These Garlicky Salt & Pepper Oven Baked Chicken Legs are low carb, keto-friendly, and a delicious way to fall back in love with chicken legs. As a kid I preferred baked chicken legs over almost anything, but as an adult I rarely bought them—until I created this favorite seasoning. Now they’re a regular on my menu.
How to Make Oven Baked Chicken Legs
Oven baking is one of the best ways to cook chicken legs. In summer you can certainly finish them on the grill for extra char, but for most of the year the oven is the easiest route. Below are a few common questions and practical answers to ensure great results.
Is baking chicken drumsticks the best way to cook chicken legs?
Baking is my top pick for reliably crispy, evenly cooked chicken legs. Barbecue can produce similar results but isn’t practical year-round. For convenience and consistent texture, oven-baked drumsticks are hard to beat.
How long do you bake chicken legs or chicken drumsticks for?
Cook chicken legs until they reach an internal temperature of about 185 °F. Dark meat benefits from higher finishing temperatures (rather than stopping at 165 °F) so the connective tissue and fat break down and the texture becomes tender and juicy. Use a reliable meat thermometer to check doneness for the best results.
What are some other baked chicken legs or drumstick recipes?
There are lots of variations you can try. Popular approaches include homemade shake-and-bake coatings, plain seasoned baked drumsticks, or honey garlic styles. Any of these can be adapted to oven baking.
My garlicky salt-and-pepper chicken legs are inspired by a favorite salt-and-pepper wing recipe. The combination of coarse salt, crushed black pepper, sesame oil, garlic, and green onion gives these legs big flavor with minimal effort.
These salt-and-pepper oven-baked chicken legs are simple, fast, and pack a satisfying savory punch. Chicken legs are an economical, easy-to-eat cut that pick up sauces and seasonings beautifully. Once baked crispy, they take on the garlic-sesame finishing oil perfectly, delivering flavor on every bite.
Tips & Tricks For Making Amazing Oven Baked Chicken Legs
- Line the baking sheet with foil if it isn’t very non-stick — that makes cleanup much easier.
- Use a baking sheet slightly larger than needed so you can move and turn the legs without crowding them.
- When seasoning, sprinkle the salt-and-pepper mixture over the legs for better control rather than tossing them raw; this lets you adjust how much sticks to each piece.
- Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper—these legs need a generous coating to build big flavor.
- Make the garlic and sesame sauce and toss the hot, crispy legs in it right after baking. That finishing step is what gives the dish its bold, aromatic punch.
Happy low carb cooking!
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Salt & Pepper Oven Baked Chicken Legs
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 25 minutes
- Total Time
- 30 minutes
- Course
- Main Course
- Cuisine
- American
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 601
Ingredients
- 8 chicken legs
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 4 teaspoons crushed black pepper
- 4 teaspoons sesame oil
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 4 green onions, diced
- chili pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine the salt and crushed black pepper in a bowl. Lightly oil a baking sheet and arrange the chicken legs on it. Sprinkle the salt-and-pepper mixture over the legs, turning or shaking the tray so they’re evenly coated.
- Bake for 15 minutes, turn the legs, then bake another 15–20 minutes until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches at least 185°F.
- Just before the legs finish, heat the sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and diced green onions and cook until the garlic is lightly browned.
- Remove the chicken legs from the oven and place them in a large bowl. Pour the garlic-sesame oil over the hot legs and toss until they’re fully coated.
- Transfer the crispy, garlic-coated legs to a serving platter, spoon any remaining garlic oil over the top, and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
,
Carbohydrates: 3 g
,
Protein: 42 g
,
Fat: 45 g
Nutrition and calorie information are estimates and will vary based on ingredients, portion sizes, and preparation methods.