This is a list of 18 chicken leg recipes that your kiddos are actually going to approve of. There is just something about chicken that kids tend to gravitate toward, and when it's in chicken leg form, it makes them a lot easier for them to grab.

My kiddos have so much fun when there are chicken legs on the menu. This list also includes some quick tips on sides and leftovers so dinner does not turn into a negotiation.

1) Oven-Baked Honey-Garlic Chicken Legs

First on the list are oven-baked honey garlic chicken legs. These are going to have a sweet, sticky glaze that you will make from honey, soy sauce, and garlic. It's really flavorful, and it's a texture that your pickiest eaters are going to enjoy. You want to make sure that you pat your chicken dry first so the skin will actually crisp up when you cook it.

You're going to want to cook these in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes, and your leftovers will actually stay good for up to three days. That makes them a quick grab-and-go lunch for you and your kiddos during the week as well.

2) Crispy Panko-Parmesan Drumsticks

There is just something about parmesan cheese that kids naturally tend to gravitate toward, and these crispy panko parmesan drumsticks are no different. You're first going to dip these in an egg mixture and then coat them with a panko parmesan mixture, then bake them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes.

The really good part about coating your chicken with panko is it's going to give you that added crisp, so it almost feels like takeout chicken, but it's not. It's simple, and it's really easy to do at home, and that parmesan cheese is going to give you that extra burst of flavor that your kiddos are really going to enjoy.

3) One-Pan BBQ Ranch Chicken Legs

If you're anything like me, a one-pan dinner is a win in our house because it makes for really easy cleanup. These one-pan barbecue ranch chicken legs offer two familiar flavors that kiddos already like: barbecue sauce and ranch dressing.

You're going to bake these at 400 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You can also do an optional two-minute broil to really crisp up that skin. And cleanup will be a breeze doing this all on that single sheet pan.

4) Slow-Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks

Teriyaki chicken is really easy to throw together. If you've got picky eaters, or anyone like me who isn't a fan of the sticky teriyaki sauce, you can actually use a teriyaki marinade instead, giving you that same flavor for everyone to enjoy. These slow cooker teriyaki chicken drumsticks are going to cook on low for four to five hours, but if you're in a hurry, you can cook them on high for two to three hours.

You're then going to pull the sauce from the slow cooker and thicken it on the stove, then pour it back over the chicken. This is genuinely a hands-off dinner that finishes itself while you're busy, with an optional quick pan sear if you want even crispier skin.

5) Sheet-Pan Lemon-Herb Chicken Legs with Potatoes

Another sheet pan meal means easy cleanup. These lemon herb chicken legs with potatoes are sure to be a dish that your whole family is going to enjoy. You're going to roast your chicken with baby potatoes together at 425 for 35 to 40 minutes, with one flip halfway through.

Potatoes are really similar to French fries if you prepare them right, meaning that they are familiar to your picky eaters. You just want to make sure that you crisp up that skin really well so that it's more like a treat, like a French fry. That's the trick I do on my kids every single time, and they love it.

You want to make sure that you pat your chicken dry before putting it on the pan. That way it roasts and gives you a good crispy skin. You don't want to steam your chicken here.

And have fun with seasoning your potatoes. Try different things. Let the kiddos partake in seasoning your potatoes as well, and that tends to do the trick in getting them to eat them.

“If it works for my three picky kids on a Tuesday night, that’s the only review that matters.”

6) Buttermilk-Brined Crispy Skinned Chicken Legs

If you have time to soak your chicken legs in buttermilk for at least four hours, or overnight is even better, you will tenderize your meat and add a mild tang that kids enjoy without being able to identify what it is.

This recipe is for buttermilk-brined, crispy-skin chicken legs, and you are going to roast them at 425 for 35 to 40 minutes. Just make sure that your chicken is dry, since a hot oven with dry skin equals that perfect crunch, and that's a step you do not want to skip.

