8 Must-Make Chicken Leg Recipes | How to Cook Chicken Legs 3 Ways (2024)

Bless This Mess Recipes Easy Dinners Chicken

By Melissa

on Oct 23, 2016, Updated Nov 13, 2023

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This is your go-to guide for cooking up the Best Chicken Legs. You have three options for cooking methods, and eight different sauces to choose from! These chicken leg recipes will supply you with some quick and easy dinners for the weeks to come!

Table of Contents

  • 8 Oven-Baked Chicken Dinners
  • Here’s What I Love About Cooking Chicken Legs:
  • Choose From 3 Different Cooking Methods:
  • Tips and Tricks on Making Baked Chicken:
  • 5 Ingredient Sauce Recipes for the Chicken
  • Sweet Chili and Ginger Chicken Legs
  • Peach Chipotle Chicken Legs
  • Maple Dijon Chicken Legs
  • Curried Coconut Lime Chicken Legs
  • Sriracha Honey Chicken Legs
  • Easy Orange Chicken Legs
  • Lemon Chicken Legs
  • Hawaiian Chicken Legs
  • Sweet Chili and Ginger Chicken Legs Recipe
  • Peach Chipotle Chicken Legs Recipe
  • Maple Dijon Chicken Legs Recipe
  • Curried Coconut Lime Chicken Legs Recipe
  • Sriracha Honey Chicken Legs Recipe
  • Easy Orange Chicken Legs Recipe
  • Lemon Chicken Legs Recipe
  • Hawaiian Chicken Legs Recipe

8 Oven-Baked Chicken Dinners

Years ago, I published this Caramelized Chicken Legs recipe, and today it is one of the most popular recipes on my site. So many people make it and love it. I wanted to further share my love of all things chicken legs with you so that you too can make a simple dish that you family will love. I’ve made literally hundreds of chicken leg recipes, and today I’m sharing all of my tips, tricks, and advice on how to cook this awesome cut of meat. I’m also sharing 8 different chicken leg recipes so that you can make them over and over again. The recipes all have 5 ingredients or less for the sauce – you are going to crazy forthem all.

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Here’s What I Love About Cooking Chicken Legs:

  • They are inexpensive. I normally pay about a $1.00 a pound for chicken legs at Costco, no sale needed.
  • Everyone loves them. My kids eat them, my husband loves them, and they are just plain delicious.
  • They are super easy to prepare. It’s pretty hard to burn them or dry them out, which is always nice.

When I was working on all of the recipes for today, I didn’t know if I should bake them, slow cook them, or slow bake them. So I wanted to tell you that you can do all three! These recipes work in the slow cooker, oven, or in a Dutch oven in the oven, which is kind of a mix between the two. The sauces are so awesome that you have to plan on using them in your meal. You can make a pot of rice and then serve some of the extra sauce that the chicken cooked in over the rice. Add a side of steamed vegetables and you’re done!

Choose From 3 Different Cooking Methods:

For all three options, mix all of the ingredients for the sauce in a medium bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup, and whisk together to combine.

How to Slow Cook Chicken Legs:

Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a slow cooker (I have thisslow cooker). Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Slow cook on low for 6 hour or on high for 4 hours,until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

This option is great for all the reasons the slow cooker is great. You can start it in the middle of the day and have dinner on the table without much hands-on work during the busy evening. Or you can get the slow cooker going, leave the house, and come home to dinner. This is great for working parents, for Sunday dinner (it can cook while you are at church), or if you are running kids to practices or lessons in the evening. This option leads to flavorful moist chicken, but the outside and skin don’t crisp at all.

How to Bake Chicken Legs:

Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may want to line the dish with foil for easier clean up. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to one hour, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

This option is the fastest cooking option, though it will still take 45 minutes to an hour to bake. This is a great option for those of us who didn’t get the slow cooker rolling when we thought we would. I think this option also lendsthe best color and texture to the chicken skin.

