The Best Baked Bbq Chicken Legs
I love to grill anytime of year summer, spring, fall and even winter. There is something about delicious smoky, crunchy, and savory foods right off a hot grill that is so crave-able but grilling can easily become a giant pain.
Thankfully, when Im craving crunchy, smoky, and delicious chicken drumsticks, I can make them anytime of year, fuss-free!
This amazing baked chicken legs recipe isnt done on the grill- were getting the crunchy, sticky, bark-covered chicken drumsticks from heaven made right in your oven! This easy baked chicken drumstick method is then coated in layers of bbq sauce to develop a crunchy bark straight from the oven as well as rich, smoky flavors.
If youre on a keto or low carb diet this recipe can be made with any keto bbq sauce you love.
Dont Miss: For a crunchy baked chicken drumsticks recipe in an air fryer, check out my Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
And if youre looking to make drumsticks from frozen with no defrost time check out my Instant Pot BBQ Legs recipe! If youre a mustard lover, dont skip my Honey Mustard Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe!
Are Baked Chicken Legs Healthy
Chicken legs are an excellent source of protein and a nutritious and healthy option if prepared in the right way. Baking chicken in the oven is much healthier than fried chicken for sure! If you are following a low-fat diet, remove the chicken skin before eating it. I prefer baking the chicken with the skin on to make sure the meat doesnt dry up however, you can remove it if you prefer. Buying organic chicken without added hormones is always best!
Easy Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Easy Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe is the perfect way to make juicy and tender chicken that your whole family will love! These chicken legs are coated in a simple, and flavorful marinade, then baked to perfection.
Since everyone has tried and raved about my recipe for Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, I thought it was time to post another one of my favorite baked chicken recipes!
Chicken drumsticks are a really simple and inexpensive cut of meat to cook. Just like the chicken thighs, it is also one of the recipes I get questions about most often. I have had countless friends, family, and readers ask me how to cook chicken legs. If you’re looking for another really fun and flavorful chicken recipe try these Chicken Drumsticks too!
These are the questions that come up most often, and today I am going to answer them for you!
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Crunchy Baked Bbq Chicken Drumsticks
Easy and delicious Crunchy baked bbq chicken drumsticks the best recipe for crispy baked BBQ chicken legs right from your oven, without added breading or extra steps!
Here at Sweet Cs, we have lots of types of readers those who like to get straight to the recipe, and those who would like more information, including tips and tricks to feeling more comfortable in the kitchen.
We provide a skip to recipe button in the top left corner, as well as a clickable table of contents, just below, to help make this page easier to navigate.
Baked Bbq Chicken Tips
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How Long Does It Take To Cook Drumsticks In The Oven
Sticky drumsticks like this take 50 minutes to cook in the oven at 180°C/350F. This makes them caramelised on the outside with tender flesh.
Some recipes will say to bake them at a higher temperature for around 30 minutes. While they will cook through in this time, I find that the flesh is a bit too chewy for my taste.
How To Make Baked Chicken Legs In The Oven
This section shows how to cook chicken legs in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, see the recipe card below.
I have 3 simple, but important, tips to ensure your crispy baked chicken legs turn out perfectly each and every time:
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How To Make Baked Chicken Legs
Pop the chicken legs on a tray, spoon over sauce and bake!
In this recipe, Ive completed the meal with a side of crispy smashed potatoesmade on the same tray. In order to do this, Ive created a barrier between the chicken and potatoes using foil. This makes for easier cleaning up and stops the chicken juices leaking over to the potatoes which makes them soggy instead of crispy!
To prepare the potatoes quickly, I just microwave them. Then place on the tray, squish, drizzle with butter or oil. Together, the potatoes and chicken legs 50 to 60 minutes to bake to perfection crispy potatoes and sticky chicken legs with tender flesh.
Lemon Garlic Baked Chicken Drumsticks
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The secret to these juicy, flavor-packed baked chicken drumsticks is in the marinade! Loaded with Mediterranean flavors including lemon, garlic, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil. This easy chicken dinner is perfect for any night of the week. Add a side of tangy tzatziki sauce, Greek salad, or roasted veggies.
Be sure to watch the video and read the tips below!
Chicken legs are of the most convenient, inexpensive ingredients for an easy dinner. And you’ll love how versatile this baked chicken drumsticks recipe is.
These chicken legs with a pop of earthy spices including oregano, coriander, and cumin, is something you find in a Mediterranean kitchen. Pair it with a nice French chardonnay, and youve got yourself a show-stopping entree–on a budget!
Like my popular lemon chicken thighs, this juicy chicken pairs well with tzatziki for dipping along with a number of salads and sides–from mustard potato salad, Greek fries baked zucchini or a big three bean salad
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How To Make Baked Chicken Drumsticks
What To Serve With Chicken Legs
There isnt much that doesnt go with baked chicken drumsticks. If you want to turn it into a full meal, I recommend serving it with a vegetable side dish. Here are a few recipes to get you started:
- Southern Fried Cabbage Serve up your oven roasted chicken legs with this cabbage recipe as a nod to a classic Southern combo!
- Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad This salad has everything you want: crunch, sweet, salty, creamy! And everyones favorite ingredient.
- Mushroom Cauliflower Risotto This risotto can certainly stand alone as a meal, but pair it with baked chicken drumsticks for a balanced and well-rounded meal.
- Cheesy Cauliflower Tots Making this baked chicken drumsticks recipe for the family? Everyone will be happy about this side dish.
- Almond Flour Biscuits Remember that Southern cabbage side above? Add these for a REAL Southern meal. Just 4 ingredients!
- Oven Roasted Garlic Green Beans Even my kids couldnt stop eating these with their chicken.
