Maple-Mustard Baked Chicken Drumstick
Deliciously sweet, tangy, and smoky, these succulent Maple Mustard Chicken Legs offer a quick and simple dinner option with only a few ingredients. Ideal for preparation in either an oven or an air fryer!
If you seek a chicken recipe that is straightforward, flavorful, and adaptable, these Maple Mustard Chicken Legs could very well become your preferred choice.
The blend of sweet maple syrup, zesty mustard, and smoky paprika forms a robust glaze that adheres perfectly to the tender drumsticks.
Regardless of whether you bake them in the oven or crisp them in an air fryer, they provide a gratifying bite each time.
I enjoy preparing this dish for weeknight meals as it requires minimal effort yet feels special enough to serve to guests.
The glaze caramelizes exquisitely, enveloping the chicken in a sticky, golden finish, and the flavor? Envision a flawless harmony of sweet, tangy, smoky, and savory.
I take pleasure in making a large batch and bringing them to a potluck or game day gathering. They are so delicious that everyone appreciates the flavors, and they are even enjoyable cold the following day at a picnic!
Savor them for dinner alongside 4 Ingredient Pasta Salad and Melted Leeks for a complete meal.
The glaze caramelizes exquisitely, enveloping the chicken in a sticky, golden finish, and the flavor? Envision a flawless harmony of sweet, tangy, smoky, and savory.
I take pleasure in making a large batch and bringing them to a potluck or game day gathering. They are so delicious that everyone appreciates the flavors, and they are even enjoyable cold the following day at a picnic!
Savor them for dinner alongside 4 Ingredient Pasta Salad and Melted Leeks for a complete meal.
Versatile cooking techniques: You can either bake them in the oven or crisp them in an air fryer—it's your choice!
Crowd favorite: These drumsticks are popular among both children and adults.
Simple ingredients: Most of what you need is probably already in your pantry.
Make-ahead option: Marinate in advance to ease your workload on hectic days.
Ingredients
Chicken Legs: commonly referred to as drumsticks. If you are using frozen ones, ensure to thaw them safely in a container in the refrigerator overnight. Fresh or frozen chicken legs can be found in the meat or frozen section of your grocery store.
Oil: Opt for olive oil, canola oil, or your preferred cooking oil.
Maple Syrup: This ingredient adds sweetness to balance the marinade and caramelizes on the chicken legs.
Mustard: I utilized whole grain, but Dijon, yellow, English, and German varieties are also suitable.
Smoked Paprika: Contributes a deep, smoky flavor.
Dried Italian Herbs: Enhances the flavor profile of your chicken legs even further.
Salt: Essential for seasoning the chicken and enhancing all the flavors.
Refer to the recipe card for the complete method and ingredient quantities.
Instructions
If you are curious about how to prepare this maple mustard chicken legs recipe, rest assured, it is straightforward!
Simply adhere to this step-by-step photo guide. Then, scroll down to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and the recipe method.
Pat the drumsticks dry using a paper towel and place the legs in a large bowl. Incorporate the oil, maple syrup, mustard, paprika, herbs, and salt.
Toss the chicken legs in the marinade to ensure they are well coated. You can either cook them immediately or marinate the chicken by covering the bowl and refrigerating for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
To bake in the oven:
Begin by preheating the oven to 400°F.
Arrange the seasoned chicken legs in a single layer within a large rimmed baking dish.
Insert the dish into the oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the chicken legs are thoroughly cooked and the skin has achieved a light golden brown color.
TIP: To verify that the chicken legs are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F).
To air fry:
Position the chicken legs in the air fryer basket (cook in batches if the basket is limited in size).
Set the temperature to 380°F (190°C) and cook for 10 minutes, then use tongs to turn the drumsticks and continue cooking for an additional 7-8 minutes or until they are fully cooked.
Serving Suggestions
Classic accompaniments: Serve alongside roasted potatoes and Arkansas green beans.
Salad pairing: Complement with a refreshing side salad dressed in a tangy strawberry vinaigrette.
Rice bowls: Shred the chicken and serve it over rice with your preferred vegetables.
Wraps: Encase in flatbreads with lettuce and a spoonful of garlic yogurt.
Party platters: Present on a platter with dipping sauces for an appealing appetizer.
Variations
Alter the type of mustard used for a completely different taste. I opted for whole grain mustard, but alternatives include yellow, Dijon, or German mustard, among others...
Consider replacing the maple syrup with honey.
For those who enjoy a bit of heat, incorporate a splash of hot sauce into the marinade.
If time permits, marinate the chicken legs in a covered bowl in the refrigerator overnight.
Storage
Refrigeration: Keep any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 4 days.
Freezing: Cooked chicken legs can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator prior to reheating.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, preferably grade B
- 2 tablespoons peanut or canola oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4-41/2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces, (thighs, drumsticks and/or breasts), skin removed, trimmed (see Tip)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs , preferably whole-wheat
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large bowl, whisk together mustard, maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of oil, thyme, pepper, and salt. Add the chicken and turn it to ensure an even coating. Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 6 hours.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a wire rack on a large baking sheet.
3. On a plate, combine breadcrumbs with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Dredge the skinned side of each chicken piece in the breadcrumbs (for drumsticks, dredge the meatier side) and arrange them breaded-side up on the wire rack, ensuring there is at least 1 inch of space between each piece.
4. Bake until the chicken is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which should take about 35 to 40 minutes. Serve hot, or allow to cool, refrigerate, and serve chilled.
Tips:
When using a mix of thighs, chicken drumsticks, and breasts, it is advisable to cut each breast in half crosswise (prior to marinating) to create smaller pieces that are approximately the size of an average chicken thigh. Additionally, if whole legs are purchased, ensure to separate the chicken drumsticks from the thighs. When all pieces are of similar size, they will cook evenly.
To prepare 1 1/2 cups of fresh breadcrumbs, remove the crusts from about 3 slices of whole-wheat bread. Tear the bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs are formed.
MAKE AHEAD TIP: The chicken can be marinated for up to 6 hours. The baked chicken drumsticks can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.
The baked chicken drumstick recipe is ready to serve... delightful! Enjoy the celebration!
butter-baked-wings-and-drumsticks
