Description
Succulent oven baked chicken legs bring Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table with golden-brown crispy skin and juicy interior. Herbs and spices create a simple yet irresistible main course you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 8 chicken legs (drumsticks), skin-on
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried thyme/oregano)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Oil and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the kitchen workspace by positioning an oven rack in the middle position and heating the oven to 400F (200C). Line a sturdy baking sheet with aluminum foil and position a wire cooling rack on top for optimal air circulation.
- Thoroughly eliminate excess moisture from chicken legs using clean kitchen towels, ensuring a crisp exterior during roasting.
- Create a robust seasoning blend by combining aromatic spices, whisking olive oil with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian herbs, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a hint of cayenne for subtle heat.
- Meticulously coat each chicken leg in the seasoning mixture, rotating and massaging to guarantee comprehensive coverage of the protein.
- Strategically arrange seasoned chicken legs on the wire rack, maintaining sufficient spacing between pieces to promote even heat distribution and crispy texture.
- Roast the chicken legs in the preheated oven, rotating the baking sheet midway through cooking to ensure uniform browning, approximately 35-40 minutes.
- Verify doneness by checking the internal temperature reaches 165F (74C) using a reliable meat thermometer, confirming the chicken is fully cooked and safe to consume.
- Allow the roasted chicken legs to rest for 3-5 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant visual and flavor enhancement before serving.
Notes
- Ensure chicken legs are thoroughly dried before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness on the skin’s exterior.
- Experiment with different spice blends like Cajun, Mediterranean, or smoky BBQ to create unique flavor profiles without changing cooking technique.
- Use a digital meat thermometer for precise internal temperature checking, preventing undercooked or overdry chicken legs.
- For low-carb and keto dieters, this recipe naturally fits dietary requirements without modifications, making it versatile for multiple nutritional needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg