken legs and thighs are more tender when going beyond the safe minimum temperature, unlike chicken breasts).

baked chicken legs straight out of the oven (on baking sheet)

Recipe notes & tips:

  • You can cook as many/few chicken pieces as you want (whatever fits on your baking sheet!). The recipe suggests 6, but if your crowd eats more than 1 drumstick each, for example, you may want to double the recipe.
  • You can definitely play with the seasonings. Try garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, Montreal Chicken Seasoning (McCormick makes it)... there are so many possibilities. 

What to serve with baked chicken legs?

They go with pretty much anything. Rice, pasta (try my creamy pesto gnocchi), mashed potatoes, a salad, etc. You could dip them in ranch dressing or yum yum sauce too!

More tasty chicken recipes to try:

close-up of baked chicken legs (drumsticks) stacked in a bowl

Questions about this oven baked drumsticks recipe? Let me know in the comments below!

close-up of baked chicken legs (drumsticks) stacked in a bowl

Easy Baked Chicken Legs

This crispy baked chicken legs recipe is simple, inexpensive, and has minimal prep time. Great for easy weeknight dinners!
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 162 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 6 chicken drumsticks (bone-in skin on) see notes
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or more, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400F and move the rack to the middle position. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy clean-up.
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towel. Place the chicken pieces on the baking sheet and coat them all over with olive oil. Season them generously with salt & pepper. Sprinkle the smoked paprika on the skin, and then rub it on.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes. See recipe notes below for more info on timing. Optional: broil for a few more minutes to really crisp up the skin.
  • Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes prior to serving them (this ensures they will be juicy and tender).

Notes

  • You can use whole chicken legs (chicken quarters) if you prefer, or cook more than 6 drumsticks. Simply add a little more oil and seasoning and you're set.
  • If your drumsticks or chicken legs are particularly large or small, cooking time may need to be adjusted, but in general, dark meat is harder to overcook. I find dark chicken meat (legs & thighs) to be more tender when it's cooked well beyond the 165F minimum temperature, and it also takes some time for the skin to crisp up. Use an instant read meat thermometer so you're always in control.
  • You can change up the seasonings - see the blog post for my suggestions.
  • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. Nutrition info is for drumsticks (not entire chicken legs).

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 13gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 79mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 117IUCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baked chicken legs recipe, baked drumsticks
Author Natasha Bull
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  1. Rhiannon Collins says

    Thank you for mentioning that overcooking doesn’t hurt these thing. I feel like there are time when I’ve had time to pay attention and even though they reach 165° it seems they’re still a little raw, but when I’ve been busy and forgot to check, the temp would read 170°-180° and they tasted great. Now I know why!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Yes! With chicken legs/thighs it's definitely a lot different at 165F than chicken breasts. I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe and that you found the tip useful. 🙂

      Reply

  2. Natalie says

    5 stars
    Sounds RAD! I'm baking mine dipped in wheat germ seasoned with lemon pepper, Mrs. Dash, and turmeric. It's my 1st try at it.

    Reply

  3. Chevonne Adams says

    5 stars
    This Was EXTREMELY Helpful!! 🙂🙏🏾 Thank You! My Boyfriend Loved Dinner

    (My First Attempt On Cooking PERIOD)

    Reply

  4. Cheri Fisher says

    Thanks so much, I always wonder how long or at what temperature to cook chicken. This recipe was easy and the chicken turned out perfect.

    Reply

  5. Shavelle says

    Thank you for posting this recipe! I did it and absolutely loved it. I added the onion & garlic powder. Also I added some BBQ sauce at the end. Absolutely delicious and juicy! Wayyyy juicier than when I cook it in a deep pan covered with foil. 😁

    Reply

  8. Kevin Downs says

    5 stars
    Too easy! I baked 4 large legs and one wing. On two of the legs, I changed seasoning adding an Italian rub. Wow! So wanted to eat them all right then and there but had already had dinner. My compliments!

    Reply

      • Angel Ickes says

        Just got my first apartment and started cooking on my own with no help from my momma and sometimes I don't know how long to cook stuff. Did this recipe but with my own twist on seasonings (lemon pepper and chili drumsticks) for our chicken bacon salad tonight. Was super delicious and really helped me so I didn't accidentally have undercooked chicken.

        Reply