Indulge in a hassle-free one-pan meal with Baked Chicken Legs, perfectly roasted over seasoned carrots, onions, and garlic. An easy, flavorful dinner ideal for those cooking for one.
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
In a small baking dish, combine the chopped carrots, onions, and garlic. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then season with ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and a ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika. Toss everything together to evenly coat the vegetables, then set the dish aside.
In a small bowl, mix together the BBQ sauce, another tablespoon of olive oil, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper.
Place the chicken legs in another bowl and pour the BBQ sauce mixture over them. Use your fingers to ensure each drumstick is thoroughly coated with the sauce.
Arrange the sauce-coated chicken legs on top of the seasoned vegetables in the baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
After baking, remove the dish from the oven and cover it with foil. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken legs. Begin checking if the chicken is cooked after 35 minutes of baking. Continue baking if necessary until the chicken is fully cooked. For an accurate check, use an instant-read meat thermometer by inserting it near the bone of the chicken legs. The chicken is safe to eat when the thermometer reads 165°F.
For an enhanced flavor when roasting vegetables, include whole garlic cloves. Roasted garlic offers a buttery and milder taste compared to its raw counterpart, adding a delightful flavor to your dish.