Crispy Chicken Legs

Crispy Chicken Legs are a simple and delicious meal for the whole family. They are seasoned with basic spices and roasted until the skin is perfectly golden. This recipe is very affordable and requires very little preparation time. Serve them with potatoes or a fresh salad for a complete dinner.
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Photo of the finished dish for the recipe Crispy Chicken Legs

Benefits of making crispy chicken legs

These Crispy Chicken Legs are popular because they require very few ingredients from the cupboard. The high heat in the oven ensures the skin becomes crunchy while the meat stays juicy. It is a reliable way to cook chicken that everyone enjoys. You can easily adjust the spices to suit your own taste.

How to make crispy chicken legs

Step 1
Prepare the oven: Preheat your oven to 200C and line a baking tray with baking paper. This ensures the chicken does not stick and makes cleaning up much easier. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with kitchen paper to remove any excess moisture. Getting the skin dry is the most important step for making Crispy Chicken Legs.
Step 2
Season the chicken: Place the drumsticks in a large bowl and pour over the oil. Add the salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder to the bowl. Toss everything together until the spices are evenly spread across each piece. Make sure every part of the skin is coated for the best flavour.
Step 3
Roast in the oven: Arrange the seasoned chicken on the prepared baking tray in a single layer. Leave a bit of space between each leg so the hot air can circulate freely. Bake them in the middle of the oven for about forty-five minutes. You can turn them halfway through if you want them extra even.
Step 4
Check and serve: Check that the meat is cooked through and the juices run clear. The skin should look dark gold and feel firm to the touch. Remove the tray from the oven and let the meat rest for a few minutes. Serve your Crispy Chicken Legs while they are still hot and crunchy.

Good advice for crispy chicken legs

Always make sure the chicken is at room temperature before you start cooking. This helps the meat cook more evenly all the way to the bone. If the skin is still wet, the steam will prevent it from becoming crunchy. You can use a wire rack on top of your baking tray to let the air reach the bottom of the Crispy Chicken Legs.

Using a bit of cornflour in the spice mix can also help absorb extra moisture. Do not crowd the tray as this will cause the meat to steam rather than roast. If you have any leftovers, they can be reheated in a hot oven to bring back the crispiness.

You may also like vegetable gratin, gooseberry compote or salmon with pointed cabbage salad.

Ingredients

servings
Adjust quantity
  • 8 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Cooking time

Kitchen tools

Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:1464 kJ / 350 kcal
  • Fat:22 g
  • - of which saturates:6 g
  • Carbohydrates:1 g
  • - of which sugars:0 g
  • Protein:35 g
  • Fibre:0 g
  • Salt:1.5 g

People also ask

Crispy Chicken Legs usually takes about 45 minutes to make. The time can vary slightly with the quantity and method. Check the texture towards the end.
Follow the stated timings and temperatures. Stir or turn it only when the method calls for it.
Do not leave it over the heat for too long. Check the texture near the end and adjust the time if needed.
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4.7 / 5 - (10 ratings)