No complicated cooking techniques or marinades are needed for these easy, no-fuss Crispy Baked Chicken Legs, which are a budget-friendly family dinner idea perfect for feeding your crew any night of the week. A simple, quick recipe yields flavorful, juicy chicken legs with crispy, golden-brown skin every time.
Best oven temperature to bake chicken legs
I advise baking chicken legs at 400 degrees because it gives the chicken’s exterior a crispier skin.
The inside of the chicken will still be juicy at 400 degrees. Just make certain to turn the chicken over halfway through baking.
⏰How long to bake chicken legs (drumsticks)
For chicken legs to reach an internal temperature of 185° in the oven, it takes roughly 35 minutes at 425°. The variables: the chicken leg size and the oven temperature.
Chicken legs at 350°F convection or 375°F conventional – about 45-50 minutes
Chicken legs at 375°F convection or 400°F conventional – about 40-45 minutes
Chicken legs at 400°F convection or 425°F conventional – about 35-40 minutes
Chicken legs at 425°F convection – about 35 minutes (I dont suggest 450°F conventional, do 425°F conventional and add a few minutes)
Your chicken legs won’t be as crispy if you use a lower temperature.
Always use an instant-read thermometer. COOK TO A FINAL INTERNAL TEMPERATURE. PLEASE, NEVER BY TIME ALONE.
Chicken legs (chicken drumsticks)-Skin-on bone-in chicken legs. Pat dry with paper towels and trim.
Seasoning-we always use All Purpose Seasoning – 7:2:1 and 7:2:2, which is salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. But use the seasoning you love. Even marinade is fine. If using BBQ sauce, skip other seasoning and brush on near the end of cooking.
Oil is optional and if used, brush on before seasoning. It will change the final texture of the skin from thin and crispy to a little thicker but moister.
Pro Tips:
DO NOT SKIP THE PAT DRY, or you will not have crispy skin.
Check the cut joint area for loose parts—you may be handing this to a child.
Cooking on a rack to get the meat off the pan, and with convection, all sides of the chicken legs will be cooked evenly. If no rack, then flip at 20 minutes.
Cook at high temp and you must use a thermometer to be sure you get to 185°+. Do not guess.
Spice as you want.
Scale to any amount you need
Skip the seasoning and brush with your favorite BBQ sauce for the last 5 minutes to make great oven-baked BBQ chicken legs.
Good refrigerated for 3-4 days. Or will freeze well for 3-4 months.
How long does it take to cook drumsticks in the oven at 375?
