15 Mouthwatering Ways to Cook Chicken Legs for Dinner

Chicken legs are an extremely versatile and budget-friendly cut of meat. Not only are they full of flavor, but chicken legs are difficult to overcook thanks to their higher fat content and connective tissue. This makes them the perfect protein for weeknight meals when you want something quick and easy.

Whether you prefer juicy baked chicken legs, crispy fried chicken legs, or falling-off-the-bone slow cooked chicken legs, there are endless delicious options for preparing this underrated cut. Here are 15 mouthwatering ways to cook chicken legs for your next dinner.

1. Baked Chicken Legs

One of the simplest ways to prepare chicken legs is to bake them in the oven. This hands-off cooking method yields juicy, tender chicken legs in under an hour without much effort. All you need is chicken legs, olive oil, and your favorite seasonings.

Some popular seasonings for baked chicken legs include garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, rosemary, lemon pepper, and cajun seasoning. Coat the chicken legs with oil and seasoning, arrange on a baking sheet, and bake at 400°F until cooked through and golden brown. The possibilities are endless when it comes to seasoning baked chicken legs.

2. Fried Chicken Legs

For the ultimate crispy and juicy chicken legs, fry them up in a pan or deep fryer. Chicken legs hold up wonderfully to frying thanks to their fat content and skin. Dredge them in flour, cornstarch, or crunchy breadcrumbs before frying until golden brown and delicious.

Fried chicken legs are fantastic on their own but also pair well with homemade dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, blue cheese, or barbecue sauce for even more flavor Make a meal out of it by serving fried chicken legs with mashed potatoes, biscuits, coleslaw, or mac and cheese.

3. Grilled Chicken Legs

Fire up the grill for succulent grilled chicken legs with crispy charred bits. Chicken legs are perfect for grilling since they don’t dry out quickly like chicken breasts. Grill them over direct high heat for a couple minutes per side to get grill marks. Then move them to indirect heat to finish cooking through.

Brush grilled chicken legs with barbecue sauce or other marinades in the last few minutes of cooking for a boost of flavor. Try bold rubs like jerk seasoning, tandoori spices or cumin for global flair. Grilled chicken legs pair wonderfully with summer sides like corn on the cob potato salad, and watermelon.

4. Slow Cooker Chicken Legs

For fall-off-the-bone tender chicken legs let your slow cooker do all the work. Simply add chicken legs to the slow cooker with sauce or seasoning and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours until supremely tender.

Slow cooker chicken legs pair perfectly with flavorful braising liquids like barbecue sauce, salsa, teriyaki, Italian dressing, wine, or chicken broth. Throw in vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic for a complete meal. Shred the tender chicken legs at the end for tacos, sandwiches, casseroles, and more.

5. Chicken Leg Quarters

Chicken leg quarters consist of a chicken thigh and drumstick attached, giving you a good amount of juicy meat. Braise, roast, or grill chicken leg quarters using your favorite seasonings and cooking methods until done.

Chicken leg quarters are economical, easy to cook, and contain a good ratio of dark meat. Make them Greek-style with lemon, oregano, and olives or give them an Italian flair with rosemary, garlic, and Parmesan. Roasted chicken leg quarters pair wonderfully with roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and squash.

6. Chicken Paprikash

For a comforting chicken leg stew, try chicken paprikash. This Hungarian dish features chicken legs braised with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and the key ingredient – paprika. Simmer everything together until the chicken legs are fall-off-the-bone tender.

The sweet paprika provides rich flavor and a beautiful red color to the stew. Finish it off with a dollop of sour cream to balance the spices. Chicken paprikash is delicious served over buttery egg noodles or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious paprika sauce.

7. Chicken Cacciatore

Transform chicken legs into an Italian classic – chicken cacciatore, also known as hunter-style chicken. This rustic braise features chicken legs cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, white wine, herbs, and mushrooms.

