Perfectly juicy baked chicken legs is an easy and delicious recipe. Perfect as a quick lunch or dinner served with sides of your choice.
Ingredients
Full recipe with amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Chicken legs. Chicken drumsticks.
- Olive oil.
- Lemon juice.
- Chilli flakes.
- Smoked paprika.
- Fresh garlic.
- Oregano.
- Thyme.
- Salt and pepper.
How to bake chicken legs
- Make the marinade: Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs and spices in a measuring jug.
- Marinade the chicken legs: Pour over the chicken and allow to marinade for at least 20 minutes but ideally overnight in the fridge.
- Bake the chicken: Transfer the chicken to a baking dish that is big enough to hold the chicken in a single layer. I prefer a dish with a higher sides. As the chicken drumsticks bake, the marinade and chicken juices create a delicious (and I mean DELICIOUS!) sauce that is perfect spooned over rice or mashed potatoes. Allow the chicken to bake for 20-30 minutes, turning halfway, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes then serve.
How long to bake chicken legs
Chicken drumsticks or legs take approximately 20-30 minutes to bake at 200ºC/390ºF. You want the internal temperature of the chicken to be 73ºC/165ºF. It’s fine to pull the chicken out of the oven when it’s a few degrees less than that though as it will continue cooking as it rests.
Can I cook chicken legs in the Air fryer
Yes, absolutely. Cook the chicken at 180-190ºC (350ºF) for 10 minutes then turn over and continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes until golden and cooked through. It’s also a good idea to microwave the marinade for a few minutes then brush over the chicken halfway to make sure it stays nice and juicy.
What to serve with baked chicken legs
- Cacio e pepe mashed potatoes
- 10-minute lemon garlic sautéed broccolini
- Orange brown sugar glazed carrots
Baked chicken recipes
- Sticky soy honey baked chicken drumsticks
- Easy baked lemon chicken
- Baked chicken with white wine, garlic and herbs
Easy Baked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2lb) chicken legs / chicken drumsticks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 garlic cloves crushed/minced
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs and spices in a measuring jug.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken and allow to marinade for at least 20 minutes but ideally overnight in the fridge.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F.
- Transfer the chicken to a baking dish that is big enough to hold the chicken in a single layer.
- Allow the chicken to bake for 20-30 minutes, turning halfway, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes then serve.
Notes
- This recipe can easily be halved. I like making this quantity as leftovers keep very well for a few days and make a great, easy lunch.
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