Baked Lemon-Honey Herb Chicken Legs Recipe
This Baked Chicken Legs recipe features juicy, flavorful chicken legs marinated in lemon juice, honey, and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, then baked to golden perfection with a crispy skin. Ideal for a simple yet delicious weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 chicken legs (bone-in and skin-on)
Marinade & Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped rosemary
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh rosemary (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the chicken.
- Grease baking dish: Lightly grease a 10×10 inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking and help in even cooking.
- Make marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, honey, and olive oil until well combined.
- Marinate chicken: Add the chicken legs to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat them evenly with the marinade.
- Add spices: Add freshly chopped rosemary, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Toss again to evenly coat the chicken in the seasoning mix.
- Roast: Transfer the marinated and seasoned chicken legs to the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the juices run clear.
- Broil (optional): For extra crispy skin, broil the chicken legs for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh rosemary and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an added burst of fresh flavor.
Notes
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Broiling is optional but recommended for crispier skin.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with 1 teaspoon dried rosemary and thyme if fresh is unavailable.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after baking for juicier meat.
Keywords: baked chicken legs, roasted chicken, crispy chicken skin, easy chicken recipe, oven baked chicken
