Paprika Chicken Legs – Resist the temptation of cooking the same thing over and over and make these Baked Garlic Paprika Chicken Legs. It’s packed with great flavors from garlic, onion, cayenne pepper, herbs and of course, paprika. It’ll be a new family favorite easy dish!
The whole family will totally enjoy these baked Paprika Chicken Legs and it comes together quickly. If chicken is on your mind this week, put this one-pot low-carb meal on the menu.
All you need is a few pantry staple spices coupled with herbs on hand. For an added bonus, you can throw in some vegetables in the roasting pan and have a delicious one-pot meal ready in no time. How easy is that? You’ll have a complete meal that looks as impressive as it tastes.
What is paprika?
Paprika is a deep orange-red ground spice made from dried fruits of the larger and sweeter varieties of Capsicum annum called bell pepper or sweet peppers. It is commonly used as a garnish on soups, stews or appetizers, but its flavor is truly released when its is heated through. Paprika is also named as the fourth most consumed spiced in the world.
Is paprika spicy?
There’s not just one variety of paprika; thus its flavor could vary depending on where it’s from and the type of peppers used. Thus the flavors could range from sweet to mild to red hot.
Popular varieties consist of plain paprika, Spanish paprika and Hungarian paprika. If you’re unsure on which suits you, you can start with the one that only says “paprika” on the label as it is neither sweet nor hot and is perfect as a garnish for eggs. Hungarian paprika on the other hand has some degree of rich, sweet red pepper flavor. Those you see usually in the grocery store marketed as the Hungarian sweet paprika is sweet and slightly pungent.
For this recipe I used a smoked paprika which is a type of Spanish paprika used to achieve a deep, smoky and woodsy, earthy touch of flavor.
If you want a really crisp skin, use a paper towel to wipe the chicken dry. Looking for carbs to pair this with? Then try pairing it with this aromatic Green Beans and Bacon. If using fresh vegetables be sure to blanch before adding so you can have really tender vegetables.
Enjoy!
Watch How to Make It
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Paprika Chicken Legs
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Ingredients
- 3 -3 ½ pound chicken drumsticks
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon bouillon powder (you may replace with salt)
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 4-6 garlic cloves minced
- 2-3 Tablespoons fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, oregano)
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 Tablespoons onion powder
Instructions
- Wash chicken legs dry, rub with salt , white pepper and bouillon powder and set aside
- In a small pan set over medium low heat, combine canola oil, minced garlic, fresh herbs, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper . Stir for about 30 seconds or 1 minute. Let this mixture sit for a little bit about 5 minutes.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 425°.
- Place the chicken in a large bowl, toss with garlic paprika spice mix, then sprinkle with the onion powder.
- Line a baking pan with foil; top with a wire rack. Arrange chicken legs out in a single layer.
- Bake chicken legs until cooked through and skin is crispy, about 40-45 minutes
- If desired rotate chicken halfway through-roughly 25 minutes. And continue cooking until chicken is fully cooked and juice from the chicken runs clear.
- Remove and let it cool slightly before serving .
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
How to Make Baked Chicken Legs
Wash chicken legs and dry, rub with salt, white pepper and bouillon powder and set aside. In a small pan, set over medium low heat, combine canola oil, minced garlic, fresh herbs, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper . Stir for about 30 seconds or 1 minute. Let this mixture sit for a little bit about 5 minutes.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 425°. Place the chicken in a large bowl, toss with garlic paprika spice mix, then sprinkle with the onion powder.
Optional: You can lay out baby carrots and green beans on the foiled baking pan just underneath the rack to roast alongside the chicken.
Line a baking pan with foil; top with a wire rack. Arrange chicken legs out in a single layer. Bake chicken legs until cooked through and skin is crispy, about 40-45 minute.
If desired, rotate chicken halfway through-roughly 25 minutes. And continue cooking until chicken is fully cooked and juice from the chicken runs clear. Remove and let it cool slightly before serving.
Aeysha says
Made today with chicken legs. Turned out really great! Kids had two helpings and hubby loved it too! Thanks for this recipe. Will definitely make again. 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome!!!, I’m so glad they were a hit, especially with the kids! Thanks for giving it a try Aeysha!
Ann says
This was by far one of the best new recipes I have tried in a long time. The chicken was delicious and juicy and the vegetables!! OMG, I could have just eaten all of those wonderfully flavored vegetables and nothing else. Thank you, thank you!!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Ann! That is such a sweet comment! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
sanghamitra chowdhury says
Loved this super yummy baked garlic chicken legs.Looks so awesome.I am definitely going to try it.
ImmaculateBites says
Aww thanks! Let me know when you make it!
