Description
Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs feature juicy drumsticks coated in a sweet-and-tangy glaze made with pure maple syrup, fresh orange juice, and zesty spices. This easy oven-baked recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort, perfect for a cozy family dinner or a casual get-together.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken
- 8 chicken legs (drumsticks), skin-on
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Maple Citrus Glaze
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
For Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Orange slices
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels, then place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and black pepper, and toss until evenly coated.
- Mix the Glaze: In a medium bowl, combine the maple syrup, orange juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, minced garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Whisk together until well blended.
- Coat the Chicken: Arrange the chicken legs on a large, rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Brush each drumstick generously with the maple citrus glaze, ensuring all sides are coated.
- Bake: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, flipping and basting with more glaze halfway through baking, until the skin is golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the chicken legs from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and orange slices if desired. Serve warm with extra glaze from the pan if you like.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for drumsticks; just adjust the cooking time as needed.
- For extra caramelization, broil the chicken for 2–3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
- The glaze can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables or mashed sweet potatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 chicken legs
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
