Irresistibly Crunchy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs Recipe

Chicken legs dripping with garlic parmesan goodness make taste buds dance with pure delight.

The crispy coating locks in incredible flavor and texture.

Every bite promises a mouthwatering experience that elevates weeknight dinners.

Home cooks seek simple recipes that deliver maximum satisfaction.

This garlic parmesan chicken legs recipe blends classic ingredients with foolproof techniques.

Succulent chicken emerges from the oven golden and irresistible.

Serve these crowd-pleasing legs and watch everyone ask for seconds.

How to Prepare Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs for Crisp Skin

• Fire Up the Oven Create a sizzling hot environment by preheating your oven to 400F or air fryer to 380F.
• Prepare Chicken Massage chicken legs with olive oil, sprinkling generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until thoroughly coated.
• Crisp and Cook Place drumsticks on a wire rack over a baking sheet. For oven method, bake 35-40 minutes, flipping midway. For air fryer, cook 25-28 minutes, turning once, ensuring golden and crispy exterior.
• Whip Up Flavor Blend melted butter with minced garlic and Parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl, creating a rich, aromatic coating.
• Final Touch Transfer cooked chicken into the garlic butter mixture, gently tossing to ensure every piece is luxuriously covered. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while hot and bursting with flavor.

Tips That Help the Parmesan Stick and Shine

• Soak chicken legs in saltwater solution for 30 minutes before seasoning to ensure extra juicy, tender meat that stays moist during cooking.
• Ensure chicken legs are completely dry before seasoning and cooking to achieve maximum crispiness and golden-brown exterior.
• Replace Parmesan with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a keto-friendly coating that maintains the same delicious crunch and flavor profile.
• Add red pepper flakes or cayenne to the seasoning mix for those who enjoy a spicy kick without overwhelming the garlic and Parmesan flavors.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano mixed into the Parmesan coating for an aromatic twist on the classic recipe.

Ways to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs to Please a Crowd

• Party Platter Paradise: Arrange chicken legs on a rustic wooden board with fresh herb sprigs for a stunning centerpiece that'll wow guests.
• Quick Meal Companion: Pair with roasted vegetables like crispy Brussels sprouts or garlic-seasoned asparagus for a complete and balanced dinner.
• Dipping Delight: Serve alongside cool ranch, spicy buffalo, or creamy garlic aioli for extra flavor excitement that'll have everyone reaching for more.
• Leftover Magic: Slice cold chicken legs and toss into salads, wrap in tortillas, or chop for a protein-packed chicken salad lunch the next day.

Save Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs for Later Without Losing Crispness

• Transfer leftover chicken legs to airtight containers, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Chilled chicken tastes great when reheated gently.
• Prepare chicken legs in advance and store uncooked seasoned drumsticks in sealed zip-lock bags inside the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
• Wrap cooked chicken legs individually in aluminum foil, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen chicken maintains quality for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Restore crispy skin by warming chicken legs in a preheated oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy texture. Brush with extra melted butter for added moisture and flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 620 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients That Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs Flavorful

• Chicken Legs: Drumsticks perfect for crispy, flavorful main dish with rich dark meat texture.
• Olive Oil: Helps seasonings stick and creates golden, crunchy exterior.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers bringing out natural chicken taste.

• Garlic Powder: Adds deep, aromatic flavor without raw garlic intensity.
• Onion Powder: Provides subtle sweet undertone and complexity.
• Paprika: Introduces warm color and mild smoky essence.

• Butter: Creates rich, luxurious coating with incredible depth.
• Fresh Garlic: Brings sharp, intense flavor profile when minced.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers salty, nutty complement with crispy texture.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright color and fresh herbal note to finished dish.

Tools for Baking or Grilling Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for seasoning chicken and tossing with garlic butter.
• Baking sheet: Use with wire rack to ensure crispy chicken skin when baking.
• Wire rack: Helps air circulate around chicken legs for even cooking.
• Paper towels: Perfect for patting chicken dry before seasoning.
• Measuring spoons: Needed for precise spice measurements.
• Large serving bowl: Used for coating chicken in garlic parmesan mixture.
• Cutting board: For chopping parsley and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Required for mincing garlic and chopping parsley.

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs Recipe

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4.9 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic parmesan chicken legs bring Italian countryside flavors to your dinner table with irresistible golden-brown charm. Crispy herb-crusted chicken promises a perfect blend of garlic, parmesan, and tender meat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 chicken drumsticks (about 907 g)
• ½ cup (118 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Prep: Meticulously pat chicken legs dry. Thoroughly coat with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of seasonings.
2. Cooking Method Selection: Choose between oven or air fryer technique. For oven, position drumsticks on a wire rack atop a baking sheet at 400°F. For air fryer, set temperature to 380°F.
3. Roasting Process: Bake or air fry for 25-40 minutes, rotating midway through cooking. Ensure skin becomes golden and crispy while internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Simultaneously prepare garlic Parmesan coating by combining melted butter, finely minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese in a spacious mixing bowl.
5. Final Coating: Transfer perfectly cooked chicken legs directly into garlic butter mixture, gently tumbling to achieve uniform, luxurious coverage.
6. Presentation: Artfully sprinkle additional chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese for visual appeal and extra flavor dimension. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Pat chicken legs completely dry before seasoning to help achieve a crisp, golden exterior that locks in moisture.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the most robust flavor and best coating texture on the chicken.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches exactly 165F for food safety without overcooking and drying out the meat.
• Adjust garlic powder and paprika quantities to match personal taste preferences, allowing flexibility in flavor intensity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg