Chicken legs are like the unsung heroes of the poultry world—often overshadowed by their flashier, boneless counterparts. But let me tell you, this recipe for crispy baked chicken legs is a game-changer. Imagine biting into perfectly seasoned, crispy skin, and juicy meat that just falls off the bone—seriously, it’s like a comfort food hug!
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan-forced) and line a baking tray with foil, placing a rack on top for extra crispiness.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, flour, and baking powder for the seasoning.
- Coat the chicken drumsticks thoroughly in olive oil, stretching the skin to cover as much flesh as possible to enhance crispiness.
- Roll each drumstick in the seasoning mixture, ensuring an even coat, and shake off any excess.
- Arrange the drumsticks on the rack and spray them generously with oil to aid in browning and crisping.
- Bake the drumsticks for 30 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Increase the oven temperature to 220°C/430°F (200°C fan) and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the drumsticks are golden and crispy.
- Serve the crispy drumsticks immediately while they are hot.
Ingredients
- 12 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Oil spray
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons onion powder
- 5 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cooking or kosher salt
- 4 1/2 tablespoons plain or all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder (not to be confused with baking soda)
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2370cal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 198g | Fat: 144g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 30g | Monounsaturated Fat: 72g | Trans Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 1002mg | Sodium: 5358mg | Potassium: 4470mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 6438IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 828mg | Iron: 12mg
FAQ
- What is the secret to achieving crispy skin on baked chicken drumsticks?
- The secret to crispy skin on baked chicken drumsticks is using a small amount of baking powder. This ingredient is known to enhance the crispiness of the skin without affecting the flavor, as demonstrated in many popular recipes.
- Can I use other cuts of chicken for this recipe?
- Yes, you can use chicken wings or skin-on, bone-in thighs. The cooking time and temperature for wings remain the same, while thighs require a slightly different baking time.
- What can I substitute if I don’t have all the spices for the seasoning mix?
- If you don’t have all the spices, you can substitute garlic powder with more onion powder and vice versa. If you don’t have smoked paprika, you can use ordinary or sweet paprika instead.
- Why do I need to use a rack and foil when baking the drumsticks?
- Using a rack allows for air circulation around the drumsticks, helping to make the underside crispy. Lining the tray with foil makes cleanup easier, especially if you don’t have a rack and need to turn the drumsticks halfway through baking.
- What are some side dishes that go well with crispy baked chicken drumsticks?
- These drumsticks pair well with a variety of sides, such as fried rice, garden salad, macaroni salad, or potato salad. For something different, you might try a marinated vegetable pasta salad or a quinoa kale salad.
Tips
- Use Baking Powder for Crispy Skin: Ensure you use baking powder, not baking soda, to achieve a crispy skin on your chicken drumsticks. This ingredient helps create a crunchier texture compared to not using it at all.
- Stretch the Skin Over Drumsticks: Before coating the drumsticks, stretch the skin over the meat as much as possible. This will help in making the skin crispier since exposed flesh does not crisp up.
- Generously Spray with Oil: After applying the seasoning, be generous when spraying the drumsticks with oil. This will assist in achieving a golden, crispy finish, similar to frying.
- Use a Rack on a Foil-Lined Tray: Place the drumsticks on a rack over a foil-lined tray to ensure the undersides become crispy as well. If you don’t have a rack, line with paper and turn the drumsticks halfway through the cooking time, adding an extra 5 to 10 minutes if needed.
Equipment
- Baking Tray with Rack: A rack is essential to ensure the underside of the drumsticks gets crispy.
- Oil Spray Bottle: For spraying oil evenly over the chicken drumsticks.
- Shallow Mixing Bowl: Useful for mixing the seasoning and coating the drumsticks.