As the chicken legs simmer away in the sauce, they become incredibly tender and permeated with flavor. Chicken cacciatore is usually served over pasta, polenta, or zucchini noodles. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for authentic Italian flair.

8. Coq Au Vin

For a fancy French take on braised chicken legs, try coq au vin. This elegant dish combines chicken legs with bacon, mushrooms, pearl onions, garlic, red wine, and herbs like thyme and bay leaves.

As everything simmers together, the chicken legs absorb all the incredible flavors. The red wine imparts a deep, rich flavor and color to the stew. Serve coq au vin with buttery mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or buttered noodles for a Parisian-inspired dinner.

9. Jerk Chicken Legs

Infuse chicken legs with the signature spices of Jamaica with jerk chicken legs. The flavorful dry rub contains warm spices like allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, brown sugar, and more.

Rub the zesty spice mix all over the chicken legs before grilling or baking until caramelized and tender. The spices form a lovely crust on the outside while keeping the meat moist and full of flavor. Cool down the heat with some mango salsa and coconut rice.

10. Chicken Adobo Legs

For a Filipino take on chicken legs, try chicken adobo. This popular dish features chicken legs braised in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaves.

The bright, tangy flavors of the braising liquid infuse the chicken legs as they gently simmer. Chicken adobo is typically served with steamed rice to soak up the savory sauce. Garnish with sliced scallions for a pop of color and freshness.

11. Chicken Leg Casserole

When you need a hearty, comforting chicken leg dish, whip up a chicken leg casserole. Simply layer chicken legs, vegetables, and rice or pasta in a baking dish and top with cheese and condensed soup.

Some classic chicken leg casserole combinations include chicken legs with rice, broccoli, cheddar cheese, and cream of chicken soup or chicken legs with egg noodles, peas, mushrooms, and cream of mushroom soup. Bake until bubbly for a satisfying one-dish meal.

12. Chicken Leg Pot Pie

For the ultimate comfort food, make chicken leg pot pie. Fill a pie crust with tender chicken legs, vegetables, gravy, and seasonings. Top with a second pie crust and bake until golden brown.

The flaky, buttery crust combined with savory chicken and vegetable filling is pure bliss. You can use refrigerated or homemade pie dough to make this childhood throwback meal. Serve chicken pot pie with a side salad for a well-rounded dinner.

13. Chicken Leg Curry

Chicken legs pair wonderfully with the complex flavors of curry powder in a homemade chicken curry. Sauté aromatics like onion, garlic, and ginger. Then add chicken legs, curry powder, and veggies like potatoes and chickpeas.

Simmer everything in coconut milk until the chicken is fall-apart tender and soaked with flavor. Garnish your chicken leg curry with cilantro, chutney, and naan for a complete Indian-inspired meal. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

14. Chicken Leg Fajitas

For a quick and easy Tex-Mex dinner, transform chicken legs into sizzling chicken leg fajitas. Season chicken legs with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and lime juice. Grill or sauté with sliced bell peppers and onions.

Pile the smoky chicken and veggies into warm tortillas and top with all your favorite fixings like guacamole, salsa, cheese, sour cream, and cilantro. Chicken leg fajitas are easy to customize to every diner’s preferences.

15. Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks consist of just the meaty thigh portion without the bone. The small size makes them perfect for snacking and they contain a high ratio of skin to meat for extra crispiness when cooked.

Some classic ways to prepare chicken drumsticks include battering and frying, coating in sticky barbecue sauce and baking, or smothering in buffalo wing sauce and serving with blue cheese dip. Kids and adults alike will devour these hand-held chicken drumsticks.

With endless flavors, cooking methods, and serving possibilities, chicken legs are an extremely versatile ingredient for weeknight dinners. Next time you need an easy protein, try whipping up one of these mouthwatering chicken leg recipes. Your family will never get bored with so many delicious ways to enjoy this budget-friendly cut of meat.