I assembled The Best Baked Chicken Legs Ever using a blend of garlic, smoked paprika, and herbs to elevate simple chicken drumsticks to a scrumptious treat. I cherish the moment when vibrant flavors mingle, sparking lively conversations and shared smiles at the dinner table among friends and family. Pure perfection.
I’ve been working on perfecting recipes in my kitchen and this one for Best Damn Oven Baked Chicken Legs really stood out. I grabbed 8 chicken legs, about 2 lbs total, and marinated them in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
Then I added a little kick with 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper along with dried thyme and oregano to bring a nice depth to the flavor. When I preheated my oven and let the chicken roast, the smell had me hooked from the start.
There’s something so satisfying about oven chicken legs baked to perfection that truly deliver on taste and juiciness. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you won’t believe how easy it is to achieve tender and delicious drumsticks.
Enjoy experimenting with these flavors in your own kitchen!
Why I Like this Recipe
1. I love that this recipe is super easy to follow. I mean, I can just toss all those seasonings on my chicken legs and it comes out amazingly juicy and flavorful every time.
2. I really like how the combination of garlic, smoked paprika, and herbs gives it a tasty kick, but you can always chill out on the cayenne if you want it less spicy.
3. I appreciate that the chicken comes out really tender and that resting it at the end helps lock in all the flavors—it just makes every bite so satisfying.
4. Lastly, I enjoy making this recipe because even though it’s simple, it always impresses my friends when I share it with them, and I get that secret little proud moment knowing I nailed it.
Ingredients
- Chicken legs are protein rich and provide essential nutrients and iron.
- Olive oil is full of healthy fats that keep the chicken tender and moist.
- Garlic powder adds a strong, savory aroma and boosts flavor in a real tasty way.
- Onion powder gives a mild sweetness and extra depth to the overall flavors.
- Smoked paprika offers a rich smoky taste and vibrant color that really stands out.
- Dried thyme and oregano add fresh earthy notes to the dish wonderfully.
- Cayenne pepper is optional but gives a nice little spicy kick if you want heat.
- Salt and black pepper heighten the flavors without overwhelming the taste.
- Overall, each element plays its part in making the dish unforgettable.
Ingredient Quantities
- 8 chicken legs (drumsticks), about 2 lbs total
- 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 dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for a little kick)
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F while you gather all your ingredients.
2. In a large bowl, pour in 2 tablespoons olive oil and then add 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 dried oregano, and if you want a little kick, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
3. Pat dry your 8 chicken legs (about 2 lbs total) using some paper towels so the seasoning sticks better.
4. Toss the chicken legs in the bowl with your seasoning mix making sure every piece is well coated.
5. Place the seasoned chicken legs on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper, making sure they’re not too crowded.
6. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes.
7. After 20 minutes, flip the chicken legs over so they cook evenly, and then return them to the oven.
8. Bake for another 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
9. Once the chicken is done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes so the juices settle.
10. Enjoy your Best Damn Oven Baked Chicken Legs with your preferred sides and share with friends if you like, but save me a piece!
Equipment Needed
1. Preheated oven
2. Large mixing bowl
3. Measuring spoons
4. Paper towels
5. Baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper
6. Tongs or spatula for flipping the chicken
7. Meat thermometer
8. Timer or clock to track cooking times
FAQ
Best Damn Oven Baked Chicken Legs Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Olive oil can be substituted with melted butter or even a neutral vegetable oil if you’re in a pinch
- If you dont have garlic powder, try using 2 minced garlic cloves – it gives a fresher kick
- For onion powder, you could use a small, finely chopped onion or a tablespoon of dried onion flakes
- No smoked paprika available? Use regular sweet paprika instead, although the smoky flavor will be a bit lighter
- Dried oregano can be swapped with dried basil since its a close match flavorwise, just adjust a bit to taste
Pro Tips
1. Always make sure you pat the chicken dry really well before seasoning. It helps the skin get super crispy and keeps the flavors locked in.
2. If you got time, try letting the chicken sit with the seasoning in the fridge for a few hours. A little marination can really boost the flavor, even though it’s not in the original plan.
3. Don’t even think about crowding the pan – leave plenty of room so the heat can do its job properly. Too many pieces close together can cause the meat to steam instead of roast, and then the skin won’t get as crisp.
4. Use a meat thermometer if you got one. Ovens run all over the place, so checking for that 165°F can save you from undercooked or overcooked chicken.
Best Damn Oven Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
I assembled The Best Baked Chicken Legs Ever using a blend of garlic, smoked paprika, and herbs to elevate simple chicken drumsticks to a scrumptious treat. I cherish the moment when vibrant flavors mingle, sparking lively conversations and shared smiles at the dinner table among friends and family. Pure perfection.
8
servings
210
kcal
Equipment: 1. Preheated oven
2. Large mixing bowl
3. Measuring spoons
4. Paper towels
5. Baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper
6. Tongs or spatula for flipping the chicken
7. Meat thermometer
8. Timer or clock to track cooking times
Ingredients
-
8 chicken legs (drumsticks), about 2 lbs total
-
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 dried oregano
-
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for a little kick)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F while you gather all your ingredients.
- In a large bowl, pour in 2 tablespoons olive oil and then add 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 dried oregano, and if you want a little kick, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Pat dry your 8 chicken legs (about 2 lbs total) using some paper towels so the seasoning sticks better.
- Toss the chicken legs in the bowl with your seasoning mix making sure every piece is well coated.
- Place the seasoned chicken legs on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper, making sure they’re not too crowded.
- Slide the tray into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, flip the chicken legs over so they cook evenly, and then return them to the oven.
- Bake for another 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Once the chicken is done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes so the juices settle.
- Enjoy your Best Damn Oven Baked Chicken Legs with your preferred sides and share with friends if you like, but save me a piece!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 150g
- Total number of serves: 8
- Calories: 210kcal
- Fat: 13.5g
- Saturated Fat: 3.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 3.3g
- Monounsaturated: 6.8g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sodium: 360mg
- Potassium: 250mg
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 15g
- Vitamin A: 60IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 15mg
- Iron: 1mg