Kymmie says
I pulled out chicken legs to cook for dinner yesterday morning and I was dreading the same old baked chicken for dinner when I came across this recipe. On my way home from work, I stopped and got the smoked paprika and white pepper to make sure I got this right. It was super easy to make. I put the onion powder in with the other herbs and spices by mistake…but that ultimately did not matter. I also added about another two tablespoons of oil to get the herb mixture to the right consistency. I marinated the chicken in the herb mixture (in the fridge) for an hour…then cooked it on the baking rack. It was a hit in my house. My 7 and 13 year olds loved it…even with the cayenne it was not too spicy. My hubby devoured it and I had to hurry to pack our lunches for the next day before everything was gone! I can’t say enough how delicious and flavorful this was! Two notes…I didn’t know if was supposed to cover the chicken. I did not, but I did turn it over halfway thru cooking. Also, if you use the baking rack and put the veggies under it, you don’t need to season the veggies. The veggies absorb all the great taste from the chicken! Last…because of the foil…it was super easy cleanup. Lady…you are the bomb!!!!
ImmaculateBites says
Right back at you! Thank you for this elaborate feedback.You made the right move, not covering the chicken, I never do. And turning the chicken half way through is always great , it ensures all around crispness. Next time double up!
Nicky says
So yummy. The best I have ever cooked. I added potatoes to the vegetables, sprinkled with some of the spice mixture. My husband is not a chicken fan, but he ate an extra piece today. Thanks for helping us cook better.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Nicky!Thanks for taking the time to give feedback. Really appreciate it! Two thumbs for hubby.
Pam says
Looks delicious! So delicious that I am making this chicken recipe tonight with sautéed kale and rice!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Pam! Good to know. Do tell how it works out for you. Thanks.
Pam says
Your chicken recipe is the BEST! Very tasty and yummy! It went really well with the kale greens and rice too! Thanks for the deeeeelicious recipe! 🙂
Marie says
I cooked this and it looks nothing like yours. The recipe calls for 1 tsp bouillon powder and white pepper but where do you add that to. Also to combine oil, minced garlic, fresh herbs, smoked and paprika. Do you mean cayenne and smoked paprika? The herbs can it be any of the three you mention?
Sorry just a little confused on this recipe.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Marie! I am sorry this is a little confusing for you- I have gone over the recipe and did and update! And yes, the herbs can be all three or any combination. The bouillon powder is optional- replace with salt . Please let me know how it works Thanks
Marie says
Thank you for the update! It was delicious!!! My kids loved it even more that I cooked it right….lol. Thank you again.
Steph says
Is it just me or is 2 TB of oil not enough? My spice mixture was not liquid at all. What am i doing wrong? I had to rub the mixture into the chicken. Good flavor despite the issues.
ImmaculateBites says
Steph, it is not you. Next time you make it don’t include the onion in the mix. Just sprinkle on the chicken or add about 2 tablespoons or more oil . Thanks for the feedback.
MatseCooks says
Looks really good. 🙂
Beth Olson says
This chicken is INCREDIBLY good !!!! I didn’t make the veggies because my hubby wanted shoestring onions (Ree Drummond). I treated myself to a small tin of semi-expensive (well, more than I usually pay) of honest-to-goodness smoked paprika about a month ago and that may have made the difference. They tasted like I just plucked them off the grill!! Will definitely be my go-to baked chicken recipe. Thanks for sharing this!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Beth! I always appreciate hearing reports back from readers. And I know what you mean about the smoked paprika. It really does add flavor to the chicken.
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
These chicken legs look so impressive – love all the flavour, spices and aromatics going on. I can imagine how good they must have tasted!
ImmaculateBites says
You should try it Thalia. They really taste great!
Nagi@RecipeTin Eats says
Yummo! Yet another one to add to my list! Don’t you love the colour paprika adds to anything??! I already know the rub for this is a hit. You have the formula down pat! (PS Onion and garlic powder are my secret weapon for pretty much every rub!! 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
You’ve got that right Nagi.
Rachel says
I did not see the Cajun spice mix listed in the ingredients? Did you mean cayenne? What type of fresh herbs did you use?
ImmaculateBites says
Rachel, I did mean cayenne.I used a combination of herbs (listed above, pick and choose according to preference). Thanks recipe updated!
ChiO says
Loving the colors 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks!
Kelseya says
No recipe for the yellow rice?
ImmaculateBites says
Will post by the weekend.
diana says
are you going to post the rice like you said!!
Apryl says
Usually the rice had cooking instructions on the bag.
EVELYN says
MAKING THIS TONIGHT. WISH ME LUCK!
ImmaculateBites says
You are going to NAIL it GIRL!!!!!
tina says
What if I don’t have an oven?
ImmaculateBites says
You can try making it stove top but it wouldn’t be crisp or have the same texture.