These Crispy Panko Crusted Baked Chicken Legs make an easy family dinner. The baked chicken legs only need a few simple ingredients. The chicken drumsticks turn out extra-crispy even though they are only baked in the oven instead of being deep-fried.
Are you looking for crunchy oven baked chicken legs and drumsticks? This Crispy Panko Crusted Baked Chicken Legs recipe is for you! Cooking the chicken legs on a wire rack that is set over a baking sheet is one of the reasons the oven baked chicken legs turn out so crispy. The chicken legs are able to turn crispy since all sides of the chicken legs are exposed to the heat.
Chicken legs are an inexpensive meat option for budget friendly meal plans. Baked chicken legs can be made in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is too hard to cook chicken legs on a grill due to bad weather or the lack of a grill. Another favorite option is to fry chicken legs in oil in a skillet. However, there are many reasons you may not want to deep-fry chicken legs in a skillet.
I find that it is easier to make crispy panko crusted chicken legs in the oven. All you have to do is season the chicken legs, dip in a beaten egg mixture, coat in panko breadcrumbs, and bake on a wire rack over a cookie sheet for about an hour. Follow the Crispy Panko Breaded Baked Chicken Leg recipe below to learn what steps I take to make extra crunchy oven baked chicken legs.
What are Panko breadcrumbs?
You may be wondering what the difference is between panko breadcrumbs and regular breadcrumbs. Panko is a Japanese-style type of breadcrumb. Panko is made from a crustless white bread. It is then processed into large flakes. Since Panko breadcrumbs are dryer and flakier, it creates a crispier coating.
Are Panko breadcrumbs healthy?
Panko breadcrumbs may be considered a healthier alternative to traditional breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs tend to have fewer calories, fat, and sodium compared to other breadcrumb alternatives.
Are Panko breadcrumbs gluten-free?
Panko breadcrumbs are typically not gluten-free since they are made out of a white bread. However, you can buy gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs. Kikkoman sells a gluten-free Panko style breadcrumb option.
📖 Recipe
Crispy Panko Breaded Baked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup panko
- 3-4 pounds chicken legs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place a wire rack inside the pan.
- In a small bowl, combine the onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
- Apply the seasoning mix over the chicken like you would a meat rub.
- In one small bowl, whisk together the eggs. Add the panko breadcrumbs to another small bowl. Dip each chicken leg into the egg mixture and then coat with the panko breadcrumbs.
- Continue the process for each chicken leg. Set each chicken drumstick on the wire rack that is reseting on the rimmed baking sheet. Bake for one hour at 375 degrees or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the oven. Let the chicken cool for a few minutes and then serve.
What side dishes should I serve with panko crusted chicken legs?
Crispy baked chicken legs would be great served with almost any side dish. Crispy chicken drumsticks tend to be viewed as a traditional American main course. You could serve the budget-friendly dinner with grilled vegetables - like corn - or you could serve it with a more non-traditional side dish like Zesty Black Bean & Quinoa Side Salad with Cumin Dressing.
How to make crispy chicken legs in the oven
Some people are scared you can't make crispy chicken legs in the oven. The secret to this recipe is both the panko coating and the method of cooking. It is important to place the chicken drumsticks on a rack over a baking sheet. This allows the heat from the oven to circulate around the chicken legs to make the panko breadcrumbs crispy.
How long does it take to cook chicken drumsticks in oven?
How long it takes to cook chicken drumsticks in the oven depends on your oven temperature and the size of the chicken legs. The chicken legs should be fully thawed before baking. For a medium size chicken drumstick, it takes about 1 hour to fully cook the chicken leg in the oven at a temperature of _______.
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