Baked Chicken Legs (Creamy and Spicy) — a creamy baked chicken that has robust flavors and a creamy sauce with just 10 minutes prep time. Perfect for busy weeknight meals or gatherings!
This is an easy to prepare creamy baked chicken legs recipe that is built around the foundation of herbs, onion, garlic, and of course cream. Very little prep work is required. Making it suitable for a tasty weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Browning the chicken first gives an extra flavor boost and adds richness to the finished sauce. Most of the preparation takes place in the oven.
Browning the chicken in the oven gives you an even brown color. However, you may brown the chicken stovetop before completing it in the oven. Make sure to heavily spice the chicken before proceeding with your favorite chicken spice or just use salt, pepper and Italian herbs. These chicken legs do not need to rest before browning.
Serve these creamy and spicy baked chicken legs with steamed veggies like carrots or green beans, and a side of rice or pasta, and voila…you have a lovely dinner!
Watch How To Make It
Spicy and Creamy Baked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 - 3 pound chicken drumsticks
- ¼ cup olive oil or canola oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon seasoned salt I used creole seasoning
- 1 onion diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic or 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Italian herbs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup cream heavy or whipping cream
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 -3 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Salt to taste.
Instructions
- Preheat oven 450 degrees
- Rinse chicken legs, season chicken with seasoned salt and pepper. Set aside
- In a large Dutch oven or large skillet heat oil over medium heat, until hot, and then add the chicken and brown . Turn chicken once or twice to ensure even brownness.
- Or place chicken on a rack and bake in the oven 450 degrees for about 15 minutes.
- Remove chicken and set aside. Drain oil and leave about 2 tablespoons
- Add onions, followed by minced garlic stir for about 5 minutes, then add cream, milk, tomato sauce, paprika, white pepper, Italian seasoning parsley, broth or water, salt and pepper
- Place chicken back onto cast iron skillet and bake in the oven for about 30-35 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
- Adjust sauce thickness and seasoning with water or broth, salt according to preference.
- Serve warm
Mrs. JONES says
Absolutely a smash hit. My husband loved this recipe as well as my son. It was easy meal to prepare. I paired this with mashed potatoes and sweet corn. Thank you Imma!!!
Amina says
Woohoo!!! It’s good to hear that our family likes this recipe. There are more amazing recipes available on the blog, I must say to try them and receive more compliments. Cheers!!!
Sasha McCall says
This recipe was a big hit tonight! I made with yellow rice and didn’t have tomato sauce so I used canned diced tomatoes with garlic. We spooned the sauce over the rice and it was BOMB! My only question is based on the measurements given, how can I make my sauce thicker? I omitted the milk and just used chicken broth and heavy cream but it was very watery vs thick….any suggestions?
imma africanbites says
Hi, Sasha. I suggest you include the milk as it helps thicken the sauce. But if in any case, you can thicken a cream-based sauce by whisking equal parts of cold water and cornstarch (or arrowroot). Then whisk the slurry into the sauce continuously until the cornstarch is well-incorporated and the sauce starts to thicken. Hope this helps.