Crunchy Breaded Baked Italian Chicken Legs are moist and flavorful. Pack them in your summertime picnic basket and everyone will be happy!
This is my updated riff on the old favorite of Shake ‘n Bake chicken from when I was growing up, way back when.
This recipe for Baked Italian Chicken Legs actually has nothing at all to do with the flavors of Shake ‘n Bake (which was far too salty for my taste). It is the preparation method that is the same. All the ingredients are put into a bag, the chicken is added, and then it’s time to shake and bake. What could be easier?
I’ll be honest with you, sometimes trying to take mouthwatering “beauty shots” of the food I make for the blog is harder for me than the making of the food itself. Some foods just don’t want to cooperate with the camera, and these Breaded Baked Italian Chicken Legs are one of those non-cooperative foods.
These Breaded Baked Italian Chicken Legs are so moist and tasty, and the recipe is so easy to follow. The fact that the pictures aren’t exactly mouthwatering isn’t bothering me all that much. Well, maybe just a tiny bit, but I’ll get over it because the chicken is just so darned finger licking’ good!
The ingredient list for making Breaded Baked Italian Chicken Legs is short and sweet. You’ll need;
*Note – You can find the full printable recipe card with complete instructions and ingredient measurements below.
- family size package of chicken legs (about 4 pounds)
- seasoned breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- dried basil
- dried oregano
- garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- olive oil spray
Follow the easy steps to make Breaded Baked Italian Chicken Legs;
Add all of the ingredients (except for the chicken legs and olive oil spray) into a large zip-top bag. Shake well to combine.
Bake the legs in a preheated 350-degree oven for 45 minutes or until the juices run clear. Remove the legs from the oven and cool completely and refrigerate OR serve the legs hot or at room temperature.
*Caution – Please remember not allow the legs to sit for more than 1½ – 2 hours at room temperature. If it’s extremely hot outside, make sure the chicken won’t sit out for longer than 45 minutes before being consumed.
Here is your printable recipe card for today’s Breaded Baked Italian Chicken Legs. If you enjoy this recipe and are anxious to give it a try, I’d appreciate if you’d take a moment to give this recipe some feedback by way of stars. Thank you so much!
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½ teaspoons coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 12 each chicken legs, skin on
- olive oil spray
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Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
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Place the first 7 ingredients into a gallon sized zip-top bag and shake well to combine.
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Rinse the chicken legs under slowly running water (to avoid splashing) and add them (3 or 4 legs at a time) to the bag with the breadcrumb mixture. Shake well to coat the chicken legs on all sides.
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Remove the coated legs from the bag and place the chicken legs on to baking sheet fitted with a rack.
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Continue the same process with the remaining legs and breadcrumb mixture.
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Spray each leg on all sides with a light coating of olive oil spray.
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Place the chicken legs into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the juices run clear. *Note - you can test this by perching a leg with a knife or skewer in the thickest part of the leg.
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Once cooked through you can serve the legs hot or allow them to cool slightly and serve them warm. If you're planning on serving them cold, cool them completely before wrapping them well and refrigerating until ready to eat.
Never allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for more than 1½ - 2 hours.
If serving the chicken on a very hot day, don't allow the chicken to sit for more than 45 - 60 minutes before consuming, and then refrigerate any leftovers immediately.
Wrapped well, this chicken will last in the fridge for up to 5 days.
As a side dish when serving these Breaded Baked Italian Chicken Legs, might I suggest the following recipes for;
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
you had me at Italian!!
Great idea to add the Italian flare in ths recipe. Love your glass too!
You're so right – some foods are way easier to photograph than others! But these look pretty darned good to me! Love the Italian flavors in the coating.
Oh I love this recipe! My kids always fight over the legs 🙂 Love the glass too!
My mum used to make shake 'n bake when I was a kid, but I know this homemade recipe would blow the packaged stuff out of the water!
The taste is what matters and I think your pics are great!
This is the chicken I grew up with, so tasty and love the spices. And I'm with you on the photography…brown food is the worst to photograph!
That's my favorite dish, it's great if I can eat them right now.
Good cook, i like chicken.