You guys know how I love easy dinner staples, right? Baked Chicken Drumsticks are exactly that—an easy, no-brainer main dish recipe that I can make with barely any planning or effort. Just coat the chicken with your favorite seasoning, toss them in the oven, and then focus on your side dishes or whatever else you have going on in your life while the drumsticks cook themselves. They’re easy, tasty, and the perfect “emergency” meal for when you don’t want to have to think about, “what’s for dinner?”.
Chicken legs are a cheap and tasty cut of meat that are great for quick dinners during the week. It’s possible for chicken legs to fall off the bone when baked in the oven. The skin on the outside gets crispy and golden brown. But the chicken legs need to be baked at just the right temperature to get the right balance of moist inside and crispy outside.
So what is the ideal temperature for baked chicken legs? After consulting professional chefs and testing out different oven temperatures myself, the consensus is that 400°F is the best temperature for baking chicken legs
Here’s why 400°F hits the baking temperature sweet spot:
Why 400°F is the Best Oven Temperature
Thoroughly Cooks the Meat
At 400°F, the heat efficiently penetrates the chicken leg from the surface all the way to the bone This prevents raw or undercooked spots, especially around the joint According to food safety experts, chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to eradicate any harmful bacteria. The 400°F oven temperature ensures the chicken legs cook through fully.
Crisps the Skin
The moderately high heat also renders the fat under the skin, allowing it to get crispy and browned. If the oven temp is too low, the chicken skin will turn out flabby and limp. But at 400°F, the skin transforms into a browned, crispy, and flavorful crust.
Prevents Drying Out
When baking chicken legs, getting crispy skin is important, but keeping the meat juicy and moist is just as important. It doesn’t take long for the legs to dry out in the oven at 400°F because the chicken bakes pretty quickly.
How Long to Bake Chicken Legs at 400°F
We know that 400°F is the best temperature for the chicken legs. How long should they bake? The baking time depends on the size and number of chicken legs, but in general, they need 40 to 50 minutes at 400°F to be fully cooked.
I recommend checking the internal temperature after 40 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to test the thickest part of the legs, but avoid touching the bone. When the thermometer reads 165°F, the chicken legs are fully cooked and safe to eat.
If they haven’t quite reached 165°F internal temperature after 40 minutes, return them to the oven for 5-10 more minutes until fully cooked. For extra-large chicken legs, tack on even more baking time as needed. And if the chicken legs are on the smaller side, start checking even earlier than 40 minutes.
The visual cues that indicate doneness are browned, crispy skin and meat that is opaque all the way through. Carefully cut into one of the legs to check that the meat is fully cooked with no traces of pink and the juices run clear.
How to Bake Chicken Legs Perfectly Every Time
Follow these simple steps for foolproof baked chicken legs with crispy skin and juicy meat:
1. Pat the Chicken Legs Dry
Make sure to pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels before you season or bake them. If the skin has too much water on it, it will steam instead of crisp up.
2. Generously Season the Chicken Legs
For maximum flavor, coat the chicken legs all over with a generous sprinkle of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, oregano, or any other seasonings you love.
3. Preheat the Oven to 400°F
Always preheat the oven fully before baking chicken legs. Preheating allows the oven to reach the proper temperature rather than trying to play catch-up.
4. Arrange on a Lined Baking Sheet
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. You can also place the legs on a wire rack set on the baking sheet to maximize airflow and crispiness.
5. Bake for 40-50 Minutes
Pop the seasoned chicken legs in the preheated 400°F oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes until cooked through and crisp.
6. Check Internal Temperature
Test the internal temperature using an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F.
And that’s all there is to it! Follow this simple baking method for irresistibly juicy, tender chicken legs with crispy bronzed skin every time. Enjoy your perfectly baked chicken legs alongside roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread, or your other favorite side dishes.
Common Baking Questions Answered
If you’re new to baking chicken legs, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Should I flip the chicken legs while baking?