How to Slow Bake Chicken Legs in a Dutch Oven:

Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of your Dutch oven (everyone need this Dutch oven! I have the 7.5 quart in green, perfect for chicken legs). Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake, with the lid on, at 250 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3hours,until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. If you want the outside of the chicken to char a bit, you can take the lid off the Dutchoven, turn the oven up to 400 degrees, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.

This is a nice middle option. I like to get a big Dutch oven full of legs cooking in the oven over a nice low heat in the middle of the afternoon. I’ll often put in baked potatoes alongside it and let everything cook for a couple of hours. This option takes a little bit of the hustle out of dinner but doesn’t have to be planned so far in advance. And there’s something kind of magical about cooking things in Dutchovens (I use this one almost daily).

Tips and Tricks on Making Baked Chicken:

  • I always try to use thawed chicken legs. They cook more consistently and the sauce has more time to penetrate the meat. Frozen chicken tends to release more liquid/water when you cook it, so it dilutes the sauces more than I like. If you are going to use frozen chicken, I’d add 45 minutes to an hour for each of the cooking times. Life happens, chicken doesn’t always get thawed, but if you can help it, it’s better tostart with thawed chicken legs.
  • Plan on eating the sauce that the chicken cooked in with your dinner. It’s so good! It’s excellent over cooked rice, squash, potatoes, and/or steamed vegetables.
  • You can marinate the chicken for 2-12 hours in the sauce if you’d like. Just dump the chicken and sauce into a pan when you are ready to cook it. It does make the meat a bit more flavorful, but for the most part I don’t think it makes a huge difference. If you want to, do it; if not, don’t.
  • These recipes double/triple really well. I love making chickens legs when we are having company over, for parties, and for any kind of social event. Feel free to make a large batch to share or eat on through the week.
  • When it comes to the garlic, use fresh or that kind that comes pre-chopped in a jar. I didn’t try these with any dried garlic products.
  • I like to use a nice light honey when it comes to chicken legs. Sometimes cheap honey is old and dark and almost has a bitter taste. If the honey is super strong you are really going to taste it, which isn’t really the goal here. I have always had good luck getting honey at Costco if I can’t get it locally (always my first choice, it’s just so good). This is my favorite store-bought honey option.

5 Ingredient Sauce Recipes for the Chicken

I had so much fun working on these recipes and my family wasn’t sad at all about eating lots of chicken legs. The best part about these recipes are that all of the sauces have5 ingredients or less! You don’t have to be too complicated when it comes to chicken legs recipes.

All these sauce recipes are for 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of chicken legs. You can prepare any of the sauces and then cook the chicken legs using one of the three methods listed above.

Craving more? Subscribe to Bless this Mess to get new recipes, meal plans, and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! Leave a comment, pin it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #blessthismesseat on Instagram. I love to see your kitchen skills in action!

Sweet Chili and Ginger Chicken Legs

Sweet chili and ginger chicken legs were a 10/10 in our house. They are so full of flavor thanks to the use of sweet chili sauce, but they weren’t too hot for the kids. The addition of ginger and soy sauce really makes this dish have a great Asian flavor profile. I’d serve this with a side of rice (extra sauce on top!) and some sautéed vegetables like bell pepper, broccoli, and/or zucchini.

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Sweet Chili and Ginger Chicken Legs

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  • Author: Melissa Griffiths – Bless this Mess
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 min
  • Yield: Sauce for 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of chicken legs 1x
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Description

These Sweet Chili and Ginger Chicken Legs are so full of flavor thanks to the use of sweet chili sauce, but they weren’t too hot for the kids. The addition of ginger and soy sauce really gives this baked chicken a great Asian flavor profile.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried ground ginger

Instructions

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup, and whisk together to combine.

