Baked Chicken Legs

a pile of baked chicken wings with fresh herbs

5 from 1 vote

Our easy baked chicken legs recipe can be prepped in just 10 minutes and baked to crispy perfection in 35 minutes. The oven baked chicken legs are seasoned with simple pantry staples, making it an effortless meal.

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Total Time45

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked chicken, chicken leg recipe

Servings:

Calories: 235kcal

Author: Julie Clark

Ingredients

2 pounds bone-in chicken legs about 6 legs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon ground thyme

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier clean-up. Place oven-safe wire rack over the foil. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Place chicken legs on baking rack. Use paper towels to brush the chicken legs and absorb any extra moisture. Then brush the chicken with olive oil on all sides. 2 pounds bone-in chicken legs, 2 tablespoons olive oil
In a small bowl, stir together seasonings. Rub onto all sides of chicken legs. 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground thyme
Place in oven bake for 30- 35 minutes. The legs should no longer pink at the bone and the juices should run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but we prefer to cook the chicken to 185-190ºF for it to be fall-off-the-bone tender.

Notes

If you don't have a wire rack, bake the chicken legs directly on the foil (sprayed with cooking spray). Turn the chicken legs after 15 minutes to promote even cooking.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.

The calories shown are based on the recipe making 6 chicken legs, with 1 serving being 1 chicken leg. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **

Nutrition