Name: Crispy Roasted Chicken Legs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 6 chicken legs; 1/2 lemon; 2 Rosemary sprigs; 1 tsp sea salt; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tbsp olive oil

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Crispy roasted chicken legs is an easy recipe with juicy and tender meat and a crispy/caramelized skin. This recipe is low in cost, but highly flavorful and tasty.

When it comes to baking some chicken legs, I always look to have crispy skin, juicy meat, and a flavorful aroma. Crispy chicken legs recipe is always the best option when I want a quick but delicious dinner with only a few ingredients. These roasted besties will always make a complete dinner to be admired. I adore these legs, especially when the skin has that crispy/caramelized taste and the meat inside is so tender and soft. This recipe is one of the most frequently made in my kitchen. There are times when I marinate them in advance and simply bake 25 minutes before serving. But more frequently, I marinate them at the time when I cook them for about 15 minutes.

My daughter doesn’t eat everything I cook, but these crispy baked chicken legs she simply adores. This simple, but so appetizing chicken legs are our whole-family favorite recipe. An effortless dish with the best crust on the outside and succulent meat on the inside.

These easy chicken legs are my go-to recipe when I am out of time or too lazy for a complicated dinner.

Chicken legs ingredients:

6 chicken legs
½ of lemon
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
2 rosemary sprigs

Should I marinate chicken legs?

In many of my articles, I recommend marinating the meat as much as possible. However, the chicken meat does not need a marinating long process to get tender meat. It is okay to marinate chicken legs for 15 minutes to get a slice of delicious, juicy meat. For this recipe, I took 6 chicken legs and tossed them in olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika, and some garlic powder. I marinate these legs for about 20 minutes and then I bake them. There are times when I marinate chicken legs overnight, but usually, I leave the legs to soak in herbs some minutes until the oven is reaching the temperature. Simple and easy.

How long does it take to bake chicken legs?

There isn’t a certain rule on how long to bake the chicken legs. Usually, it takes about 20-25 minutes depending on the legs’ size. When the legs start to turn golden bake 10 minutes more. You can use a meat thermometer to assure your meat is cooked and could be served, the thermometer should register 165°.

How to roast chicken legs?

While you are marinating the chicken legs, preheat the oven at 200° C or 400° F. Let your legs coat all the flavors. Take a baking tray and lay some baking sheet. Arrange chicken legs out in a single layer and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown with nice crispy skin. Serve the poultry immediately next to any garniture.

This is definitely a simple recipe to fish your day on a pleasant and delish note. I adore these crispy/crunchy small chicken legs.

What to serve with chicken legs?

I like this recipe served next to some golden roasted potatoes. This sounds so odd, but so perfect together. I like the golden and soft potatoes next to this juicy chicken legs’ meat.

However, you can serve these best chicken legs next to a tomato salad, broccoli salad, Caprese salad, arugula salad, or any other side dish you like.

What is better to bake chicken legs in glass or metal?

I like to bake chicken legs in a metal baking tray. I like the caramelized way they turn being baked on a baking tray. I have used a glass dish, too, but they as if boil rather cook crispy as the glass dish doesn’t heat up as quickly as metal does. It already depends on how you like to eat chicken legs.

How to store baked chicken legs?

You can either refrigerate or freeze the baked legs. If you store them in your fridge, they will be okay eaten even on the 3rd day if kept in an air container.

Also, you can freeze them in heavy-duty freezer bags, and before serving them thaw and leave overnight in the fridge.

Recipe tips:

Marinate the meat as much as you would like it to have. Avoid lemon juice if you don’t like the acidic taste it gives to your poultry.
Keep in mind to always wash the chicken meat before using it. Set aside on some kitchen paper to absorb all the liquid.
Try to use medium-size chicken legs as they tend to bake quicker and are much tastier.
Always lay parchment paper on the baking tray for an easy clean-up.
Serve the chicken legs immediately next to any side dish you like.

This is one of the easiest and quickest ways to bake the best chicken legs with no mess. These chicken drumsticks are full of fresh lemon flavor nicely mixed with rosemary to instantly melt in your mouth.