To Cook in the Slow Cooker:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a slow cooker. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Slow cook on low for 6 hour or on high for 4 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Bake:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may want to line the dish with foil for easier clean up. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minute to one hour, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Slow Bake in a Dutch Oven:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of your Dutch oven. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake, with the lid on, at 250 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. If you want the outside of the chicken to char a bit, you can take the lid off the Dutch oven, turn the oven up to 400 degree, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Peach Chipotle Chicken Legs

Long live all things chipotle! You can’t get any easier than chipotle peppers, peach jam, and vinegar. These were one of my all-time favorites. Have you ever bought chipotle peppers in adobo sauce? Here’s the kind I bought. They are normally in the ethnic or Hispanic foods section in the grocery store and don’t cost much. I only used half a can (and it was about medium in heat). I just popped the second half of the peppers in a plastic baggie and stuck it in the fridge for the next time I needed some for a recipe. Apricot jam would also work well if you don’t have peach on hand. I’m going to try it with my peach raspberry jam next time, too. I feel like it’s pretty flexible! I know that there is dried chipotle chili powder that comes in a can like other spices. I didn’t use it in this recipe and I’m not sure how well it would work – just FYI.

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Peach Chipotle Chicken Legs

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  • Author: Melissa Griffiths – Bless this Mess
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 min
  • Yield: Sauce for 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of chicken legs 1x
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Description

Long live all things chipotle! You can’t get any easier than chipotle peppers, peach jam, and vinegar, in this Peach Chipotle Chicken Legs recipe. Try this sweet baked chicken – I promise you won’t be sorry!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 1/2 cups peach jam
  • 1/2 can of chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce, diced (about a 1/3 cup chopped chipotle chili peppers and adobo sauce or 3 chopped peppers and 3 teaspoons of adobo sauce)
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar

Instructions

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup, and whisk together to combine.

To Cook in the Slow Cooker:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a slow cooker. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Slow cook on low for 6 hour or on high for 4 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Bake:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may want to line the dish with foil for easier clean up. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minute to one hour, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Slow Bake in a Dutch Oven:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of your Dutch oven. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake, with the lid on, at 250 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. If you want the outside of the chicken to char a bit, you can take the lid off the Dutch oven, turn the oven up to 400 degree, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Notes

Notes: If you’d like the sauce super smooth, you can toss everything in a blender or food processor instead of chopping the chilis by hand.

  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Maple Dijon Chicken Legs

8 Must-Make Chicken Leg Recipes | How to Cook Chicken Legs 3 Ways (7)

This Maple Dijon chicken leg recipe was kind of a wild card when I went to make it and it ended up being one of my top 3 favorites. It is so tastyand the sauce was especially good on the rice. The maple adds a lot of sweetness, but I wouldn’t say that it has a super powerful maple flavor. Don’t go for that fake pancake syrup stuff here. You are going to want to use pure maple syrup. I get this brand and it’s a good price and tastes great. If I didn’t live in the desert I would try to source local maple syrup (or do my own!), but there just aren’t many maple trees in Southern Utah.

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Maple Dijon Chicken Legs

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  • Author: Melissa Griffiths – Bless this Mess
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 min
  • Yield: Sauce for 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of chicken legs 1x
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Description

These Maple Dijon Chicken Legs are so tasty and the sauce was especially good on the rice. The maple adds a lot of sweetness, but I wouldn’t say that it has a super powerful maple flavor. This chicken leg recipe is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 cup pure maple syrup (the real stuff)
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Instructions

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup, and whisk together to combine.

To Cook in the Slow Cooker:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a slow cooker. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Slow cook on low for 6 hour or on high for 4 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Bake:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may want to line the dish with foil for easier clean up. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minute to one hour, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Slow Bake in a Dutch Oven:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of your Dutch oven. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake, with the lid on, at 250 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. If you want the outside of the chicken to char a bit, you can take the lid off the Dutch oven, turn the oven up to 400 degree, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Curried Coconut Lime Chicken Legs

8 Must-Make Chicken Leg Recipes | How to Cook Chicken Legs 3 Ways (9)

Curry is life in my book. This recipe is simple classic curry flavors and we loved it. Yellow curry powder is so pretty mixed in with coconut milk and some lime juice and zest. This would be great garnished with some cilantro and more fresh lime juice.

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Curried Coconut Lime Chicken Legs

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No reviews

  • Author: Melissa Griffiths
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 min
  • Yield: Sauce for 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of chicken legs 1x

Description

These Curried Coconut Lime Chicken Legs are almost too good to be true. The Yellow curry powder is so pretty mixed in with coconut milk and some lime juice and zest. If you’re looking to take the flavor level up a notch, try these legs!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 can coconut milk, full fat (13.5 ounce can)
  • Juice and zest from 2 limes
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon yellow curry powder
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

Instructions

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup, and whisk together to combine.

To Cook in the Slow Cooker:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a slow cooker. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Slow cook on low for 6 hour or on high for 4 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Bake:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may want to line the dish with foil for easier clean up. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minute to one hour, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Slow Bake in a Dutch Oven:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of your Dutch oven. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake, with the lid on, at 250 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. If you want the outside of the chicken to char a bit, you can take the lid off the Dutch oven, turn the oven up to 400 degree, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Sriracha Honey Chicken Legs

This Sriracha Honey Chicken Leg recipe is sweet and tangy with all that sriracha flavor we can’t get enough of. This has more of a classic appetizer/game day food taste to it than some of the other recipes. It would be a great addition to any party in your future!

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Sriracha Honey Chicken Legs

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No reviews

  • Author: Melissa Griffiths – Bless this Mess
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 min
  • Yield: Sauce for 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of chicken legs 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This Sriracha Honey Chicken Leg recipe is sweet and tangy with all that sriracha flavor we can’t get enough of. Treat yourself to an easy, delicious chicken dinner with almost no prep time!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup sriracha hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

Instructions

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup, and whisk together to combine.

To Cook in the Slow Cooker:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a slow cooker. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Slow cook on low for 6 hour or on high for 4 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Bake:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may want to line the dish with foil for easier clean up. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minute to one hour, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Slow Bake in a Dutch Oven:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of your Dutch oven. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake, with the lid on, at 250 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. If you want the outside of the chicken to char a bit, you can take the lid off the Dutch oven, turn the oven up to 400 degree, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Easy Orange Chicken Legs

8 Must-Make Chicken Leg Recipes | How to Cook Chicken Legs 3 Ways (13)

Citrus and chicken legs are meant to be. You are going to love how much flavor your chicken legs get from the zest and juice ofa few oranges. You can use a few different herbs to finish off the dish, like smoked paprika, oregano, or thyme. If you liked Asian-inspired meals, you could also use ginger. You have a lot of options, but starting with orange is always a win.

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Easy Orange Chicken Legs

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No reviews

  • Author: Melissa Griffiths – Bless this Mess
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: Sauce for 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of chicken legs 1x
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Description

Citrus and chicken legs are meant to be. You are going to love how much flavor your chicken legs get from the zest and juice ofa few oranges.

Ingredients

Scale

  • Juice and zest from 3 oranges
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika OR oregano OR thyme

Instructions

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup, and whisk together to combine.

To Cook in the Slow Cooker:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a slow cooker. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Slow cook on low for 6 hour or on high for 4 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Bake:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may want to line the dish with foil for easier clean up. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minute to one hour, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Slow Bake in a Dutch Oven:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of your Dutch oven. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake, with the lid on, at 250 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. If you want the outside of the chicken to char a bit, you can take the lid off the Dutch oven, turn the oven up to 400 degree, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooker, Oven, Dutch Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Lemon Chicken Legs

8 Must-Make Chicken Leg Recipes | How to Cook Chicken Legs 3 Ways (15)

The bright simplicity of lemon is the best. This lemon chicken recipe is bright and tangy. Using fresh lemon is key. If you’d like a little more sweet to your dish, you can increase the honey to a full cup. Lemon chicken is a classic that everyone likes, even the kids.

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Lemon Chicken Legs

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No reviews

  • Author: Melissa Griffiths – Bless this Mess
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 min
  • Yield: Sauce for 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of chicken legs 1x
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Description

The bright simplicity of lemon is the best. This Lemon Chicken Legs recipe is bright and tangy. Using fresh lemon is key. These simple chicken legs will be on the table in no time and – I promise you – your family will love this dinner!

Ingredients

Scale

  • Juice and zest from 3 lemons
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon oregano OR rubbed sage
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Instructions

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup, and whisk together to combine.

To Cook in the Slow Cooker:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a slow cooker. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Slow cook on low for 6 hour or on high for 4 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Bake:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may want to line the dish with foil for easier clean up. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minute to one hour, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Slow Bake in a Dutch Oven:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of your Dutch oven. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake, with the lid on, at 250 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. If you want the outside of the chicken to char a bit, you can take the lid off the Dutch oven, turn the oven up to 400 degree, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Hawaiian Chicken Legs

Hawaiian chicken legs were a little bit different than the others but we really liked them. The crushed pineapple in the dish makes for a unique sauce when paired with ketchup and chili powder. Definitely plan on rice for this dish to enjoy that extra sauce on; it’s not something you’ll want to waste.

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Hawaiian Chicken Legs

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No reviews

  • Author: Melissa Griffiths – Bless this Mess
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 min
  • Yield: Sauce for 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of chicken legs 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Hawaiian Chicken Legs – crushed pineapple in the dish makes for a unique sauce when paired with ketchup and chili powder. These slightly exotic chicken legs are a sweet and spicy way to shake up a classic dinner!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 can crushed pineapple (17.5 ounce)
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder

Instructions

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl or 4-cup glass measuring cup, and whisk together to combine.

To Cook in the Slow Cooker:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a slow cooker. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Slow cook on low for 6 hour or on high for 4 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Bake:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. You may want to line the dish with foil for easier clean up. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minute to one hour, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

To Slow Bake in a Dutch Oven:

  1. Place all of the chicken legs in the bottom of your Dutch oven. Salt and pepper the chicken, flip it over, and salt and pepper the other side. Pour the sauce over the chicken legs. Bake, with the lid on, at 250 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the largest piece of chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. If you want the outside of the chicken to char a bit, you can take the lid off the Dutch oven, turn the oven up to 400 degree, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

So much chicken to love! I hope converted you to the wonderful world of chicken legs if you weren’t on board already.This post is going to be your go-to chicken legguide! I hope you use it over and over again.

If thispost speaks to you, you think someone else might like it, or you want to save it for later, by all means, share it on your social media platforms. Pin it,Facebook it,throw a picture up on Instagram and tag me (#blessthismesseats). All of those things are incredibly helpful to me, and the more sharing that happens, the more I’m able to turn this hobby into a job that helps my family (andmy house building project). There is so much power in your sharing, you literally have no idea how important that is for me.

Thank you! Now enjoy some delicious and simple chicken leg recipes, from my kitchen to yours.

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8 Must-Make Chicken Leg Recipes | How to Cook Chicken Legs 3 Ways (19)
8 Must-Make Chicken Leg Recipes | How to Cook Chicken Legs 3 Ways (20)
8 Must-Make Chicken Leg Recipes | How to Cook Chicken Legs 3 Ways (2024)

FAQs

What are 3 ways to cook chicken? ›

There are so many ways to prepare chicken. We can stir-fry, pan-fry, grill, barbeque, bake or roast chicken.

What makes up a chicken leg? ›

Chicken legs are made up of the thigh—the portion above the knee joint—and the drumstick. Both portions are dark meat, meaning they stay moist in the oven and are difficult to overcook. Choose inexpensive skin-on, bone-in legs and you'll have the base for many delicious recipes.

What is the proper way to eat a chicken leg? ›

A knife and fork work quite well for eating a chicken leg without touching it with your fingers. When I was a kid, my father forbade eating things like chicken or ribs with my fingers, so I learned to eat them very efficiently with silverware.

How do you ensure chicken legs are cooked? ›

To check that it's done, you can cut into the thickest part of the drumstick. The juices should run clear and the meat should be opaque throughout -- not pink. You can also use a regular or digital thermometer to check the chicken internal temperature. The thickest part of the leg must cook until it reaches 165 °F.

What are the 3 cooking methods? ›

There are three types of cooking methods: dry heat cooking, moist heat cooking, and combination cooking. Each method describes how chefs use heat to cook food and bring out unique flavors and textures.

What are the 5 ways to cook chicken? ›

There are plenty of ways one can cook chicken from roasted, grilled, baked, fried, or poached. No matter how you choose to cook chicken, there are a variety of ways to highlight the rich flavors that come from poultry.

What does 1 chicken leg piece contain? ›

Nutritional Info per 1 leg - avg 367g (raw) Edible Portion 253g
Calories (Cal)543
Fibre (g)0
Protein (g)41.6
Calcium (mg)23
Iron (mg)1.7
11 more rows

What are the two parts of the chicken leg? ›

Whole Chicken Leg: A whole chicken leg includes the thigh and drumstick, but the chicken back portion is not part of the cut.

Do chickens have 4 legs or 2 legs? ›

While chickens born with four legs are exceedingly rare, they are not unheard of. This chook likely has a case of polymelia, a genetic birth defect that results in additional limbs. Often additional limbs are shrunken or deformed. But the condition is not something that needs to be treated.

What is the best part of the chicken leg? ›

Chicken thighs are a fattier cut of meat, which means they're going to have more intense, rich flavor than their white meat counterparts. No matter the cooking preparation, chicken thighs will always yield a richer, more flavorful product.

Is it OK to eat chicken with your fingers? ›

HELEN'S ANSWER: If you have fried chicken at a picnic and in a really casual setting, you can use your hands. If you have fried chicken in a restaurant and sometimes at home, use a knife and fork. If the chicken is greasy, use the fork.

Why is chicken leg piece tasty? ›

Flavour: Leg meat is often considered tastier by many because it contains more fat and connective tissues. This fat contributes to its juiciness and succulence. Dark Meat: The leg piece contains dark meat, which is richer in myoglobin, a protein that stores oxygen in muscles.

Why is my chicken legs slimy after cooking? ›

If your cooked chicken has changed color, it is time to throw it out. Smell - If you open a container of cooked chicken and it has a new odor, especially if it is a sour, offensive scent or it suddenly looks or feels slimy with white spots or obvious mold—throw it out.

How do chefs get chicken so tender? ›

Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook. The simplest way to do this is with a dry brine — unwrap the chicken breasts, salt them on both sides and let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour.

Is it better to bake chicken legs at 350 or 400? ›

Option #1: Bake chicken legs at a higher temperature, around 400 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. A lower temp like 350 degrees Fahrenheit won't result in crispy skin, but it will still be juicy and delicious.

What are different ways to cook chicken? ›

Seven Different Ways to Cook your Chicken
  1. Roast Chicken. Roasted chicken is one of the tastiest, most satisfying dishes you can make. ...
  2. Baked Chicken. Baked chicken is different from roasted chicken in two ways. ...
  3. Braised Chicken. ...
  4. Poached Chicken. ...
  5. Fried Chicken. ...
  6. Grilled chicken. ...
  7. Pan-Fried Chicken. ...
  8. Hugh Phillips Gower Butcher.
Apr 16, 2018

What are the 3 types of chicken? ›

Chickens. Many different breeds of chickens have been developed for different purposes. For simplicity, you can place them into three general categories: Laying, meat-producing and dual-purpose breeds.

What is the most common way to cook chicken? ›

Here are some common methods for cooking chicken: Roasting:Whole chickens or chicken pieces are cooked in the oven, often with herbs, spices, and sometimes stuffed with aromatics. Roasting results in a crispy skin and tender meat. Grilling:Chicken can be grilled on an outdoor barbecue or an indoor grill pan.

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