How To Cook Chicken Legs In The Oven

Selection of the appropriate chicken leg pieces is not as difficult as you think. When you choose the right one, your cooking turns out to be delightful. It is because the freshness and texture of the chicken play a vital role in the matter. On the other hand, failing to pick the right leg piece may result in dissatisfaction with flavors.

So, here are a few things to consider that help you choose the right chicken legs:

Freshness

The first to consider is the freshness of the chicken. A fresh chicken leg will have a light or somewhat a bit dark pink color. Avoid the chicken with a gray, place, or too yellowish color. This shows the older chicken which is about to spoil. 

Besides that, check the smell. A fresh chicken should not have any bad odor except its normal fleshy smell. Also, check the texture of the chicken. The texture should be plump, flesh bounce back when touched, and firm but not slimy or stretchy. 

Size

The second thing that influences the cooking is the size of the chicken legs. It's best to choose the chicken leg with even sizes. It is because if one is smaller and the other is bigger, this might lead to uneven cooking in the stipulated time.

As a result, you will have to spend a few more minutes cooking the other one, causing more hassles. 

Packaging 

Another thing to consider is the expiry date on the packaging. Choose the chicken with the latest packaged date because fresh chicken holds more intense flavors than the older ones. 

Frozen or fresh

We'd recommend you go with the fresh one rather than the frozen one. It is because the fresh one gives deep flavors when cooked. One thing to make sure is fresh chicken should only be bought if you plan to cook them immediately after purchasing. 

Whereas, if you don't plan to cook right after purchasing, you can go with a frozen one. But make sure the frozen chicken is free from ice crystals or any liquid inside the package. This might indicate improper storing and may lead to spoilage of meat flavors when cooked. 

Bone-in or boneless

It's best to buy bone-in chicken legs because of the more intense flavors when cooked. The bone in the legs holds moisture helping the dish more flavorful. Whereas, boneless will have less intensity of flavors comparatively.

The rest is up to you and can choose the kind of chicken legs that suit the purpose of baking it.

Chicken legs

Based on the purpose of baking, you can choose the chicken legs. If you prefer to have more intense flavors, go with bone-in chicken legs. If you like eating chicken boneless due to its convenience, you can pick the boneless ones. whichever you choose, make sure you pick the fresh one with a pinkish color. 

Olive oil or melted butter

You can use either olive or melted butter based on your preference. Both of these will help to soften the chicken legs and make the meat more tender when cooked. If you don't have any of these, you can go with any vegetable oil that is accessible to you. 

Salt and pepper

One of the ingredients that play a vital part in adding and enhancing the flavors in the chicken. Salt adds a salty flavor as well as helps to soften the meat when exposed to heat.

Whereas, pepper adds a bit of hotness to the meat and makes it more mouthwatering after cooking. Adjust these ingredients according to your taste to achieve the desired flavors. 

Onion and garlic powder

These ingredients are also essential to bring out a bit of sweet, creamy, and garlic flavors to the dish. Instead of minced garlic and chopped onions, it's best to use them in powder form. As it will be easily absorbed by the meat when baking in the oven. 

Ground mustard

The addition of ground mustard will add a tangy and slightly spicy flavor to the chicken legs. When it is combined with other seasonings, it enhances the flavors and makes the dish more savory. 

Tools Required To Cook Chicken Legs

• Oven: The main tool that makes the chicken legs ready for you to eat. 
• Mixing bowl: It is useful in integrating and mixing all the seasonings in a place and making it ready for application. 
• Measuring spoon: It helps you to determine the right amount of ingredients required for the meat to bring balance in flavors. 
• Knife and cutting board: These tools are useful in chopping the ingredients. 
• Baking sheet: One of the essential tools to cook chicken in the oven. You can use this tool to place the seasoned chicken legs and put them in the oven for baking. 
• Baking paper or aluminum foil: This paper or foil is usually placed on the baking sheet to prevent the stickiness and additional properties of chicken legs from dripping in the baking sheet.
• Baking rack: It is useful in placing the chicken legs as well as helps to cool down the legs quickly without making them mushy or sticky.  
• Tongs: This is useful to take out the hot cooked chicken legs from the baking sheet to a serving plate. 
• Meat thermometer: It is used to check the internal temperature in the chicken legs to test for doneness. 
• Paper towel: It is used to pat dry the chicken to absorb the excess moisture or oil. 
• Heat-resistant gloves: You can use these gloves while taking out the hot baking sheet from the oven when the chicken is all cooked. It will prevent your hands from getting burned while dealing with hot materials. 
• Serving plate: You can transfer the cooked chicken legs to a serving plate to present and enjoy the dish. 
• Timer: It allows you to know the exact time when the chicken will be cooked. Set the timer right after you leave the chicken in the oven and turn it off when the stipulated time is reached. This will prevent the chicken from undercooking or overcooking. 

Ingredient Measurements

• Chicken Legs: 8 pieces
• Olive oil or melted butter: 2-3 tablespoons 
• Salt: 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
• Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon
• Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon
• Mustard powder: 1 teaspoon
• Onion powder: 1/2 teaspoon
• Parsely leaves: 2-3 leaves

Note: you can adjust the amount of ingredients according to your choice. 

Instructions To Bake Chicken Legs

Follow these step-by-step guide to cook the perfectly delicious and tender chicken legs in the oven: 

1. Preheat the oven

The first step is to set the oven to heat for a temperature of 400°F (200°C). This will allow the excess moisture to get removed as well as create a hot environment to bake the chicken properly. When you preheat the oven initially, you won't need to extend the baking time for an extra few minutes. 

