Dive into the yummy world of crispy Baked Chicken Legs with a tasty pesto sauce! This recipe gives you soft chicken with a crispy skin outside. Plus, it's great for a keto diet. Let's dig into one of the best chicken leg recipes you have ever tried!
Jump to:
- Preparation and cooking overview
- Chef's note
- 🍗 Ingredients for baked chicken legs recipe
- Ingredient substitutions
- Additional ingredients
- Cooking tools required
- Tool substitutes list
- How to make Baked Chicken Legs: step-by-step guide
- Cooking methods
- Preparation steps
- Cooking steps
- What to serve with baked chicken legs?
- How to make it healthier?
- Time-saving tips
- What can I prepare ahead of time?
- Storage and reheating instructions
- Recipe wrap-up conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
- 📖 Recipe
Preparation and cooking overview
Making the best baked chicken legs is incredibly easy! Spice up the chicken legs. Then, bake them until they're golden and crisp. While they bake, mix basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and cheese to create the pesto. All in all, it takes just 55 minutes to cook this easy baked chicken legs recipe!
Chef's note
We've chosen chicken legs with skin for this recipe. If you're not a fan of the skin, simply peel it off before adding your seasonings. For an even crunchier crust, feel free to up the spices. Want a twist? Toss in some cumin and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the spice blend for added zest and flavor. Experiment and make it your own!
For all the chicken fans out there, check out our big list of tasty chicken recipes. You'll definitely find something you like!
🍗 Ingredients for baked chicken legs recipe
Let's make some juicy baked chicken legs with pesto sauce with these simple ingredients!
For the chicken legs
For the pesto sauce
Ingredient substitutions
Feel free to tweak the ingredients based on availability or your personal preference. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Additional ingredients
Elevate the flavor profile of your dish with these keto-friendly options:
Cooking tools required
To make this oven-baked chicken legs recipe, you'll need the following tools:
Tool substitutes list
If you don't have the exact cooking tools, consider these alternatives:
How to make Baked Chicken Legs: step-by-step guide
Cooking methods
Preparation steps
- Gather and measure all the ingredients.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel and mince the garlic cloves.
- Grate the Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
- Wash the basil leaves with cold tap water.
Cooking steps
Bake the chicken legs
- Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix together garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Dry the chicken legs with a paper towel so the seasoning sticks better.
- Rub them with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the spice mix all over the chicken legs, making sure to cover every side. Rub the spices into the meat with your hands for more flavor.
- Put them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). The skin should be crispy and golden.
- Take the juicy chicken legs out of the oven and let them sit for a few minutes before serving.
Make the homemade pesto sauce
- Combine the basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and minced garlic in a food processor or blender. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are roughly chopped and combined.
- While the food processor is running, gradually drizzle in olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and well-blended. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
- Season the pesto sauce with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Keep in mind the Parmesan cheese is already salty, so go easy on the salt.
- Once the baked chicken legs are cooked and rested, spoon the pesto sauce over them or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.
Chef's pro tip
For even cooking, space the chicken legs on the baking sheet so they lie in a single layer with room for air to flow around each piece. Keep a close eye on the internal temperature to prevent overcooking.
What to serve with baked chicken legs?
Baked chicken legs are a delicious centerpiece to your meal. Here are some keto-friendly sides to consider:
How to make it healthier?
Time-saving tips
What can I prepare ahead of time?
Storage and reheating instructions
Storage tips
Reheating best practices
Note: Reheat only the amount you plan to consume, and make sure the leftovers are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Recipe wrap-up conclusion
This Baked Chicken Legs recipe paired with pesto sauce is a great choice for those on a keto diet. The beauty of the dish lies in its simplicity. With just a handful of everyday ingredients, you're set to prepare a meal that looks gourmet and tastes divine. Its flavors are so addictive that it's bound to make a regular appearance on your dinner table!
Hungry for more poultry delights? Check out these mouth-watering keto chicken recipes:
Frequently asked questions
📖 Recipe
Baked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
For the chicken legs
- 4 12 ounces skin-in, bone-in chicken legs
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
For the pesto sauce
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix together garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Dry the chicken legs with a paper towel so the seasoning sticks better.
- Rub them with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the spice mix all over the chicken legs, making sure to cover every side. Rub the spices into the meat with your hands for more flavor.
- Put them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). The skin should be crispy and golden.
- Take the juicy chicken legs out of the oven and let them sit for a few minutes before serving.
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