Flipping isn’t necessary. As long as they’re evenly spaced out on the baking sheet, the heat will circulate properly and cook them through.
Can I bake frozen chicken legs?
You can bake frozen chicken legs, but increase the baking time. And thaw them in the fridge first for best results.
What about marinating?
Absolutely! Marinating adds lots of flavor. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. Discard marinade before baking.
How do I get the skin extra crispy?
Pat legs super dry, use a high smoke point oil, and elevate legs on a rack. Broil at end if needed.
What if they burn on the outside before cooking through?
Lower oven 25°F and continue baking until done. Tent with foil to prevent further browning.
How should I store leftovers?
Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
What sides go well with baked chicken legs?
Some delicious pairings are roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, rice, salad, or cornbread.
The Takeaway on Baking Chicken Legs
For baked chicken legs with perfectly browned, crispy skin and moist, flavorful meat, an oven temperature of 400°F is just right. Bake for 40-50 minutes, then test for doneness with a meat thermometer to ensure they reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Use these simple baking tips and guidelines to enjoy tender, juicy chicken legs with crispy skin every time! This straightforward method lets the flavor of the seasoning shine through while delivering ideal texture. Get ready to make baked chicken legs a regular mealtime staple.
Can I Use Chicken Breasts in this Recipe?
Dark meat chicken, like drumsticks and thighs, is very forgiving, especially when cooked with the bone-in and skin on. The skin helps hold in moisture, and the higher fat content of the meat helps it stay tender and juicy. Chicken breast needs a slightly different technique because it’s a leaner cut of meat. I only recommend swapping the drumsticks for bone-in, skin-on thighs when using the method in this recipe.
For a bone-in, skin-on chicken breast I suggest using the method in my herb roasted chicken breast. Boneless skinless chicken breast should be cooked using the method in my baked chicken breasts recipe.
Other Seasoning Ideas for Baked Chicken Drumsticks
For this recipe for chicken drumsticks, I used a classic mix of smoked paprika, garlic, onion, and oregano. But you can use any seasoning mix you like. There is so much flexibility! Here are a few ideas for seasoning your oven-baked chicken drumsticks:
- Ranch seasoning
- Lemon pepper
- Garlic Herb seasoning
- BBQ (follow the recipe below and use the dry seasonings. In the last 15 minutes of baking, brush the meat with BBQ sauce).
- Teriyaki
- Jerk seasoning
- Taco seasoning
Want some sauce for dipping? Try these delicious sauces with your chicken drumsticks:
- Use a meat thermometer. I always check my chicken with a meat thermometer to make sure it’s fully cooked. Once at least 165°F is reached in the thickest part of the chicken, it is fully cooked and safe to eat. Drumsticks, on the other hand, should be cooked until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F for the best tenderness.
- Flip them halfway through. Always flip my drumsticks over halfway through baking to get even cooking and crispy skin. It helps all sides to get golden brown and delicious!.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking tray. There should be space between each drumstick so that they cook evenly and the skin gets crispy. Do not use a small tray; instead, use two trays or bake in groups.
- Double up on the seasoning mix. Here is a list of seasonings that you might want to use. If you do, make two batches! Some of our readers have said that this mix tastes great on potatoes. I think it would taste great on other roasted vegetables too.
How to make the BEST Baked Chicken Legs! – Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
FAQ
Is it better to bake chicken legs at 350 or 400?
Most people think that baking chicken legs at 400°F (204°C) is better than 350°F (177°C) because the skin gets crispier and the meat stays juicy.
How long do you cook drumsticks in the oven at 425 degrees?
At 425°F, chicken drumsticks need about 35-45 minutes to cook. After 25 minutes, turn the drumsticks over and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes, making sure all sides are cooked the same. The exact time will always depend on the size of the drumsticks. Always judge doneness by the largest piece.
Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?
Do you bake drumsticks covered or uncovered?
Chicken drumsticks are typically baked uncovered to achieve crispy skin.