Description
Mouthwatering oven baked chicken legs showcase a simple yet flavorful Southern-style dish that promises crispy skin and juicy meat. Home cooks can easily prepare this classic comfort meal with basic pantry ingredients and minimal preparation time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 chicken legs (drumsticks), skin-on
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried thyme/oregano)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack in middle and preheat to 400F (200C). Line baking sheet with foil and place wire cooling rack on top for optimal air circulation.
- Moisture Elimination: Pat chicken legs completely dry using kitchen towels to guarantee a crispy exterior during roasting.
- Seasoning Fusion: Whisk olive oil with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian herbs, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne to create a dynamic spice blend.
- Coating Technique: Thoroughly massage seasoning mixture onto chicken legs, ensuring complete and even coverage of the protein.
- Rack Arrangement: Distribute seasoned chicken legs on wire rack, maintaining space between pieces to promote uniform heat circulation and crisp texture.
- Roasting Process: Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, rotating baking sheet midway to achieve consistent golden-brown coloration.
- Temperature Verification: Use meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165F (74C), ensuring safe and complete cooking.
- Resting Phase: Allow chicken legs to rest 3-5 minutes, enabling juice redistribution and maximizing meat tenderness.
- Finishing Touch: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley for visual appeal and complementary flavor profile before serving.
Notes
- Maximize Moisture Retention: Pat chicken legs completely dry before seasoning to prevent steaming and achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in natural juices.
- Optimize Seasoning Technique: Massage spices thoroughly into chicken legs, ensuring every crevice is coated for maximum flavor penetration and a more intense taste profile.
- Temperature Precision: Use a reliable meat thermometer to accurately check internal temperature, preventing undercooking or overcooking that can compromise texture and food safety.
- Customize Spice Blend: Experiment with alternative spice combinations like smoked paprika, herbs de Provence, or Cajun seasoning to create personalized flavor variations that suit different taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg