Southern baked chicken legs are seasoned with a blend of Cajun and Montreal steak seasoning, then baked at 425°F with avocado oil. This method produces tender, flavorful meat. The chicken is cleaned by soaking in water and white wine vinegar before seasoning.
Here's how to bake chicken legs with seasoned skin using avocado oil and my homemade Louisiana Cajun spice blend, plus Montreal steak seasoning for the most flavorful chicken dinner. It's done in an hour and is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
I need to share that you don't have to deep-fry everything to get real Southern flavor. Baked chicken legs can be just as delicious when you know what you're doing.
The thing about a Southern chicken dinner is that it doesn't have to look like fried chicken to taste incredible. For this recipe, understanding that avocado oil isn't trying to crisp your skin like a deep fryer. It's a flavor binder. It carries those spices right into the chicken and keeps the skin from drying out. Combined with a Cajun and Montreal seasoning blend, you get layers of flavor.
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Prep (The Vinegar Soak)
Fill a bowl with cold water and add some white vinegar to the bowl. Place your chicken legs in there and let them soak for about 20-30 minutes. This vinegar cleaning method also tenderizes the chicken, making it tender and juicy. After the soak, pat everything completely dry.
The Seasoning
Mix your Cajun seasoning and Montreal steak seasoning together in a bowl. Cajun brings the heat and warmth, while the Montreal adds savory depth.
Rub that mixture all over every piece of chicken. Get it under the skin if you can. The avocado oil will lock all this in.
How to Make Southern Baked Chicken Legs
Step-by-step instructions:
- After soaking the chicken legs in water and vinegar. Coat them generously with the seasoning.
- Bake in the oven until they're completely done. The internal temperature should reach between 180°F and 185°F.
- Use tongs, a spoon, or a paper towel to remove any solidified juices that collect near the bone while cooking.
What to Serve
A Southern chicken dinner needs the right sides. If you're making baked chicken legs, especially on a weeknight, honestly, you could add oven-roasted broccolini and rice.
Or, serve with the most delicious creamy Southern macaroni salad or creamy Southern fried corn instead of rice.
Storage and Reheat
This chicken keeps in the fridge for about 3 days in an airtight container.
To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and into a preheated 375°F oven and heat until warm throughout.
You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. You can wrap the legs individually so you can pull out what you need. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
📖 Recipe
Easy Southern Baked Chicken Legs (Soul-Food Style)
Easy Southern Baked Chicken Legs (Soul-Food Style)Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken legs
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon Montreal steak seasoning (McCormick Grill Mates )
- 3 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (see my homemade Cajun seasoning blend)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Montreal steak seasoning already has salt, so we are only going with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt)
Instructions
- Fill a large bowl with water. Add vinegar.
- Place your chicken legs in the bowl and let them soak for 20-30 minutes. I soak them for 30 minutes.
- Drain the water from the bowl and pat the chicken legs with paper towels to absorb the excess moisture.
- Drizzle the avocado oil and sprinkle in the seasoning over the chicken.
- Massage the chicken legs until they're evenly coated with the seasoning. Give them a good massage.
- Place the chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place them in a preheated 425°F oven and bake for 54 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches between 180°F and 185°F. Note: Use tongs, a spoon, or a paper towel to remove any solidified juices that collect near the bone while cooking.
- Remove from the oven, coat them in the pan juices, and serve hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.
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