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    Home Β» Chicken & Poultry

    Easy Baked Chicken Legs/Drumsticks

    Published: Jan 30, 2021 / Updated: Apr 7, 2022 / 28 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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

    You may also like my Easy Baked Chicken Thighs, this Easy Roast Chicken (Lemon & Herb), or these Honey Baked Drumsticks.

    stacked baked drumsticks in a bowl

    Why you'll love them

    It's fantastic just how good these baked drumsticks taste with a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. That's all you really need! The smoked paprika is rubbed onto the skin and gives it a nicer color and slightly smoky flavor. My favorite part is the flavorful crispy chicken skin you get from baking in the oven.

    This is one of those recipes that's family friendly and so easy to get on the table when you just want something completely low effort yet big on taste. There's 5 minutes of prep, and then you can enjoy hassle-free cleanup too!

    Ingredients for it

    • Chicken legs - we're using drumsticks, but you could also use chicken quarters/whole legs. The cooking time will remain the same. Whole chicken legs include the thigh and the drumstick.
    • Olive oil - this is what makes the skin crisp up
    • Salt & pepper - be generous with both
    • Smoked paprika - it's one of my go-to seasonings to bring a little smoky quality. It's not spicy.
    chicken legs on a baking sheet ready for the oven

    How to bake chicken legs

    This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    • Coat them with olive oil and salt & pepper, and then rub the smoked paprika onto the skin.
    • Bake on a foil-lined baking sheet at 400F for 35-40 minutes. Broil if desired, and let the chicken rest before serving. Easy!

    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)

    Helpful 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 could 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. I like it with my Instant Pot rice or mashed potatoes and then stovetop asparagus for a veggie.
    • Pasta pairs really well. Try my creamy pesto gnocchi.
    • You could dip them in ranch dressing or yum yum sauce too!

    Leftovers and storage

    • Leftovers will last in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
    • I'd reheat the drumsticks in the oven so that the skin has a chance to crisp up again.
    • You could try freezing leftovers for up to 3 months in a freezer bag, but the skin might not be as crispy as when you first made them after thawing. Just make sure they're cooled completely before heading into the freezer, and remove any air in the bag.

    More tasty chicken recipes to try

    • Easy Chicken and Gravy
    • Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice (One Pot Meal!)
    • Cream of Mushroom Soup Chicken Bake
    • Baked Chicken Tenders
    • Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole
    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. It's great for easy weeknight dinners!
    5 from 10 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
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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
    « Super Easy Pizza Pasta Bake
    Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup »

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    1. Kathy D says

      April 16, 2022 at 3:52 PM

      5 stars
      Easy peasy and tasty! I do a similar, but less healthy, version. This was a nice way to lighten up my usual recipe. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 17, 2022 at 12:16 PM

        You're very welcome, Kathy! So glad you enjoyed them. πŸ™‚

        Reply
    2. Tenita Harrison says

      January 20, 2022 at 6:41 PM

      5 stars
      Do love my chicken and My Kid's Love it also

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        January 20, 2022 at 7:20 PM

        So glad your family liked the recipe, Tenita!! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    3. Rhiannon Collins says

      January 7, 2022 at 3:34 PM

      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 165Β° it seems they’re still a little raw, but when I’ve been busy and forgot to check, the temp would read 170Β°-180Β° and they tasted great. Now I know why!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 7, 2022 at 3:40 PM

        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. πŸ™‚

        Reply
    4. Natalie says

      December 3, 2021 at 8:32 PM

      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
      • Natasha says

        December 3, 2021 at 8:59 PM

        Great!! I think that will turn out well!! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    5. Chevonne Adams says

      November 22, 2021 at 5:32 PM

      5 stars
      This Was EXTREMELY Helpful!! πŸ™‚πŸ™πŸΎ Thank You! My Boyfriend Loved Dinner

      (My First Attempt On Cooking PERIOD)

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 22, 2021 at 8:48 PM

        Yay!! That's so great to hear!! πŸ™‚ Thanks for letting me know, Chevonne!

        Reply
    6. Cheri Fisher says

      November 17, 2021 at 4:42 PM

      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
      • Natasha says

        November 17, 2021 at 6:58 PM

        That's great to hear!!! πŸ˜€

        Reply
    7. Shavelle says

      October 27, 2021 at 7:43 PM

      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
      • Natasha says

        October 28, 2021 at 10:02 AM

        You're very welcome!! πŸ™‚ I'm so happy you enjoyed it, and I love the BBQ sauce idea!

        Reply
    8. Odilia says

      October 20, 2021 at 11:31 AM

      5 stars
      Wonderful recipe! Perfect for that quick weeknight dinner. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 20, 2021 at 11:55 AM

        You're very welcome!! Thanks for taking the time to write me a review. πŸ™‚

        Reply
    9. Patti says

      September 16, 2021 at 11:39 AM

      5 stars
      Perfect for those of us who Love GIANT wings!!! I loved them

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        September 16, 2021 at 7:39 PM

        Awesome! Glad to hear it.

        Reply
    10. Kevin Downs says

      September 7, 2021 at 6:55 AM

      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
      • Natasha says

        September 7, 2021 at 9:38 AM

        That's great to hear! Thanks Kevin! πŸ˜€

        Reply
    11. Beth ROCK says

      August 14, 2021 at 4:08 PM

      5 stars
      Quick and easy

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 14, 2021 at 4:31 PM

        Thank you!!! πŸ™‚

        Reply
        • Angel Ickes says

          September 2, 2021 at 8:20 PM

          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
          • Natasha says

            September 3, 2021 at 8:30 AM

            Well that's great to hear, Angel!! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know! πŸ™‚

            Reply
    12. Beanie says

      July 6, 2021 at 3:17 PM

      5 stars
      Easy. Delicious.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 6, 2021 at 3:25 PM

        Thank you!! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    13. E. Watt says

      May 2, 2021 at 1:23 PM

      5 stars
      Awesome dinner love it so much thank you.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 2, 2021 at 1:23 PM

        You're very welcome!! πŸ™‚

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!Β  Read more...

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