Description
These oven baked chicken legs are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making them a delicious and easy dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2.5 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Place a wire rack on top if available.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- In a large bowl, toss the drumsticks with olive oil, then sprinkle in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, and chili powder. Toss until evenly coated.
- Place the drumsticks on the wire rack or directly on the baking sheet, spacing them apart.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Drying the chicken thoroughly helps the skin crisp up better in the oven.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness without overcooking.
- Serve with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 drumsticks
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 140mg