7) Sticky Maple-Soy Baked Drumsticks

Using maple in your recipes takes your kids back to breakfast, because they have either that memory tied to French toast or pancakes, and that is why these sticky maple soy baked drumsticks will work for a family dinner. You are going to line your pan with foil plus a wire rack to keep your bottoms from going soggy on this one.

Maple's natural sugars are going to caramelize at a lower temperature to give you that deep lacquered finish that is really going to make these ones pretty. You're going to cook these at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes. Flip and baste them halfway through.

8) Kid-Friendly Hidden-Veggie Tomato Sauce Chicken Legs

If you have picky eaters who refuse to eat their veggies, there are so many ways that you can actually sneak them in without them realizing it. That is exactly what this recipe for kid-friendly hidden veggie tomato sauce chicken legs does for you. Your kiddos are going to be getting good nutrition without realizing that they ate some really good veggies.

You are going to grate carrots and zucchini, then blend them right into your sauce, so they disappear completely. You want to brown your legs first and then bake them in the sauce at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes. A trick with this one is to simmer that sauce so that your veggies fully dissolve.

9) Air Fryer Buffalo-Less Drumsticks (Mild)

There is just something about buffalo sauce and chicken. It takes you right to that chicken wing flavor, but this one actually avoids the mess. These are air fryer buffalo-less drumsticks, making them a mild version and kid-friendly. You're going to mix in butter with your hot sauce in order to tame the spice, meaning that you are in control of that heat scale on this one.

Then you're going to air fry them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping them halfway through. That way both sides crisp up perfectly. Make sure that your internal temp on the chicken always hits 165, and you're good to go. This is a meal that you will want to make more than once.

10) Brown Sugar-Balsamic Glazed Chicken Legs

These brown sugar balsamic glaze chicken legs are going to have a really pretty glaze that makes them stand out. You want to dry your skin before seasoning these so that the glaze actually adheres. And what you're going to be left with is a dish that feels really fancy with minimal hands-on effort.

11) Creamy Chicken Leg Casserole with Peas

Casseroles are another great weeknight meal because they make for easy cleanup, similar to a one-pan cook. You are going to make this creamy chicken leg casserole with peas, and covering it for the first 30 minutes is what's going to keep your chicken moist. Then you're going to uncover it so that your breadcrumb topping on this one browns perfectly.

The part that makes this dish appealing to picky eaters is having that layer of cheddar cheese underneath that is going to get scraped up every single time. This mixed-together dish makes it really easy for your kiddos to eat and enjoy.

12) Parmesan-Crusted Drumsticks with Garlic Butter

Parmesan cheese again is going to be a hit with these parmesan-crusted drumsticks with garlic butter. You want to make sure to pat your chicken dry. That way, the crust adheres and stays really crisp, which is the part your kiddos are going to love.

Bake these at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes and brush them with a garlic butter halfway through, which gives you that extra flavor and also keeps your meat from drying out. Parmesan is a flavor that my kiddos love; whether it's on pasta, chicken, or pizza, they're gonna eat it up every single time.

13) Smoky Paprika and Sweet Potato Chicken Legs

Smoky paprika and sweet potato chicken legs are really easy to throw together. If you cut your sweet potatoes into even sticks and season them properly, you'll not only make them look like colorful French fries, but they'll also taste like a treat for your kids, making this dish a win for picky eaters.

Smoky paprika adds warmth to your chicken, but it is a seasoning that can easily be overdone. You want to apply it generously, but not be heavy-handed. At least that is what I have discovered through my own experience. If you want more, you'll know for next time.

You're gonna bake these at 425 for 35 to 40 minutes, turning them once, and you're ready to go.

14) Honey-Mustard Oven Roasted Drumsticks

Honey mustard is another ingredient that just goes well with chicken, and the kiddos love it, and this is really easy to throw together. You are going to make a simple marinade that you let sit for 10 to 15 minutes beforehand, which really deepens the flavor and helps that sweet, tangy combination come together, which the kiddos will enjoy.

You want to bake these at 425 for 35 to 40 minutes, and baste them once halfway through, when you flip.

