A quick and simple meal the whole family will enjoy are crispy oven-baked chicken drumsticks. Simple seasoning and baking in the oven will result in perfectly crispy, moist, and tender chicken legs.
Everyone needs great chicken recipes, and one of the simplest and best options for the home cook is baked chicken legs. You can prepare a cheap meal that both children and adults will enjoy in less than an hour with just ten minutes of preparation and some basic seasoning.
♨️Cooking tips to get it perfect every time.
Drumsticks of chicken are cooked, and a lot of the fat and liquid drains. Although you can cook drumsticks without a rack, it will make you happier. Cooking will be quicker, more even, and easier to clean up.
You can if you wish. The skin will be dry and crispy without oil, but it will be thicker and less crispy with a little olive oil or cooking spray.
No, it will interfere with the cooking.
Good refrigerated for 3-4 days. Also, they should freeze fine for 3-4 months. Reheat by thawing first, then reheat in an oven.
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Preheat oven to 425° convection. Pat dry the chicken legs with paper towels.
Trim off any extra skin and any loose joint pieces.
Spice to taste with salt and pepper. Use other seasonings if you wish. Here Im using All Purpose Seasoning – 7:2:1 and 7:2:2.
The thicker portion of the chicken legs should be placed on the outside of the sheet pan. Line the tray with aluminum foil to help clean up. The chicken is raised on a rack so that all of its sides can cook equally. You can cook without the rack but better with it. Obviously, a liberal application of PAM to the rack or foil
Cook to 185°+ internal temp—about 35 minutes. DO NOT STOP SHORT of 185°. But up to 195° is fine.
Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. They are far too hot to eat now, but they’ll taste better later.
How To Make Baked Chicken Legs In The Oven
To help you visualize it, this section demonstrates how to bake chicken legs with step-by-step photos and technical information. See the recipe card below for complete instructions, including amounts and temperatures.
For consistently delicious crispy baked chicken legs, follow these 3 straightforward but crucial tips:
How to make perfect chicken legs (drumsticks)
Baking chicken drumsticks at 425 degrees takes approximately 35 minutes. The size of the chicken leg, the temperature inside the oven, and the preferred internal temperature are the three factors. Im aiming for 185°+ (see next section).
Although 425° convection is the ideal oven temperature for baking chicken legs (drumsticks), other oven temperatures can be used. ALWAYS COOK TO A FINAL INTERNAL TEMPERATURE. PLEASE, NEVER BY TIME ALONE.
Remember, all these numbers vary by your oven, also.
Your chicken legs won’t be as crispy if you use a lower temperature.
FAQ
How long does it take drumsticks to cook in the oven?
The typical cooking time for medium drumsticks in the oven is 40 to 45 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, though if your oven cooks hot or the drumsticks are on the smaller side, they may be done sooner.
What temperature do you cook chicken drumsticks?
How to Check the Internal Temperature of Chicken Legs. The thickest part of the chicken leg should have a meat thermometer inserted. The recommended internal temperature for chicken is 165°F. But 175F is the ideal temperature for flavorful and tender dark meat.
What temperature and how long do you cook drumsticks in the oven?
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees and move the oven rack one level away from the center.
- Bake drumsticks in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Is it better to bake chicken legs at 350 or 400?
Option #1: Preheat the oven to 400 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit before baking the chicken legs. Although the skin won’t be crispy at a lower temperature, such as 350 degrees Fahrenheit, it will still be juicy and delicious.