Italian Baked Chicken Legs with Potatoes & Onions

Italian baked chicken legs and thighs is a traditional recipe I grew up eating. My mum loved to make it both on a Sunday, but also as a weekday dinner. On Sundays, it would usually follow a tasty pasta dish.

This is a dish most Italians make on rotation because it’s easy, budget friendly for big families, it has minimum ingredients, and everyone loves it.

The best part of this recipe is how basic it is, yet the high quality ingredients like using a high quality extra virgin olive oil like Belmorso EVOO (or better Novello) will instantly elevate it. Replace dry rosemary with fresh and watch the magic occur, or shall I say smell :)? This recipe will infuse your kitchen with the best aromatic scent!

 

Baked Chicken Legs & Thighs FAQ

Is it better to bake chicken legs at 350 or 400?

The ideal temperature for baking chicken legs is around 180 to 200 degrees Celsius (which is approximately equivalent to 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit). The higher temperature helps the chicken legs develop a nice, crispy exterior while ensuring the inside is fully cooked and moist.

 

How long does it take for drumsticks to cook in the oven?

Baking chicken drumsticks at a temperature around 180 to 200 degrees Celsius usually takes about 40-50 minutes. However, the exact cooking time can depend on the size of the drumsticks and your specific oven.

 

Do you bake drumsticks covered or uncovered?

Chicken drumsticks can be baked uncovered to allow the skin to become crispy. However, if you notice the drumsticks are browning too quickly, you can loosely cover them with foil.

 

What temperature should chicken legs be cooked to?

Chicken legs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check this by using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the leg, not touching bone.

 

Should I flip chicken legs when baking?

Flipping chicken legs when baking can help them cook evenly and develop a nice crispy skin all around. So yes, if possible, it can be beneficial to flip the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time.

 

Should I cover chicken thighs with foil when baking?

Covering chicken thighs with foil when baking can prevent them from drying out and can help maintain a steady cooking temperature. However, if you want the skin to get crispy, you might want to remove the foil for the last part of the cooking time.

 

Easy Italian Baked Chicken Legs Recipe

Now that we’ve answered the most common questions, here is the recipe. Go gather your ingredients and let’s make it together!

Happy cooking.

 

 

 

Other Italian Chicken Dinners On The Blog

Browse all our chicken recipes here.