Baked Chicken Legs (Creamy and Spicy)
Baked Chicken Legs (Creamy and Spicy) — A creamy baked chicken boasting robust flavors smothered in a cream sauce with just 10 minutes of prep time. Perfect for busy weeknight meals or gatherings!

This easy-to-prepare creamy baked chicken legs recipe boasting tasty herbs, onion, garlic, and, of course, cream requires very little work. Satisfying and delicious for a weeknight meal the whole family will enjoy.
Browning the chicken first gives an extra flavor boost and adds richness to the finished sauce. But most of the preparation takes place in the oven for an easy-peasy main dish.
Versatile Baked Chicken Legs
Browning and baking the chicken gives you an even brown color. However, feel free to cook your chicken legs on the stovetop if you don’t want to heat up the oven. Spice the chicken and add your favorite poultry spices, or use salt, pepper, and Italian herbs for simplicity.
Or you can cook the chicken in the oven from start to finish. Whatever works best for you.

What You Need to Bake Delicious Creamy Chicken Legs
- Chicken Drumsticks – I love how juicy and forgiving the legs and thighs are. But you can use a whole chicken or just the breast. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Oil – Olive or canola oil to sear the chicken legs. If doing it all in the oven, smear it all over the chicken before seasoning so they brown better in the oven.
- Seasonings – Creole seasoning, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, and Italian herbs mix and match for a savory dish.
- Spicy Cream Sauce – Milk, heavy cream, chicken broth, smoked paprika, white pepper, parsley, and a pinch of salt deliver a decadent cream sauce that pairs great with more than just chicken. Try it on your pork chops and see for yourself.
How to Bake Creamy Chicken Legs

- Preheat oven to 450℉ (230℃).
- Prep Chicken – Rinse chicken legs, season them with seasoned salt and pepper, and set aside.
- Brown – Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or oven-proof skillet over medium until hot. Then add the chicken and brown, turning once or twice to ensure even brownness.
- Alternate Browing – Or place oiled and seasoned chicken legs on a rack and bake them in a 450℉ (230℃) oven for about 15 minutes.
- Saute Aromatics – Remove chicken and set aside. Drain excess oil, leaving a couple of tablespoons in the pan. Add onions, followed with the minced garlic, and stir for about 5 minutes.
- The Sauce – Add milk, cream, tomato sauce, paprika, white pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Bake – Place the chicken back into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serve – Adjust the sauce’s thickness and seasoning with broth and salt according to preference. Serve hot with rice or potatoes and your favorite veggies.
What Goes With Baked Chicken Legs
Serve these creamy and spicy baked chicken legs with roasted 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
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Mel, I used hunts tomato sauce, any tomato sauce would work. Let me know how it works for you.
This recipe looks really yum. What kind of tomato sauce did you use? Would homemade puree or bottled passata be ok?
made last night – SOOO yum! Used thighs and legs, just browned the thighs longer then the legs.
Thanks for the feedback Jen!
Yes please!!!
This was fancy restaurant good! I served with creamy mashed potatoes (drizzling the sauce on top) and collard greens with lemon and red chili pepper flakes. I added 1/2 C homemade beef bone broth to the Dutch oven before baking.
IN-credible! I will make this again next time we have a dinner party. – it will surely WOW our friends. Can I give a 5+?
The first time the chicken goes into the oven, should it bake at 350 or 450? You have the oven preheated to 350, so maybe 450 is a typo? Or is it 450 the first time, 350 the second time?
Shannon, the first time it should be baked at 450 degrees then 350 degrees the second time. Thanks for pointing it out to me.
Did you take the skin off the chicken or leave it on?
I left it on.
¼ olive oil or canola oil? 1/4 what? teaspoon? tablespoon? cup?
thanks.
Silly me. 1/4 cup recipe updated!
thank you! can’t wait to try this.
OMG. I do believe this was the best dinner entree I have ever made in my ENTIRE LIFE!!!! So dad blame delicious! My whole family just about lost their minds! I paired it with coconut rice and collard greens. Mercy. My mouth is watering. UM UM GOOD!!!!
That sounds so delicious! Yum! Now, I can’t wait to try it’s recipe!
Thanks! Do let me know how it works out for you!
I made this dish a couple weeks ago for a picky husband, and he LOVED it! I had to stop him when he walked to the kitchen to grab some soy sauce to put over the rice and I recommended he use the sauce from the chicken dish. He hesitated for a bit, tried a bite, then went back to the baking dish to add more sauce over his plate 🙂
I’m making this again tonight, looking forward to it!
Sara, so happy to hear it was a hit with your husband. Thanks for the feedback!
Alex, you’ve good eye, I added 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper . It is optional ! Will update recipe. Thanks
Wish you had updated the recipe, only because i was scrolling down the comments did i found out about the cayenne pepper
My bad!! What about the cayenne pepper?
I want to make this today and I’m wondering what makes this recipe spicy. I see two red spices in the pot. Are they both smoked paprika?
This recipe is great! Followed it exactly except I cooked the chicken legs in the over for a little longer and I added some fresh thyme. I will definitely make this again! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Just curious, what size is your cast iron skillet?
12 inch cast iron. I love it! Thanks for stopping by.
I love a simple one pot chicken dish, I’ve been doing alot of these lately. Looks amazing!!
The chicken is in the oven…i cant wait to taste it….
Hello!
I have a big request of. Is it possible to paste on page translator? Very will facilitate reading 🙂
Greetings from Polish :))
After instruction number 6, how long do you simmer the ingredients, and long will the chicken sit in the ingredients before putting in the oven. Thanks
Kelsey , you do not have to simmer or rest the chicken. Just place them in the oven and start checking after 25 minutes.
Heavy or whipping cream works fine. 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning . Thanks
Do you mean heavy cream( whipping cream)?, how many teaspoon Italian seasoning?
After instruction number 6. How long do you simmer the ingredients, and how long will the chicken sit in the ingredients before putting in the oven. Thanks