Tender, juicy Baked Chicken Legs that are tossed in a delicious seasoning made with pantry staples then baked. They have an amazing flavor, crispy skin and are a hit at every dinner table!.
We love chicken around here and there’s no shortage of chicken recipes on this site including these tender, juicy oven-baked chicken legs. If you’ve been wanting to switch out regular chicken breasts for something new, these crispy legs are the recipe to try!.
Baking chicken legs in the oven is so super easy (so are chicken thighs!). They’re first seasoned with spices and then all you do is pop them in the oven! It’s one of my favorite main dishes to make because they pretty much go with all the side dishes – macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables are just a few favorites!.
Check out my barbecue chicken legs and air fryer chicken drumsticks if you want more baked chicken leg recipes. They’re so delicious, too!.
So, if you want to learn how to bake chicken legs with skin that is deliciously crispy, keep reading! I’m going to give you all of my best tips!
This recipe is so easy – you probably have all of the ingredients for the seasoning sitting in your pantry now! Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
I really love to use smoked paprika in the seasoning because it gives the chicken a hint of smokiness like you get when you grill. But if you only have regular paprika that will work, too.
To get really crispy skin you need to thoroughly dry the chicken first. Pat them dry with paper towels. Getting rid of the extra water will make it easier to get that perfectly crispy skin.
Then, just pop the drumsticks in a large resealable bag along with the olive oil. Seal the bag and toss to coat the chicken in the oil. Add all of the seasoning, seal the bag again and toss again to coat the legs evenly with the spices.
For easy clean-up I like to line my baking sheet with foil. Go ahead and lightly coat it with cooking spray to keep the drumsticks from sticking while they bake.
I like to bake them at 425 degrees. The high temperature really helps to crisp the skin. Bake them uncovered on the baking sheet – you don’t have to turn them, just leave them to cook and after about 40 to 45 minutes they’ll be ready!
Chicken legs are a delicious and economical dinner option. However knowing when chicken legs are fully cooked can be tricky. Unlike chicken breasts, legs have more fat, collagen, and bone so they require a higher internal temperature to reach doneness. Here’s a guide to determining when chicken legs are done.
Why Chicken Legs Require a Higher Temperature
Legs of chicken have more bone, fat, and collagen than white breast meat. For the collagen in the legs to turn into gelatin, which makes the meat tender, it needs to be heated for a long time. Some parts of the meat may not get direct heat because of the bones. This means the internal temperature needs to rise to make sure the meat is fully cooked. Finally, fat takes longer to cook than lean meat.
For these reasons, chicken legs usually need to be cooked longer than breasts. At 165°F, chicken breasts are safe to eat, but for the best texture, chicken legs should be at 170°F to 175°F.
How to Tell When Chicken Legs Are Done
There are a few ways to test chicken leg doneness:
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Use an instant-read meat thermometer – Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the leg, taking care not to hit bone. The temperature should read 170-175°F. This is the most accurate way to assess doneness.
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Look for the flesh to turn opaque – The meat should no longer look pink or translucent. Be aware that bone marrow can sometimes cause a pink tinge even when the meat is fully cooked.
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Check to see if the juices are clear. Prick the chicken and see if the juices come out clear. The juices don’t need to be clear, but they also shouldn’t be red. This is an imperfect way to judge doneness.
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Cut into the meat – If no pink color remains and the meat appears firm, not squishy, it should be cooked through. Be cautious with this method, as some pink can remain even when the chicken is safe to eat.
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Poke the meat – If it feels firm with no give, it is likely fully cooked. However, this is a very imprecise method.
What Temperature to Cook Chicken Legs
To ensure chicken legs cook fully without drying out, aim for an internal temperature of 170-175°F. Methods like roasting, grilling, baking, or braising chicken legs to this temperature will dissolve collagen and kill any harmful bacteria.
For food safety, chicken legs must reach a minimum of 165°F internally. However, at just 165°F they won’t be as tender. Shooting for 170-175°F gives you wiggle room in case your thermometer is slightly off or reads the temperature in a cooler spot.
Dark meat can be cooked to 200-205°F for pulled or shredded chicken recipes. Simmering the legs for an extended time at this high temperature makes the meat fall-off-the-bone tender.
So for perfectly cooked chicken legs, always rely on an instant-read thermometer and cook to 170-175°F. This ensures juicy, flavorful meat while killing any pathogens. Trust the thermometer readings rather than visual cues like color. As long as the internal temperature hits the target, your chicken legs are done.
How long does baked chicken last?
Cooked chicken lasts for up to four days in the refrigerator. You can enjoy it warmed up, but the skin won’t be as crispy. Sometimes I just pull the meat off the bone and store it for easy sandwiches and salads for lunch. It’s delicious cold or warmed up!.
How do you know when they’re done?
The best way to tell is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Baked chicken should be cooked to a temperature of at least 165 degrees, but for legs I let them cook longer. Sometimes there are red spots in the meat near the bone and if you cook them a little longer those disappear. The meat will still be really juicy and tender!.
You can also just cut into one and check that it’s cooked all the way through. The meat should be thoroughly cooked to the bone and the juices should run clear. But, seriously, I recommend a thermometer – it just makes life so much easier.
What temperature do I cook chicken thighs to?
FAQ
Is chicken done at 165 or 180?
Chicken is typically cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This temperature ensures that any harmful bacteria like Salmonella are killed, making the chicken safe to eat.
Are drumsticks done at 165?
They take longer to cook than breast meat, about 25 to 30 minutes on the grill. Cook to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F.
What temperature is chicken legs done?
The safe internal temperature for cooked chicken legs, including drumsticks and thighs, is 165°F (74°C).
How to tell if chicken drumsticks are done?
To determine if chicken drumsticks are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part, near the bone. Alternatively, pierce the meat with a fork or knife; .