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Baked Herb Chicken

5 from 2 votes
Total: 35 minutes
Serves 4

Get ready to turn your kitchen into a haven of savory aromas with this baked Herb Chicken, a culinary delight that will transport your taste buds to a magical experience. With minimal ingredients and a quick cooking time, this juicy, flavorful side dish will become an instant hit at any potluck, BBQ, or game-day gathering.

Don’t miss out on this crowd-pleasing side dish – your loved ones will be asking for seconds!

Baked Herb Chicken legs with lemon wedges

Who doesn’t love hand-held finger foods? It’s probably everyone’s favorite. 

Whether it be a social gathering or any occasion, no one can beat hand-held food snacks like One-hour pull-apart garlic rollsHoney orange chicken meatballs, Minced chicken puffs, and Puff Pastry Samosa pinwheels, to name a few. And The recent one to join the list is – Baked Herb Chicken. 

They are all my go-to recipes for game day and tailgates. Each one of them is insanely delicious and makes a perfect crowd-pleasing hors d’oeuvre!

About Baked Herb Chicken

Baked Herb Chicken is a flavorful recipe with succulent chicken legs roasted slowly in an oven till they reach a golden perfection.

Vibrantly flavorful and aromatic herbs like dried Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Thyme leaves, and Rosemary bring a plethora of deliciousness and unique melody to the recipe.

Olive oil helps in better cooking by maintaining the moisture of the chicken pieces while grilling. Garlic and onion powder elevate the overall taste of this delicacy by adding a unique depth of flavor.

Reasons You’ll ♡ Baked Herb Chicken Recipe

This grilled herb chicken drumstick recipe is not just a meal but an experience you would want to go through repeatedly. You will love this recipe as it is —

  • Utterly flavorful and takes no extra effort to make
  • Budget-friendly – if you love easy homemade dinners on a budget
  • A healthy, protein-packed dish
  • Fuss-free and remarkably delicious recipe, and
  • Easily customizable to one’s taste and needs!

Ingredients list

Baked Herb Chicken Ingredient List

Chicken Drumsticks  The main ingredient of this recipe, chicken drumsticks, make the juiciest and tenderest herb chicken recipe. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or thighs. 

Garlic Powder  Adds a depth of flavor to this baked herb chicken recipe while elevating the delectability of the dish.

Peppercorns  This adds a rich, spicy, and deep flavor to the recipe while adding a dash of heat to it. 

Onion Powder — This is an essential seasoning added for the savory umami flavor that takes the recipe’s deliciousness a notch up. 

Aromatic Herbs — Dried Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Thyme leaves, and Rosemary add irresistible flavors to the recipe, making it magically flavorsome!

Olive Oil – A generous coating of olive oil on the chicken pieces adds a lovely flavor and helps in better cooking while moistening the meat during the grilling process.

Lemon wedges – For garnishing this baked Chicken Drumsticks with garlic and herbs recipe. 

Grilled Chicken drumsticks with pearl onions and fresh herbs

Baked Chicken drumsticks recipe tips and variation

Straightforward recipe — This easy and hassle-free baked herb chicken recipe, prepared using an oven, simplifies your dinner routine to give you juicy, crispy, and incredibly flavorful roasted chicken that requires minimal effort on your part. 

Chicken preferences  For this delicious baked chicken drumsticks recipe, you can choose from bone-in chicken legs, with or without the skin, or boneless chicken thighs, which are easy on the wallet and more affordable than any other meat. Please note that the baking time for boneless chicken needs to be modified. 

A nutritious delight  Indulging in this healthy recipe offers a robust dose of iron, zinc, and other essential nutrients, with a fat content that leans towards a higher side. Still, this fat is healthier than other alternatives. Additionally, when prepared mindfully by opting for grilling over frying, it enhances the health quotient significantly. For those adhering to a low-fat diet, I recommend removing the chicken skin before relishing this delicious dish.

For even cooking  Ensure that the chicken legs have come to room temperature before grilling. This step even facilitates cooking the meat.  

For an added burst of flavor  Remember to include seasoning beneath the skin of the chicken legs when cooking with the skin intact. This step will infuse flavors and add extra deliciousness to every bite that brims with savory goodness. 

Keep the marinade moist  Regularly check the chicken while it cooks and drizzle some olive oil if the marinade looks dry. It will help to tenderize the chicken and keep it moistened till it is thoroughly cooked. 

For optimal results  When grilling, allow the chicken legs to bask freely on the grill without any cover. This ensures a delightful golden brown hue on the exterior. This method facilitates caramelization, rendering the chicken beautiful, crispy, and delicious with rich marinade flavors perfectly melded in the meat.

Craft the marinade as you want  This uncomplicated baked herb chicken recipe allows you to be creative with the endless unique combinations of marinades that are possible to create. Substituting oregano with Italian seasoning or swapping cayenne pepper for paprika or chili flakes to infuse varied flavors will work wonders. Consider adding a hint of honey mustard for an added touch of sweetness. The canvas of flavors awaits to be filled with your imagination, so feel free to experiment!

Varied choice of chicken pieces  You can use whatever chicken cut you like. Chicken breasts, thighs, or even wings will make an irresistibly delicious recipe. The preference is entirely yours. But you will have to adjust the cooking time accordingly. 

Perfectly baked chicken drumsticks

For better cooking — Flip the chicken pieces halfway into the cooking to ensure they are cooked through. This simple step guarantees a lovely caramel color on either side of the chicken pieces, ensuring every bite is flavorful and visually appealing, too. 

