Description
This Crispy Baked Chicken Legs recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken drumsticks with an irresistibly crispy skin achieved through a simple mix of poultry seasoning, baking powder, and olive oil. Baking the chicken on a wire rack ensures even cooking and crispiness without frying, making it a healthier yet flavorful option for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks, cleaned, with excess fat removed
Seasoning Mix
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning (or seasoning of choice)
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more if desired
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, plus more if desired
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Instructions
- Dry the Chicken: Place a cooling rack over a large baking sheet and layer it with paper towels. Arrange the chicken drumsticks on top of the wire rack and tent with more paper towels. Transfer to the refrigerator for at least two hours, ideally overnight, to dry the skin for optimal crispiness. If short on time, pat the chicken legs dry thoroughly with paper towels instead.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Rack: Preheat your oven to 400 ℉ (204 ℃). Discard the paper towels from the cooling rack and spray the rack with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Seasoning and Coat Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, poultry seasoning, salt, black pepper, and baking powder. Add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl and gently toss them using your hands to ensure even coating of the seasoning mix.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the coated chicken legs spaced evenly on the prepared wire rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 165 ℉ (74 ℃) is reached when measured with a digital meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the drumstick.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before serving, ensuring moist and flavorful meat.
Notes
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Using baking powder is key to achieving extra crispy skin without frying.
- Ensure thorough drying of chicken skin before baking for best crispiness results.
- Adjust seasoning amounts to taste if you prefer a saltier or spicier flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick (approx. 4 oz)
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