- Easy Sauteed Broccoli A great option if you want to make your side dish while you have your chicken legs roasting in the oven.
This chicken drumstick recipe is flavorful enough on its own, but feel free to serve it with BBQ sauce or other sauces you like with chicken.
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How To Make Chicken Drumsticks
It’s super easy to make chicken drumsticks in the oven. This is a quick overview with step-by-step images to help you visualize the process. Scroll down to the recipe card for printable, detailed instructions. Here is the basic approach:
Honey Mustard Baked Chicken Drumsticks
This Honey Mustard Baked Chicken Drumsticks recipe is a perfect, effortless way to make baked chicken legs in the oven. With a magical 4 ingredient sauce, no marinating required, these chicken drumsticks are golden, sticky and everyone loves them!
Plus an optional side of buttery, crispy smashed potatoes for a drumsticks dinner made on one tray!
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Can You Cook Raw Chicken With Rice
Yes, absolutely! As long as the chicken reaches the recommended internal temperature of 165 degrees F, it is perfectly safe to eat both the poultry and rice that cooks in the same pan.
This is true for any other grain or vegetable you would like to cook with the chicken, as well, and is the same principle and technique used in many recipes for a whole roasted chicken cooked over a bed of potatoes and carrots. One pot dinner for the win!
Whats In The Chicken Marinade
The secret to juicy, flavor-packed chicken drumsticks is in the marinade, which is made of some Mediterranean pantry essentials like extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, lots of fresh garlic and a few spices. Here’s what’s in it:
- Oregano: this herb is native to the hills of the Mediterranean, so adding this gives a sense of terroir, or taste of the place.
- Coriander: ground coriander will add a nice warm and slightly nutty kick to the chicken drumsticks.
- Sweet Paprika: is made from red peppers and add depth and slightly sweet, fruity flavor.
- Cumin: I prefer ground cumin here for more concentrated flavor
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: lathering your chicken drumsticks in olive oil will keep them moist while cooking. I use my Private ReserveGreek Extra Virgin Olive Oil which .
- Lemon Juice: this tart lemon is what makes this marinade so fresh, just make sure to cup your hands under the lemon while youre squeezing to catch any seeds.
- Lemon Zest: for even more of a bright concentrated flavor, add lemon zest
- Garlic: not only is fresh garlic good for your health, improving cholesterol levels and combating sickness, but it is straight up delicious on baked chicken.
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How To Make Chicken Drumsticks In The Oven
How Do I Bake Chicken Legs So Theyre Not Dry
We all know the heartbreak of cutting into a piece of chicken weve lovingly cooked and realizing its too dry.
This is where a good marinade is key, keeping the chicken juice and making sure it is well-flavored. Extra virgin olive oil will keep the chicken moist as well as help the chicken carry the flavors. That is why you should make sure to massage the chicken with the spices and olive oil, lemon juice and zest. Even if you only have 30 minutes for the chicken to sit in the marinate, it will make a difference. And if you have time, let them marinate in the fridge for a few hours.
Should I bake the chicken legs covered or uncovered? I recommend cooking them uncovered so that the chicken skin can get nice and crispy.
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How Long Do You Bake Chicken Legs In The Oven
For average sized drumsticks, I recommend a cook time of 35-45 minutes at 425 degrees, flipping halfway through. The exact time will vary a bit, due to varying oven temperatures as well as drumstick size.
Whether you are cooking chicken legs in the oven or using just about any other method, they should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F some people prefer 170 degrees F for more tender meat. Either way, here is the meat thermometer I use and recommend.
What To Serve With Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
These drumsticks are pretty universal in character and friendly with a wide range of other dishes. Try these drumsticks with Fried Rice and a simple Garden Salad, as pictured above. Else, make up a big batch of Macaroni Salad or Potato Salad these are great big batch sides that keep in the fridge for days. For something different, theres also my marinated Vegetable Pasta Salad , a Quinoa Kale Salad or a big Sweet Potato Salad.
For more ideas, have a browse through my collection of Side Dishes .
Love to know if you try this let me know what you think! Nagi x
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How To Make Herb Roasted Chicken Breast Step By Step Photos
Begin preheating the oven to 275ºF. Take the chicken out of the refrigerator so it has a few minutes to come up to temperature. In a small bowl combine 3 Tbsp room temperature butter, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, 1/2 tsp salt, and some freshly cracked pepper . Rosemary pieces can be large, so I just crush them up in my hand before adding them. Stir this mixture up until it forms a paste.
Place two split chicken breasts on a cutting board and pat them dry with a paper towel. They need to be fairly dry for the butter to stick. Also, if the chicken is too cold they will form condensation and become wet again, which is why youll want them to warm a bit as you mix the butter. Spread the butter herb mixture over both sides of the chicken, coating it in a thick layer.
Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a casserole dish that is deep enough to fully contain the chicken. Cover the dish tightly with foil , or if the dish has a lid thats even better.
Roast the breasts in the 275ºF oven for 90 minutes, basting once half way through . After the full 90 minutes, remove the foil, baste one more time, and adjust the ovens heat to 425ºF.
Return the chicken to the oven and roast for 20 minutes without the foil, or until the skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
Give it one last baste with those delicious juices for good measure and let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes.
Roast Low And Slow For Tender Chicken
I first used the low and slow technique with my Oven Roasted Chicken Legs and was really pleased with not only the texture of the meat, but the delicious juices that were left in the dish after roasting.
This time I combined the butter with a trio of herbs and slathered it over two bone-in, skin-on split chicken breasts. The breasts were quite large, so I lowered the heat a bit and let them roast even longer before removing the cover to let them brown. The results were even more incredible. I pulled the meat from the breasts after cooking, drizzled the juices over top, and have been snacking on the meat all week.
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