Description
This Crispy Baked Chicken Legs recipe delivers perfectly golden, crunchy skin with tender and juicy meat inside. Utilizing a simple mixture of poultry seasoning, baking powder, and olive oil, these chicken drumsticks are baked to crispy perfection without deep frying. Ideal for a flavorful, healthier dinner option that’s easy to prepare and perfect for meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks, cleaned, with excess fat removed
Seasoning Mix
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning, or seasoning of choice
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more if desired
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, plus more if desired
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Instructions
- Dry the Chicken: Place a cooling rack over a large baking sheet and layer with paper towels. Arrange the chicken drumsticks on top of the wire rack and cover with additional paper towels. Refrigerate for at least two hours or preferably overnight to dry out the skin, which helps it crisp up during baking. If short on time, pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels thoroughly.
- Prepare Oven and Rack: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove and discard the paper towels from the cooling rack. Spray the rack generously with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Season the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, poultry seasoning, salt, black pepper, and baking powder. Add the chicken legs to the bowl and use your hands to gently mix and coat each piece evenly with the seasoning mixture. The baking powder helps create a crispy skin texture.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the seasoned chicken legs back onto the wire rack in a single layer with space between each for even air circulation. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached when measured with a digital meat thermometer in the thickest part of the drumstick.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken legs from the oven and let them rest on the rack for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and flavorful meat.
Notes
- Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- For even crispier skin, refrigerate the drumsticks uncovered on the rack overnight to dry out the skin more.
- Adjust seasoning quantities according to taste preferences, adding more salt or pepper if desired.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking temperature and juiciness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick (about 4 ounces)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
