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Baked Chicken Legs - one of the best baked chicken legs recipe ever, with honey, lemon pepper seasoning and liquid smoke. Easy recipe with crispy skin chicken drumsticks perfect for tonight's dinner.
Baked Chicken Legs Recipes
I have many recipes of oven baked chicken drumsticks; they are my favorite chicken recipes. Today, I am sharing this crazy easy recipe of baked chicken legs with you.
All you need are 5 pantry ingredients that you already have at home. What’s more, there is no marinade time, just mix and bake!
These chicken drumsticks are absolutely moist, juicy, delicious with crispy skin and BBQ flavors, thanks to the secret ingredient of Hickory Liquid Smoke.
How To Bake Chicken Legs
To bake this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken drumsticks/legs
- Honey
- Lemon pepper seasonings
- Cayenne pepper
- Liquid smoke
- Salt
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
These simple ingredients guarantee mouthwatering results. The liquid smoke adds the BBQ flavors to the chicken, making them BBQ restaurants quality.
How Long To Bake Chicken Legs
For the best chicken drumsticks in oven, bake at 400°F or 204°C for 30-35 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken legs.
You want moist and juicy meat, and not dry and rubbery. DO NOT OVER BAKE.
To make sure that the meat is completely cooked through, use a meat thermometer and insert into the deepest part of the chicken leg closed to the bone. The internal temperature should be 165°F (75°C).
Cooking Tips
- Use your favorite bottled lemon pepper seasoning.
- Buy organic chicken drumsticks which are smaller in size. Bake longer if the size is bigger.
- Bake the chicken legs for 15 minutes, then turn over and bake for another 15-20 minutes. To have crispy skin, broil for 1 minute or until the skin crisps up.
Frequently Asked Questions
You sure can. Just bake for an extra 10 minutes if you use a lower temperature.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
Yes, you can. Just cut up the leg quarters and separate the legs and thighs. Follow the easy recipe and you will have the same results.
This recipe is only 291 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Baked Chicken Legs
Serve this dish with side dishes, rice or pasta. For a healthy meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
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Baked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. (900g) chicken legs (chicken drumsticks)
- 2-1/4 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon bottled lemon pepper seasoning
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon Hickory Liquid Smoke
- pinch of salt
- parsley leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (207°C).
- In a big bowl, add the chicken legs, honey, lemon pepper seasoning, cayenne pepper, liquid smoke and salt together. Stir to mix well.
- Arrange the chicken legs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Scoop the marinade on the chicken legs.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, then turn over to the other side and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the chicken meat is just cooked through. Broil for 1 minute or until the skin turns golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish the baked chicken legs with chopped parsley, serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. This chicken is so good and easy to put together. Will be making again husband loved it.
Hi Cathy, thanks for your wonderful comment and 5 stars rating. I am so glad you enjoyed my recipe. Please try more recipes on my site: https://rasamalaysia.com/recipes/
By bottled seasoning, does that mean the dry lemon pepper or the bottled marinade?
The lemon pepper is bottled.
My first time to make your chicken leg recipe , it was really good. 2 of my daughters keep asking for more. thank you for the easy and yummy recipe.
Thanks.
What can I use instead of lemon pepper?
You can use any seasonings you like.
This is probably a stupid question but if I have more than 2lbs of drumsticks (a little over 3lbs) do I just increase all the ingredients or just use the suggested measurements in your recipe for 2lbs?
Increase the ingredients. :)
Hi,
If I don’t have hickory liquid smoke, what can I substitute with?
Hi Katy, you can skip it.
For this recipe can I use the whole leg with the thigh as well ?
Yes, but you might need to bake longer to make sure they are cooked through.
What goes well with the chicken legs having a charity event at my job we’re all trying to rise money for heart awareness.
Please check my post, I recommended 4 recipes to pair with the chicken legs. It’s under Pairs Well with…
very good
Thanks!