15) Greek Yogurt Marinated Lemon-Oregano Chicken Legs

This is one dish that is going to feel fancy and look like it took a lot more effort than it actually did. Greek yogurt not only gives you that tangy flavor to your dish, but it is an added protein source, which is always a win in our house.

You want to make sure you marinate them for at least 30 minutes before baking, as the yogurt on your chicken before popping it in the oven will help your meat get genuinely juicy and bring out that lemon flavor. Be sure to pat your chicken dry; that way, the skin crisps up perfectly. Then you're going to bake these for 35 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees.

16) Cheesy Rice-Baked Chicken Leg Skillet

Most kiddos love cheese, and they love rice. That's why this cheesy rice baked chicken leg skillet is sure to go off without a hitch. You want to first brown your legs before adding in your rice and broth. You're then going to bake this at 375 for 35 to 40 minutes, keeping it covered for the first 30 minutes so that the rice doesn't dry out, then removing the foil to give you that really good crisp to finish it off.

This is another meal that they're not only going to eat up to the very last bite, but it looks like you put in a lot of effort. But it is a genuine low-effort one-pan dish that is going to be a hit every single time.

17) Crispy Cornflake-Coated Drumsticks

Cornflakes are such an underrated cereal, and they actually make for a very good chicken coating, which a lot of people don't realize. This is something that I have personally been doing in the kitchen with my mom since I was a kid. We always got such a kick out of dumping cereal into a bag, smashing it up, and then putting it on chicken. Your kiddos will love to do the same.

The secret with this one is to first coat your chicken in either egg or mayo before putting on those cornflakes, just to give you that serious crunch without having to fry them at all. You're going to bake these at 400 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes, turning once. And the really good part about these is you can reheat these leftovers, and those drumsticks are still going to hold that crunch better than you might expect.

18) Slow-Roasted Italian Herb Chicken Legs

Here is another dish that is going to feel fancy, but it's not. Roast these at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 to 70 minutes, checking that the chicken reaches at least 165 degrees away from the bone, then raise the oven to 425 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes to brown the skin. You can also put them under a broiler for two to five minutes, which will give you that same effect, but that option is totally up to you.

The whole method behind this one is keeping your meat tender while still getting real color and crunch at the end that your whole family is going to enjoy. You want to dry your chicken before broiling it, or that final crisp will fail. So that's something to keep in mind with this one.

Getting Kids to Try New Flavors

The whole thing about recipes like this is just getting your kids to try new flavors. So many people are quick to say that they have picky eaters who won't eat this or that, but the fact of the matter is that it can come down to just really simple swaps that you haven't thought of. So always try those first.

Another good thing is to give your kids a sense of control. You can do that by letting them help in the kitchen, letting them have a say in the flavor that they're after, and letting them see how it comes out when you cook it.

Some really easy swaps include using barbecue sauce instead of gravy or roasting a sweet potato instead of mashing it. Also, use panko breadcrumbs for that fun crisp that's light and airy compared to a heavy batter. You can try different sauces and flavors, and really just get them to try some new ones so it feels fun rather than a task.

Simple Swaps That Work

Easing Into Spices Without the Drama

Meal Prep Shortcuts for Busy Nights

Some meal prep shortcuts for busy nights that I love to keep in mind are shredding rotisserie chicken. Rotisserie chicken is really easy to pick up, and then you can shred it and use it for a variety of different meals, from tacos to rice bowls to quesadillas. You can toss it in salads or wraps too, so I really love to do that.

I also like to make sure I have airtight storage containers, especially when I'm prepping for the week. You can put them in those containers on a Sunday night, and chicken tends to last you pretty well up until Thursday, which is a win for us.

You can also make some meals ahead and freeze them. Just make sure that you do that in vacuum-sealed packaging, as that will hold in your flavors better. And then when you're in the middle of the week and have no idea what to cook, you have those meals stashed as great grab-and-go options that don't require any thinking power.

Using Leftover Chicken Legs

Freezer-Friendly Prep Tips

Keep reading

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