Easy grilling hacks  Greasing your grills and baking trays is essential to prevent sticking. Although I prefer oil, some opt for an alternate method of rubbing their grill grates with a slice of onion to prevent it from sticking. 

Avoid cooking the frozen chicken —The frozen marinated chicken takes longer to bake and can get overcooked easily. The outer of the frozen meat finishes cooking faster, while the interior meat will still be frozen and raw. This will turn into an unappetizing recipe. To avoid this, always bring the chicken to room temperature before baking. Also, do not freeze the marinated chicken. 

Serving options  You can serve these crispy and super flavorful baked herb chicken drumsticks with baked potatoes, Instant Pot fiesta rice, and focaccia bread for a hearty and wholesome weeknight dinner! 

If you are not a rice lover, pair it with quinoa for a healthy meal.

However, you can keep your creativity flowing as there are endless ways to serve this lip-smacking recipe. Considering your family’s preferences, experiment with different combos of seasonings.

Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs in this recipe?

Yes, you can! If using fresh herbs for this herb roasted chicken drumsticks recipe, you will need – 

  • 1.5 tablespoons of fresh Oregano
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary leaves
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh Thyme Leaves. The rest of the ingredients remain the same. 

Let me know what you think!

So, do you want to see how simple ingredients transform into a symphony of flavors? Well, put on your aprons, preheat your ovens, and let’s craft a meal that adds a touch of gourmet magic to your table tonight!

Should you make this baked herb chicken recipe, please let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment below. 

And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.

Craving for more game day appetizers, be sure to check these out-

Follow the step-by-step recipe below to make the best Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Garlic and Herbs

Baked Herb Chicken

5 from 2 votes
Get ready to turn your kitchen into a haven of savory aromas with this baked Herb Chicken. With minimal ingredients and a quick cooking time, this juicy, flavorful side dish will become an instant hit at any potluck, BBQ, or game-day gathering.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Calories: 430 kcal
Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS 

GARNISHES

  • Fresh Rosemary leaves
  • Fresh Thyme Leaves
  • Lemon Wedges

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Wash and thoroughly dry the chicken drumsticks. Remove the skin. 
    Combine dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried rosemary in a separate bowl. Pour in oil and mix to combine.
    Pour this mixture over the chicken legs. Rub the herb marinade in every part of the chicken legs.
    Refrigerate the drumsticks for at least 30 minutes.
    TIP — All the herbs that participate in making this herb chicken delight harmonize perfectly with each other to create a gourmet masterpiece.

BAKING CHICKEN IN THE OVEN

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 
    Grease a grill tray. Arrange chicken in a single layer.
    Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the chicken begins to brown, turning halfway during the cooking time. 
  • Remove from the oven. Drizzle fresh lemon juice on chicken legs and serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
    This juicy, crispy, and incredibly flavorful chicken drumsticks recipe infused with aromatic herbs is a perfect finger food that can turn an ordinary moment into a memorable one.

BAKING CHICKEN LEGS IN MEALTHY CRISPLID

  • Spread the chicken legs into a single layer. 
    Put the Mealthy Crisplid on and bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes until the chicken begins to brown, turning halfway during the cooking time. 
  • As the chicken bakes, it will pick up all the flavors of the herbs, and the oil in the marinade will ensure that the chicken drumsticks stay juicy and moist.
    TIP — For the pearl onions, peel and rinse onions in tap water. Pat them dry. Toss in the oil-herb marinade and arrange in a single layer in the Mealthy CrispLid tray — Bake at 375 degrees F for 6 minutes. Onions bake quickly; therefore, I have baked them separately.

RECIPE NOTES

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
Can I make this baked herb chicken in advance?
Absolutely! Though this recipe does not call for marination, there is no harm in marinating the chicken legs overnight. This way, they will absorb more flavor.
For this, you can —
  • Combine the dry herbs and spices and store them in an air-tight container or a re-sealable plastic bag. Just add olive oil and rub over the chicken legs when ready to assemble.
  • You can marinate the chicken and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Before cooking, bring the chicken to room temperature by removing it from the fridge and keeping it on the counter for 30 minutes.
 
Can I store the leftovers and reheat them later?
Yes, you can! Completely cooled leftover herb-baked chicken legs can be stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 2-3 days.
To reheat, warm the chicken pieces in the microwave for a few seconds. Alternatively, reheat in the oven at 375°F until warmed through.
 
Can you freeze herb chicken?
Of course you can! The leftover chicken stays well in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
But the best part is, if you have leftover chicken drumsticks, you can freeze them in a freezer-friendly bag for later use.
To freeze — Transfer the cooled chicken legs to a freezer-safe bag. Seal it well and store it. The chicken stays well in the freezer for 1 month.
To reheat — Remove chicken from the freezer bag. Arrange the chicken legs on a greased baking tray and bake in a preheated (375°F) for 10-12 minutes or until warmed through. Serve hot.
 
Can I make this Baked herb chicken for a larger group?
You sure can! This recipe bakes 10 chicken drumsticks, but it can be customized accordingly to feed as many or as few people as needed.
Refer to the recipe card and simply double or triple the ingredients in the recipe to adjust the quantity of meat required to cook for the larger/more minor group.

NUTRITION

Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 442mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided above is approximate. Variations may exist due to the ingredients/brands used. These numbers should be considered estimates, as they are not calculated by a registered dietician.
Author: Ruchi
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Gluten-free

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Comments

  1. Kashish Arora says:

    5 stars
    Its is lip smacking. Really loved it.

    Thanks for sharing such wonderful recipe.