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Crispy Ranch Chicken Whole Legs Recipe Easy Herb Crust for Perfect Dinner

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This recipe delivers crispy, herb-crusted whole chicken legs with a flavorful ranch seasoning blend. Perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner with juicy meat and crackling skin.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 whole chicken legs (drumstick + thigh), skin-on and bone-in, about 1.5 to 2 pounds total
  • 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix (dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine ranch seasoning, chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, minced garlic, lemon zest (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well.
  3. Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels.
  4. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken legs and rub thoroughly to coat evenly.
  5. Toss the chicken legs in the herb-ranch mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crust to the skin.
  6. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the chicken legs skin-side up, spaced apart. If no rack is available, place directly on a greased baking sheet.
  7. Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking.
  8. Check doneness with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the leg (should read 165°F or 74°C) or pierce the meat to ensure juices run clear.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  10. Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crispiness, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for best crispiness. Use a wire rack for even air circulation and crisp skin. Broil briefly at the end if more crispness is desired. Marinate chicken in herb-ranch mixture for 1-2 hours or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor. Avoid microwaving leftovers to maintain crisp skin; reheat in oven instead.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken, ranch chicken, whole chicken legs, herb crust, easy dinner, oven roasted chicken, family meal

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/crispy-ranch-chicken-whole-legs-recipe-easy-herb-crust-for-perfect-dinner/