Name: Crispy Baked Chicken Legs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 h
Total time: 50 h 10 min
Yield: 12 Drumsticks
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 large chicken legs; 1.5 tablespoons baking powder; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon paprika

Perfectly seasoned baked chicken leg drumsticks with crispy skin on the outside that's fall-off-the-bone tender inside!

JUMP TO RECIPE

Chicken leg drumsticks are something I cook a LOT. I started cooking them when the kids were little because A) they were inexpensive and B) kids love drumsticks! At least my kids did (and still do now that they're older).

I love that I can throw them in the oven then move on to other cool things like unloading the dishwasher and folding laundry (or helping with homework, paying bills, checking work email, etc.).

On busy nights, I usually just whip out a box of Uncle Ben's wild rice and can of green beans but these can also transition to a Sunday dinner with the addition of potato salad, cornbread or biscuits, baked beans and whichever green vegetable looked good when I was at the grocery store.

Crispy Baked Chicken Legs! Perfectly seasoned baked chicken leg drumsticks with crispy skin on the outside that's fall-off-the-bone tender inside!

6 FAQ ON CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN LEGS

1. Why add baking powder? The short answer is science. The baking powder significantly increases the pH in the skin which dehydrates it, allowing it to turn crispy.

2. Can this recipe be used with thighs or wings? Heck yes! Thighs will cook the same as the recipe. For wings, start the flats first then add the drumettes 5 minutes later (the extra fat on the flats will need the full cooking time but the less insulated drumettes won't need to cook the full 45 minutes).

3. Can I bake these on a baking rack? You sure can but I love the way the chicken browns on the bottom of the pan (it kinda fries in the rendered fat).

4. Can I use a seasoning blend instead of the spices in the recipe? Absolutely BUT ONLY IF there is no sugar in the ingredients. Most dry rubs have sugar so make sure whatever you're using doesn't. Sugar will burn at this temperature when cooked this long.

5. Do I have to pour off the liquid in Step 5? Yes and no. Yes, if you want CRISPY baked chicken. If you don't care about the crispiness, then no (and if that's the case then omit the baking powder).

6. Can I baste the chicken with BBQ or wing sauce? Yes, ma'am! Once done, baste then return to the oven 5 minutes.

A FEW RECIPE NOTES

Use baking POWDER, not baking SODA.
Use aluminum-free baking powder (almost all baking powder is aluminum free but check to make sure to avoid any odd tastes).
Make sure your baking powder is fresh (see FAQ above to see how to test it).
A dozen large chicken legs weighs about 5 pounds.
Any bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces can be used with this recipe.
Boneless or skinless chicken will definitely overcook with this recipe.
1.5 tablespoons is 4.5 teaspoons (for the baking powder).

PRO TIP: HOW TO TELL IF BAKING POWDER IS FRESH

Without stirring, add a teaspoon of baking powder into a cup of HOT tap water. If it's fresh, the baking powder will fizz as it sinks into the water. Don't look for Alka-Seltzer level fizzing, just look for some obvious effervescence, especially around the edges of the little "cake" of baking powder sitting on top of the water.

STOVE-TOP SIDES TO MAKE WITH CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN LEGS

EASY CHEESY PARMESAN ORZO - A simple side dish recipe with orzo pasta cooked in a parmesan cream sauce that comes together in minutes and cooks perfectly every time.

POLISH NOODLES - A simple homemade side dish recipe with egg noodles, sauteed onions and a simple sour cream sauce very much like the old Noodles Romanoff box mix.

GARLIC BUTTER MUSHROOM RICE - Mushrooms sautéed with garlic and butter cooked with rice on the stovetop in a savory, beefy stock for a quick and easy side dish.

COUNTRY-STYLE BABY LIMA BEANS - A no-fail recipe for tender baby lima beans (butterbeans) cooked low and slow with bacon the Southern way.

WALK-AWAY NOODLES - Throw everything in the pot and walk away for perfectly cooked, savory, saucy hot buttered noodles that are the perfect side dish recipe for any meal!

BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH BACON - A simple recipe for fresh Brussels Sprouts sauteed with smokey bacon that is easy to prepare and cooks perfectly every time.

Recipe for Crispy Baked Chicken Legs