Baked Chicken Legs (Creamy and Spicy) — A creamy baked chicken boasting robust flavors smothered in a cream sauce with just 10 minutes of prep time. Perfect for busy weeknight meals or gatherings!
This easy-to-prepare creamy baked chicken legs recipe boasting tasty herbs, onion, garlic, and, of course, cream requires very little work. Satisfying and delicious for a weeknight meal the whole family will enjoy.
Browning the chicken first gives an extra flavor boost and adds richness to the finished sauce. But most of the preparation takes place in the oven for an easy-peasy main dish.
Versatile Baked Chicken Legs
Browning and baking the chicken gives you an even brown color. However, feel free to cook your chicken legs on the stovetop if you don’t want to heat up the oven. Spice the chicken and add your favorite poultry spices, or use salt, pepper, and Italian herbs for simplicity.
Or you can cook the chicken in the oven from start to finish. Whatever works best for you.
What You Need to Bake Delicious Creamy Chicken Legs
- Chicken Drumsticks – I love how juicy and forgiving the legs and thighs are. But you can use a whole chicken or just the breast. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Oil – Olive or canola oil to sear the chicken legs. If doing it all in the oven, smear it all over the chicken before seasoning so they brown better in the oven.
- Seasonings – Creole seasoning, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, and Italian herbs mix and match for a savory dish.
- Spicy Cream Sauce – Milk, heavy cream, chicken broth, smoked paprika, white pepper, parsley, and a pinch of salt deliver a decadent cream sauce that pairs great with more than just chicken. Try it on your pork chops and see for yourself.
How to Bake Creamy Chicken Legs
- Preheat oven to 450℉ (230℃).
- Prep Chicken – Rinse chicken legs, season them with seasoned salt and pepper, and set aside.
- Brown – Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or oven-proof skillet over medium until hot. Then add the chicken and brown, turning once or twice to ensure even brownness.
- Alternate Browing – Or place oiled and seasoned chicken legs on a rack and bake them in a 450℉ (230℃) oven for about 15 minutes.
- Saute Aromatics – Remove chicken and set aside. Drain excess oil, leaving a couple of tablespoons in the pan. Add onions, followed with the minced garlic, and stir for about 5 minutes.
- The Sauce – Add milk, cream, tomato sauce, paprika, white pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Bake – Place the chicken back into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serve – Adjust the sauce’s thickness and seasoning with broth and salt according to preference. Serve hot with rice or potatoes and your favorite veggies.
What Goes With Baked Chicken Legs
Serve these creamy and spicy baked chicken legs with roasted veggies like carrots or green beans and a side of rice or pasta, and voila—you have a lovely dinner!
Watch How to Make It
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Spicy and Creamy Baked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 2½-3 pounds (1.2-1.5k) chicken legs
- ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil or canola oil
- 1½ teaspoons (9g) seasoned salt (I used homemade Creole seasoning)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons (5g) minced garlic or 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ cup (120ml) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons (7g) Italian herbs
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream (or whipping cream)
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon (5g) smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon (5g) white pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons (8-12g) chopped parsley
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450℉ (230℃).
- Rinse chicken legs, season them with seasoned salt and pepper, and set aside.
- In a large Dutch oven or oven-proof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Then add the chicken and brown, turning once or twice to ensure even brownness.
- Or place oiled and seasoned chicken legs on a rack and bake them in a 450℉ (230℃) oven for about 15 minutes.
- Remove chicken and set aside. Drain excess oil, leaving a couple of tablespoons in the pan. Add onions, followed with the minced garlic, and stir for about 5 minutes.
- Add milk, cream, tomato sauce, paprika, white pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Put the chicken back into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken legs are fully cooked.
- Adjust the sauce's thickness and seasoning with broth and salt according to preference. Serve hot with rice or potatoes and your favorite veggies.
Tips & Notes:
- Room-temperature chicken cooks more evenly and crisps up better
- Adjust spiciness to personal preference
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe
beverly Schmidt says
I had double the chicken legs so I doubled the recipe . mine looks too watery and nothing like the picture. I guess you can only make these in small batches.
Sally Tausend says
Made this tonight. It was just me so I just winged it with the ingredient amounts and it was fabulous! Thank you for sharing, will make this many more times.
imma africanbites says
Glad it turned out fab for you, Sally! Thanks you for stopping by! 🙂
Destiny says
So glad I found your website. Made this tonight and it was soooo delicious. Wish I could give it 10 stars!
ImmaculateBites says
Great! So happy to hear this . Thank you so much
Karrie Valentin says
Omg this was awesome! So fancy and so delicious! First recipe I made that I could tell my husband truly loved! Thank you !!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Thank you so much!
Prosperity says
I just put the chicken in the oven. So excited!! Thanks for your wonderful recipes.You are my go to!!
ImmaculateBites says
Aww Thanks! Bon Apetit!!!
Tamika says
I made this dish tonight and it was delicious. I will make it again
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome ! Glad to hear it worked well for you.
Eliska says
Hi,
i cooked so many dishes already from your blog and it always turned up to die for ! this dish didnt dissapoint as well.. thank you !
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Eliska! Glad to hear my recipes are working out well for you. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
B woods says
I do a very broad range of cooking but this chicken dish is really really tasty. By reading recipe I would not normally make this but sure glad I did thanks to the wonderful reviews: )
ImmaculateBites says
So glad to hear it worked out well for you.Thanks for taking the time to let me know
Ann Drew says
Loved this chicken dish I added mushrooms and used less Italian herbs, it was a success, will definitely make it again next time for friends. Thank you
ImmaculateBites says
Yay! Thanks for taking the time to let me know!
Terri Poinsett says
This is amazing I could eat the sauce with a spoon. I used thighs and fresh oregano and parsley. On my goodness.
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Glad it worked out well for you.
Evette says
The list of ingredients calls for chicken broth, but it doesn’t say when to add it. I hoping it’s with the milk and cream.
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, it is . Recipe updated.
Natalie says
I love your site and my favorite recipe on it is Stew Chicken but I didn’t like this one. 2 tbsp of Italian herbs and 2-3 tbsp of parsley is way too much and it is overpowering. Also, it was bland, not spicy at all. I followed the recipe to a t. Sad, I really wanted to like it.
ImmaculateBites says
Sorry to hear you did not enjoy this as much. So happy the stew chicken made up for it. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Fofi says
Hello…i followed your post from SYTYCC page. I just finished making this recipe and it turned out well. I think the only change I would make would be to drastically reduce the Italian herbs. I found 2 Tablespoons was far too much and overpowering. I think 1/4 teaspoon would suit my tastes better or maybe I’d even skip the Italian herbs completely next time. I wasn’t sure when to add the chicken broth, so I just left it out. This was really yummy and I’ll definitely make it again. Thanks so much for sharing!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Fofi! Thanks for the feedback! So happy to hear you are making this again.
Earl says
I see that there have not been any posts in 2015 but i have to tell you. I very seldom add my comments to recipes but this this one is a must do. I cooked it for my wife & myself & it,s a keeper. I was that impressed i made it again 2 days latter for my office manage who has limited cooking skills. The exception was i had to triple the ingredients to make enough for her family. She told me the next day, that i almost got away from her pay raise with that meal.
Thank you for posting the recipe
ImmaculateBites says
Earl, don’t tell me my postings are going to your spam folder- I post frequently at least 3 times a week- you have been missing out! So take some time and check out the recipes.
Thanks for making me the exception- feedback is always appreciated . I am so happy this recipe is a hit with everyone and that you took the time to let me know.
Cindy says
OMG!!! I’ve been looking for a baked spicy chicken recipe and I’ve found it! I absolutely love it!!! Thanks so much for sharing this. I actually didn’t have heavy cream so I just doubled the milk and it worked just as fine.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Cindy, Thank you.I am glad you made and loved these creamy chicken legs. Thanks for sharing your substitution- it is always good to know.