Description
This Crispy Baked Chicken Legs recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken with a perfectly crispy skin using simple ingredients and an easy baking method. The use of baking powder and poultry seasoning ensures flavorful, golden-brown drumsticks that are ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks, cleaned, with excess fat removed
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon poultry seasoning, or seasoning of choice
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more if desired
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, plus more if desired
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Dry the Chicken: Place a cooling rack over a large baking sheet and layer it with paper towels. Arrange the chicken drumsticks on the wire rack and cover with additional paper towels. Refrigerate for at least two hours or preferably overnight to dry out the skin for extra crispiness. If short on time, pat the chicken legs dry thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Rack: Set the oven to 400 ℉ (204 ℃). Remove the paper towels from the wire rack, then spray the rack with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, poultry seasoning, salt, black pepper, and baking powder. Add the chicken drumsticks and gently toss or use your hands to evenly coat all pieces with the seasoning mixture.
- Bake the Chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken legs on the wire rack spaced apart for even heat circulation. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the drumstick reads 165 ℉ (74 ℃).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Using baking powder helps achieve crispy skin without frying.
- Adjust seasoning to taste if you prefer spicier or more herbaceous flavoring.
- Ensure chicken skin is dry before seasoning for best crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken drumstick (approx. 4 oz)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
