Recipe Roundup

Our 37 Favorite Chicken Leg and Drumstick Recipes

We'll always choose these juicy chicken parts over chicken breasts.
Photo of one of our favorite chicken leg recipes sheet pan Honey Mustard chicken legs. One of our favorite easy chicken...
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

Before you plan your meals for the week, take a peek in your freezer. Need chicken leg recipes? Chicken drumstick recipes? We can help you use up whatever cut you've got. (We've put the chicken thigh recipes over here.) Below, you'll find 37 delicious chicken leg and drumstick ideas, including comforting stews and curries, easy sheetpan dinners, crispy oven-fried chicken, and much more.

  • Photo of a Honey Mustard Chicken Sheet Pan dinner.
    Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    1/37

    Double-the-Mustard Chicken With Potatoes and Greens

    Chicken leg recipes are among our favorite weeknight dinners, especially when they make chicken as flavorful as this tangy dish. Dijon mustard mixed with honey serves as a sweet-tart marinade, while whole-grain mustard adds dynamic pops of flavor to the dressing.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou
    2/37

    Roast Chicken Legs with Lots of Garlic

    If you have the time, season the chicken with salt the night before and chill uncovered so the skin will dry out a bit. Doing this helps the chicken take on a nice golden finish.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    9/37

    Curried Chicken Drumsticks

    Braise chicken legs in a golden, aromatic coconut broth, then toss rice noodles with the warmly spiced braising liquid to serve.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Claire Saffitz
    10/37

    Yogurt-Braised Chicken Legs With Garlic and Ginger

    Chicken legs are seared until golden-brown and then slowly braised in yogurt spiked with garlic, ginger, and lots of spices until falling-off-the-bone tender.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
    11/37

    One-Pan Chicken Drumsticks with Rice and Beans

    Clean out your pantry with this customizable one-pan chicken drumstick dinner, seasoned with whatever spices you happen to have on hand.

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  • Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    12/37

    Za’atar Chicken With Garlicky Yogurt

    This one's a keeper: Garlic- and lemon-infused pan dripping are mixed into a citrusy za’atar oil and spooned over tender chicken.

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  • Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Frances Boswell
    13/37

    Coconut Milk–Braised Chicken

    Chicken leg recipes don't have to be boring to be simple. This one requires no searing, no chopping, and only one baking dish. But it's zingy with lemongrass, earthy from Thai curry paste, and warming from smashed fresh ginger.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    14/37

    Cider-Braised Chicken With Apples and Kale

    Mustard-rubbed chicken legs get super-tender when braised in apple cider and white wine for this cozy dinner. Curly kale makes a great side dish for this chicken dinner, but you can use whatever greens you have on hand.

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  • Photo by Chelsie Craig
    21/37

    Easiest Chicken Adobo

    For adobo that’s sweet, salty, tangy, garlicky, and ready in a fraction of the time, don’t peel and slice each garlic clove: Just cut open a whole head and simmer it in the sauce. This recipe calls for a mix of drumsticks and thighs, but you can cut apart whole chicken legs, or just use all drumsticks if that's what you have around.

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  • Gina Homolka
    22/37

    Buttermilk Oven "Fried" Chicken

    This baked version of classic fried chicken is not only healthier, it makes less of a mess of your kitchen.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    23/37

    Roast Chicken With Sorghum and Squash

    Sorghum is a gluten-free grain, with a texture similar to wheat berries, barley, and millet—so feel free to substitute those for this chicken recipe instead.

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  • Danny Kim
    24/37

    Braised Chicken With Kale

    Serve this flavorful braise over plain rice to soak up all of its paprika-laced broth. If you don't have kale on hand, you could substitute spinach, chard, or collards.

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  • Ditte Isager
    35/37

    Apricot-Glazed Chicken

    The overnight marinade means you just have to pop these deliciously sticky drumsticks in the oven when you're ready. It also means that they're packed with classic sweet-and-sour flavors that appeal to younger palates.

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  • Roland Bello
    36/37

    Deviled Chicken Drumsticks

    Though they're quite irresistible right out of the oven, these moist and juicy drumsticks (with a slight kick) are perfect picnic food, since they're also terrific cold or at room temperature.

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  • 37/37

    Oven-Baked Drumsticks

    Some old chicken drumstick recipes really still stand up. Breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, and oregano combined with plenty of butter make for a delicious chicken dinner.

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