Everyone needs a baked chicken legs recipe to turn to, and this one is mine. Nope, it’s not fancy if that’s what you’re looking for. It’s just simple, flavorful, and crispy chicken you make when you want an easy, healthy dinner.
Clearly I’m not the only one that has those days I need this, because this has become my most popular chicken recipe here on Wholesome Yum since I published it years ago. And after all this time, this method for how to cook chicken legs in the oven is still the one I use most often for them. Your turn!
We’re baking these chicken legs at 425 degrees. If our oven isn’t good and hot, the chicken skin won’t get crispy and no one wants rubbery chicken skin! The meat should reach 165 degrees in about 45 minutes and then your chicken legs are ready to devour!
More Easy Chicken Leg Recipes
Looking for more chicken leg recipes? Here are some of my other favorite ways to cook them:
- Instant Read Thermometer – The best way to tell when chicken drumsticks are done is to use a thermometer, and this is the one I like. Reminder, cook them to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F to get juicy!
- Baking Sheet with Cooling Rack – I’ve tried this recipe on a regular ol’ baking sheet, and you can do that if that’s all you have. But the best baked chicken legs I’ve made have always been on my trusty rack over a baking sheet. This allows the hot air to circulate around the chicken, so it cooks more evenly and crisps up better. (And I rely on it for many other foods, like bacon in the oven, lemon pepper wings, coconut shrimp, and spatchcock chicken, so it gets put to good use!)
- Silicone Brush – I use this for brushing on butter or oil. It’s my fave because it washes out easily.
Recipe Card
How Long To Bake Chicken Legs?
For average sized drumsticks, bake chicken legs for 35-45 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact time will vary a bit, due to varying oven temperatures as well as drumstick size, so see my tips above to ensure they turn out just right.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The skin does get soft when you store it, but you can crisp it up again if you reheat correctly.
- Reheat: For crispy skin and a juicy inside, I highly recommend reheating chicken legs in the oven again, but this time at 350 degrees F. If the skin is still not crisp, you can place under the broiler for a minute or two. The microwave works in a pinch, but the skin will be soft.
- Freeze: You can freeze raw chicken for up to 9-12 months. Already baked chicken legs taste best if you freeze for no more than 3-4 months. I like to lay them on a parchment lined sheet pan in a single layer and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip lock bag for compact storage. This method prevents them from sticking together. For best results, thaw the chicken before you reheat.
TIP: You can brush with butter and season the chicken legs before freezing them raw.
That way there is virtually no prep before baking later, and this actually makes them even more juicy. Try it and let me know what you think!
There isn’t much that doesn’t go with baked chicken legs. Here are some of my fave sides to go with them:
How long does it take chicken to bake at 425?
FAQ
How long to cook chicken at 425 in the oven?
Is it better to bake drumsticks at 350 or 400?
Is it better to cook chicken at 400 or 425?
How long to cook drumsticks at 400?
How long does it take to cook drumsticks?
It involves cooking the drumsticks at a higher temperature (around 425°F/220°C) for a shorter time. This technique results in crispy skin and juicy, succulent meat. The cooking time for roasted drumsticks is approximately 25-30 minutes for boneless drumsticks and 40-45 minutes for bone-in drumsticks.
How long to bake chicken drumsticks?
For juicy, flavorful chicken with golden skin, it is best to bake chicken drumsticks at 400°F. At this high temperature, the chicken will be done in about 30 minutes. This recipe opts for an all-purpose seasoning blend, but there are countless other ways to add flavor to chicken drumsticks. Here are a few of our favorites.
What temperature should chicken drumsticks be cooked at?
If the temperature reads 165°F (74°C), the chicken is done. Another mistake people make is cooking the chicken at too high of a temperature. This can cause the chicken to cook too quickly, resulting in dry and overcooked meat. We recommend cooking chicken drumsticks at 400°F (204°C) for 35-45 minutes.
How long do you cook frozen drumsticks?
Place the frozen drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Ensure that the drumsticks are evenly spaced for even cooking. Bake the drumsticks for approximately 45 minutes. After the initial 45 minutes, flip the drumsticks with tongs to ensure even browning and cooking.