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Close-up handheld photo of crispy Oven Baked Chicken Legs with visible herbs and cracked pepper.

Oven Baked Chicken Legs: The Ultimate Crispy Drumstick Recipe

Master the art of Oven Baked Chicken Legs with this high-heat roasting method. Achieve perfectly golden-brown blistered skin and juicy meat seasoned with cracked black pepper and earthy dried oregano for a quick, impressive dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Recipe Ingredients
  • 2.5 lbs Chicken Drumsticks Skin-on, bone-in (approx. 1.1kg)
  • 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (30ml)
  • 1.5 tsp Kosher Salt (9g)
  • 1 tsp Cracked Black Pepper (2g)
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano (1g)
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley Finely chopped for garnish (8g)

Equipment

  • 1 Baking Sheet Rimmed to catch drippings
  • 1 Wire Cooling Rack To elevate chicken for air circulation

Method
 

Preparation and Roasting
  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken drumsticks extremely dry using paper towels to ensure the skin can blister properly.
  2. In a large bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, salt, cracked black pepper, and dried oregano until evenly coated.
  3. Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Roast for 35-40 minutes until the skin is golden-brown and crispy with slight char marks. Internal temperature should reach 175°F (80°C).
  4. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve on a white plate.

Notes

Always pat the chicken dry for the ultimate crunch.
Use a wire rack to prevent the bottom of the legs from getting soggy.