Easy, crispy, and full of flavor – a healthier twist on fried chicken!
These juicy baked chicken legs are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The savory breading gives them the perfect crunch — without deep frying! It’s a wholesome, easy-to-make meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 2.2 lbs (about 1 kg) chicken drumsticks
For the Marinade:
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 green chili pepper, chopped (optional, for heat)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
For the Breading:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (about 3.5 oz / 100 g)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (6 heaping tbsp)
- 3 tbsp chopped pumpkin seeds (or sunflower seeds)
- 1 tsp dried garlic (or garlic powder)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
1. Marinate the chicken:
Place the onion, garlic, chili pepper, olive oil, salt, paprika, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth to make a paste.
Add the chicken drumsticks to a large bowl and coat them thoroughly with the marinade.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1½ to 2 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor.
2. Prepare the breading:
In one bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with dried garlic, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and chopped pumpkin seeds.
In a second bowl, place the flour.
In a third bowl, beat the eggs with a fork until smooth.
3. Bread the chicken:
Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge.
One at a time, dredge each drumstick in flour, then dip it in beaten egg, and finally roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, coating it evenly on all sides.
4. Bake:
Place the breaded drumsticks on a wire rack set over a baking sheet (to allow air circulation). Lightly grease the rack with vegetable oil.
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
5. Serve and enjoy:
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve your juicy baked chicken legs with your favorite dipping sauce — ranch, honey mustard, or spicy ketchup all work great.
Tips:
These chicken legs taste great hot or cold — perfect for meal prep or picnics!
For extra crunch, spray the drumsticks lightly with cooking oil before baking.
Want a gluten-free version? Use almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Recipe for Baked Chicken Wings Breaded with Almonds
👉 takajaeda.com/en/recipes-en/baked-wings-with-almonds/