Crispy baked chicken legs or drumsticks – you’re going to love this easy oven recipe! I love the crispy skin with fried chicken, but honestly, it is a lot more work and mess for me to make it.
This oven baked chicken legs or drumstick recipe is made in a cast iron pan and produces the same delicious crunch you want without frying.
This is home cooking made easy!
Crispy Baked Chicken Legs
I love to roast chicken – see Slow Roasted Chicken Thighs.
This chicken drumstick recipe is a family favorite and I love that legs are a super affordable cut so I can make enough for leftovers!
This recipe is also weeknight friendly as it is fast to prepare and only 30 – 35 minutes cooking time.
How To Bake Chicken Legs in the Oven
This is the easiest way to make crispy chicken legs without fry! The real key is using the cast iron skillet. Yes you can use a glass baking or casserole dish but I think the cast iron helps to crisp up that skin.
How is the oven temperature set to bake chicken?
For crispy baked chicken legs we are going to go for 350° F. I do a slower, lower method for the Slow Roast Thighs.
Why baked chicken legs?
I like to use legs because they are the most budget friendly cut…aka cheap. They also have a ton of flavor and aren’t going to dry out like other cuts, especially boneless like chicken breasts.
How long do you bake chicken legs?
That depends greatly on the cuts, bone-in vs boneless, white vs dark. But for this recipe we are going to bake at 350° F for about 30 – 35 minutes.
What spices are best for baked chicken drumsticks?
I use my special blend of Homemade Seasoning Salt for this recipe. There is really no way to season it wrong, but don’t skip the seasoning! Other spices I love to use are Lemon Pepper, Garlic Powder, Sage, Thyme and Onion Powder. Of course you always want Salt and Pepper.
How to cook frozen chicken drumsticks?
I wouldn’t recommend cooking any chicken until it is fully defrosted.
Can fully cooked chicken have any visible pink inside?
The USDA has said that chicken is fully cooked when all parts of the meat have received a minimum internal temperature of 165°. Use a meat thermometer to make sure you’ve reached the right temp.
So it is possible that there may be some visible pink. You can cook it a bit longer but know that color does not necessarily indicate doneness.
Extra tip for crispy chicken skin:
Pat your chicken skin dry before seasoning it. This will help get a crispier skin during baking.
Crispy Baked Chicken Legs Ingredients:
- 3 pounds of chicken legs (approximately 12)
- 2 heaping Tablespoons Seasoning Salt (I used my homemade blend)
- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
- ¼ cup butter
- Juice of 2 limes
Crispy Baked Chicken Legs Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In cast iron pan, melt butter then add in garlic.
Sautee for 1-2 minutes.
Place chicken legs in hot cast iron pan with butter and garlic.
Brown each side of chicken.
Once chicken is browned, pour lime juice over top of chicken legs.
Sprinkle the seasoning salt oven chicken legs.
Place in preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
Let cool for 5 minutes and serve directly out of cast iron.
Serve these crispy chicken drumsticks with your favorite sides, like corn and mashed potatoes.
Here are a few of our favorites:
More Chicken Recipes
- The Best Chicken Casserole Recipes Quick and Delicious
- Shredded Chicken The Best Recipes You Will Love
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
Crispy Baked Chicken Legs Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Chicken Legs About 12
- 2 heaping tbsp Seasoning Salt (I used my homemade blend)
- 2 tbsp Chopped Garlic
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 2 Limes Juiced
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In cast iron pan, melt butter then add in garlic.
Sautee for 1-2 minutes.
Place chicken legs in hot cast iron pan with butter and garlic.
Brown each side of chicken.
Once chicken is browned, pour lime juice over top of chicken legs.
Sprinkle the seasoning salt oven chicken legs.
Place in preheated oven and bakefor 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165degrees F.
Let cool for 5 minutes and serve directly out of cast iron.
I love love love baked chicken legs. I am going to try this recipe for dinner this week. Thank you!
Wonderful! Don’t forget to try the homemade seasoning salt!
Do you cover the cast iron when placing in the oven?
No, I do not.