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Handheld photo of golden brown Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Legs on a ceramic plate. (Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Legs)

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Legs: The Ultimate Golden-Brown Drumstick Recipe

Achieve restaurant-quality Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Legs with this expert recipe. Featuring a secret ingredient for maximum crunch, these golden-brown drumsticks are seasoned with herbs and cracked pepper for the perfect family-friendly dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Recipe Ingredients
  • 8-10 pieces Chicken Drumsticks Skin-on, approximately 2.5 lbs (1.1kg)
  • 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil Or avocado oil (30ml)
  • 1 tbsp Baking Powder Aluminum-free (15g)
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt Fine grain (6g)
  • 1 tsp Cracked Black Pepper Coarse grind (2g)
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano 1g
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme 1g
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika 1.5g

Equipment

  • 1 Rimmed Baking Sheet Large enough to fit all legs without crowding.
  • 1 Wire Cooling Rack To allow for 360-degree air circulation.
  • 1 Instant-read meat thermometer Essential for checking internal temperature.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the chicken drumsticks extremely dry using paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the baking powder, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and paprika.
Coating
  1. Toss the drumsticks in a bowl with olive oil until every piece is glistening.
  2. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the chicken and toss until evenly coated with herb flakes and spices.
Baking
  1. Place drumsticks on a wire rack over a baking sheet, ensuring space between each leg.
  2. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 40-45 minutes until deep golden-brown with visible charred spots.
  3. Let rest for 5 minutes on the rack before serving to keep the meat moist.

Notes

Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid a metallic taste.
Ensure the chicken is at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking for even cooking.