2. Prepare the chicken legs

Unpack the chicken legs and rinse properly with cold water. Squeeze the meat slightly to let go of the excess water, then place the meat on the cutting board. Now, use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry. This will absorb the excess moisture from the meat. So, pat dry all the chicken leg pieces properly. 

3. Mix the seasonings

Pour olive oil or melted butter, salt and black pepper, onion and garlic powder, mustard powder, and paprika into a bowl. Use a spoon or brush to mix these seasonings well. Whisk until they turn into a consistent paste.

4. Ready the baking sheet

The baking sheet should be made ready before seasoning the chicken. It is because when you're done applying the seasoning to a chicken leg peace, you can place it on the baking sheet and proceed to others. 

To make the sheet ready, first clean the baking sheet and place it near the mixing bowl. Then get a baking paper or aluminum foil and place it over the baking sheet. The purpose is to prevent the chicken or its seasonings from sticking to the surface of the baking sheet when cooked. This will allow the easy handling of things. 

If you have a baking rack, you can also use it over the baking sheet. If you're using a baking rack, then the use of baking paper may not be required or you can use both. 

5. Season the chicken legs

Apply the seasoning paste to the chicken legs one by one. You can use a brush or simply use your hand to spread the mixture all over the chicken. Make sure the seasonings are properly blended. You can use a fork to make piercings on the chicken, this will allow the seasonings to infuse into the meat.

When you are done applying the seasonings to a chicken leg, you can place it on the baking sheet and make sure one chicken doesn't touch another. 

6. Bake the chicken legs

Now it's time to place the baking sheet into the oven. Do this step carefully to avoid the messiness. After placing the sheet in the oven, leave it for 35-45 minutes. This amount of time is necessary to ensure the proper readiness of the chicken legs. 

After 20 minutes of baking, one side of the chicken legs will turn golden or brown color. Use a tong to switch one side of the chicken to the other side. This step will lead to evenly browned chicken legs and also ensure the proper cooking. 

7. Check the temperature

When the determined baking time reaches, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken legs. When the temperature is around 165°F (74°) in the thickest part of the chicken legs, it shows the meat is cooked. 

8. Cool the chicken legs and enjoy

When chicken legs are cooked, turn off the oven and wear heat-resistant gloves to take out the baking sheet from the oven. Place the baking sheet on the surface and let the meat cool for 5 minutes. 

After 5 minutes, transfer the chicken legs to a serving plate using a tong. Then sprinkle some chopped parsley leaves over the chicken and enjoy the crispy, and tender chicken legs with your favorite sauce or drink. 

Helpful Tips

Incorporate these tips to cook the perfect chicken legs in the oven: 

• Apply BBQ sauce before placing the chicken legs into the oven. This will make the chicken more appealing. 
• Use fresh chicken for more intense flavors.
• Use additional ingredients like lemon juice, and ginger paste to enhance the flavors. 
• Marinate the chicken legs for up to 30 minutes before baking.
• Infuse the seasonings under the skin.
• Don't cook the overcrowded chicken legs in one go. Separate them in batches and bake them. 
• Make sure some space between the chicken legs while placing them on the baking sheet. 

It is important to know the estimated cooking time while preparing chicken legs. This is because inaccurate time may lead the chicken to either undercook or overcook. The exact time to bake the chicken legs depends on their type such as bone-in and boneless. 

Bone-in chicken legs normally take 35-40 minutes to be fully cooked, while the oven temperature should be around 400°F (200°C).  On the other hand, boneless chicken legs require around 25-35 minutes to cook, maintaining the oven temperature of 375°F (190°C). 

Besides the type of chicken legs, its size also influences the cooking time. Typically bigger chicken legs take more than 35-40 minutes. Whereas, the smaller ones take less than 35-40 minutes. You can estimate the time accordingly. When you are not sure of the exact cooking time, it is crucial to check the doneness after the minimum estimated cooking time is reached. 

Chicken legs can enjoyed alone but when they are served with some side dishes, they taste even better. For your convenience, here are the lists of side dishes that go well with baked chicken legs: 

1. Buttery mashed potatoes

The name itself says I'm creamy and soft. This is primarily made from white potatoes along with some seasonings like salt, pepper, and some melted butter. The crispy and tender texture of chicken legs can be enjoyed with creamy, buttery, and soft mashed potatoes. You can have this combo as a lunch or dinner. 

2. Roasted veggies

Here comes roasted veggies, a versatile dish that is served with any dish and still amazes us with its flavors. The preparation is super easy and less time-consuming. The sweet, earthy, and crispiness of the veggies give delicious flavors when combined with baked chicken legs.

3. Steakhouse creamed spinach

One of the classic and ever-green dishes that can be served with baked chicken legs is steakhouse creamed spinach. The dish has creamy and green flavors, making it one of the desired dishes when it comes to serving with chicken or any kind of meat. 

The creamy and greeny spinach gives a satisfying feeling when you eat it with baked chicken legs. It's best to eat this combo during lunch because it helps you to keep full all day. 

4. Creamed corn

This creamy and chewy dish has obtained so much love from people. Especially during the seasonal time, this dish is mostly on the easy and comfort food list. It is easy to make a dish that can be prepared in less than 10 minutes. 

The creamy and sweet flavor of this dish can be served with the crispy and tender texture of the chicken legs. It can be enjoyed as breakfast or lunch and keeps you full for a longer time. 

5. Green salads

Green salads are the best companion when it comes to pairing them with chicken or any kind of meat. It is because salads are filled with fiber and other essential nutrients that help in quick digestion and gut health.

When green salads are consumed alongside baked chicken legs, you will not only enjoy the earthy and crunchy texture but also help to digest the meat easily. As a result, it keeps you light and active.