Lemon Pepper Butter Chicken Legs
Lemon Pepper Butter Chicken Legs
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 chicken legs
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Lemon Pepper Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons green seasoning, (e.g., blend of herbs like parsley, cilantro, thyme, garlic, onion)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 lemon, zested
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, make 2-3 shallow scores across the skin of each chicken leg. This helps the seasoning penetrate and allows for crispier skin.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
In a small bowl, combine the lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle the chicken legs with olive oil, then generously sprinkle the seasoning mix over all surfaces of the chicken.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Using gloved hands, thoroughly rub the seasoning into the chicken legs, ensuring it gets into the scored cuts and under the skin where possible. Arrange the seasoned chicken legs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Bake the chicken legs for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is deeply browned and crispy. For extra crispiness, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 40 min•🌡️ 400
- 6
While the chicken is baking, prepare the lemon pepper butter sauce. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the unsalted butter.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Once the butter is melted, add the green seasoning, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest to the pan. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Keep the sauce warm while the chicken finishes cooking.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and arrange it on a serving plate. Pour the prepared lemon pepper butter sauce generously over the chicken legs. Optionally, use a pastry brush to spread the sauce evenly.
⏱️ 2 min
- 10
Serve immediately and enjoy your juicy Lemon Pepper Butter Chicken Legs!
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Lemon Pepper Butter Chicken Legs
For the Chicken
- 4 chicken legs
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Lemon Pepper Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons green seasoning, (e.g., blend of herbs like parsley, cilantro, thyme, garlic, onion)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 lemon, zested
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, make 2-3 shallow scores across the skin of each chicken leg. This helps the seasoning penetrate and allows for crispier skin.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
In a small bowl, combine the lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle the chicken legs with olive oil, then generously sprinkle the seasoning mix over all surfaces of the chicken.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Using gloved hands, thoroughly rub the seasoning into the chicken legs, ensuring it gets into the scored cuts and under the skin where possible. Arrange the seasoned chicken legs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Bake the chicken legs for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is deeply browned and crispy. For extra crispiness, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 40 min•🌡️ 400 - 6
While the chicken is baking, prepare the lemon pepper butter sauce. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the unsalted butter.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Once the butter is melted, add the green seasoning, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest to the pan. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Keep the sauce warm while the chicken finishes cooking.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and arrange it on a serving plate. Pour the prepared lemon pepper butter sauce generously over the chicken legs. Optionally, use a pastry brush to spread the sauce evenly.
⏱️ 2 min - 10
Serve immediately and enjoy your juicy Lemon Pepper Butter Chicken Legs!