Description
This baked chicken legs recipe delivers crispy, juicy drumsticks with minimal effort. Coated in melted butter and seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper, these chicken legs cook to perfection in the oven, making for a simple yet flavorful meal. An optional broiling step adds extra crispness to the skin, making them irresistible for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 medium chicken drumsticks (~1 1/2 lb)
Seasoning & Fat
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted; or substitute olive oil or avocado oil)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe rack on top to allow air circulation for crispier skin.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels to remove moisture, which helps in achieving crispy skin. Arrange the chicken legs evenly on the rack.
- Season Chicken: Brush each drumstick generously with melted butter. Then evenly sprinkle the smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper over the chicken for balanced flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet with chicken in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. After that, flip the drumsticks to ensure even cooking and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F (77 degrees C) and the skin is crisp and golden.
- Optional Broil: If you prefer extra crispy skin, place the chicken under the broiler for a couple of minutes, closely monitoring to avoid burning.
- Rest: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute for maximum juiciness.
Notes
- Serving size is 1 drumstick.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days; skin may soften but can be re-crisped in the oven.
- Reheat chicken legs in the oven at 350 degrees F for crispy skin and juicy inside; broiling briefly can help re-crisp the skin. Avoid microwaving for best texture.
- For freezer meal prep, season and brush raw chicken with butter, then freeze. This helps retain moisture and flavor with minimal prep when ready to cook.
- Freeze raw chicken drumsticks up to 9-12 months; baked chicken is best eaten within 3-4 months for optimal taste.
- Freeze chicken drumsticks on a parchment-lined sheet pan in a single layer until solid before transferring to freezer bags to prevent sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick (~90 g)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
