Sticky Spicy Baked Chicken Legs with a Hint of Marmalade

Sticky Spicy Chicken Legs Marmalade Glazed Goodness

By Chef MayaAugust 28, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy some proper good chicken legs ? Honestly, is there anything better than sticky, spicy, and savoury goodness? This recipe hits all those notes. Think your local takeaway but way better.

Brief Overview

Baked chicken legs are a staple across the globe. But this recipe gives a twist with a British marmalade glaze.

It's easy peasy, taking about an hour from start to finish. This recipe makes enough for 4 people (2 legs each) for a satisfying dinner .

Main Benefits

Chicken is a great source of lean protein. This Sticky & Spicy Baked Chicken Legs recipe is perfect for a casual weeknight meal.

What makes it special? The unique marmalade glaze and it’s one of my favorite recipes using chicken legs !

Get Ready For a Proper Chicken Feast!

You know, sometimes I get stuck on what to make for easy chicken dinner recipes . But I always crave something packed with flavour.

I was inspired by the classic British marmalade spread, and thought: "Why not put that on chicken legs ?" It's a real winner.

This is one of those recipes for chicken legs easy enough that anyone can nail it. It's about making something delicious without slaving away in the kitchen.

And trust me, you will love it!

Sticky & Spicy: Flavours That Pop!

The secret is the glaze. The sticky chicken legs get their magic from a delicious blend. Marmalade, soy sauce, honey, sriracha.

.. Sounds crazy, right? But honestly, it all works together like a dream. Plus you get some tasty Glazed chicken legs .

If you aren't keen on too much spice, no worries!. Just dial back the sriracha to suit your taste. The key is finding that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savoury.

And the chicken leg marinade makes all the difference. I tried using my grandmother's baked chicken drumsticks recipe but it was far from ideal.

Ingredients to Get You Started

Ready to cook? Here is what you will need to make the most of these chicken recipes legs drumstick :

8 chicken legs (about 2 lbs / 900g)
Olive oil, salt, pepper, and common spices.
Orange marmalade, soy sauce, honey, and sriracha for the glaze.

Ingredients & Equipment: Cracking the Chicken Legs Code

Alright, mates, let's talk about what you'll need to make these sticky chicken legs a reality. Honestly, it's nothing too fancy, promise.

We're talking everyday stuff you probably already have lurking in your cupboards. This baked chicken drumsticks recipe is more about flavour, not complicated equipment.

Chicken Legs Central: The Main Players

Chicken Legs : 8 beauties (approx. 2 lbs / 900g ). Look for plump chicken legs with good color. Avoid any that look bruised or discolored, alright? Remember, the fresher the better.
Olive Oil: 1 tbsp (15 ml) , just the regular stuff.
Salt: 1 tsp (5g) . A pinch of flavour.
Black Pepper: ½ tsp (2.5g) . Freshly ground always gives a better kick, you know?
Garlic Powder: 1 tsp (5g) . Because garlic makes everything better, innit?
Onion Powder: ½ tsp (2.5g) .
Paprika (sweet or smoked): ½ tsp (2.5g) . Smoked paprika adds a nice depth.
It should be a walk in the park easy chicken dinner recipes .

Glaze It Up: Seasoning Notes

Forget bland chicken recipes legs drumstick . This is where the magic happens. Our secret weapon? Marmalade. I know, sounds bonkers, but trust me.

It gives the glazed chicken legs a sweet and tangy edge that’s seriously addictive. It elevates chicken legs for a crowd

Orange Marmalade: ¼ cup (60g) – Seville orange marmalade is the king here.
Soy Sauce: 2 tbsp (30 ml) – Balances the sweetness.
Honey: 1 tbsp (15 ml) – Adds extra stickiness.
Rice Vinegar: 1 tbsp (15 ml) – For a bit of tang.
Sriracha: 1 tsp (5 ml) – Or any hot sauce you fancy. Go easy if you're not a spice fiend!
Garlic: 1 clove, minced (approx. 1 tsp / 5g) .
Ginger: 1 tsp, grated (approx. 5g) .
Sesame Oil: 1 tbsp (15 ml) .
Water: 1 tbsp (15 ml) . To loosen it all up, you see.

Quick sub tip: No sriracha? A pinch of chili flakes will do the trick.

Kit Up: Equipment Needed

Honestly, you don't need a fancy kitchen to pull this off.

Large Baking Sheet.
Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil. For easy clean-up. Trust me, you'll thank me later.
Large Bowl. For tossing the chicken legs in the seasoning.
Small Saucepan or Microwave Safe Bowl. For the glaze.

Alternatives? Don't have a baking sheet? A roasting tin works just as well. Forget a saucepan? Blast the glaze in the microwave, no worries.

Easy recipes for chicken legs easy and you're good to go! These are also perfect recipes using chicken legs dinners .

Sticky, Spicy and Downright Delicious Chicken Legs

Fancy some chicken legs that'll knock your socks off? Then these sticky and spicy baked beauties are just the ticket! Honestly, these are so easy, even after a long day dodging London traffic, you can whip them up.

Forget those bland recipes for chicken legs easy we're going big on flavour here. These chicken recipes legs drumstick are perfect for a casual get-together, or even just a cracking Tuesday night dinner! Plus, they are great chicken legs for a crowd .

Prep Like a Pro

Mise en place , my friends, mise en place ! Chop that garlic, grate that ginger, get everything in its place. Makes life so much easier.
Mix your dry spices together in advance. Boom! Time saved.
Chicken can be a bit dodgy. Wash your hands. Seriously. And your surfaces!

step-by-step to Chicken Perfection

Blast that oven to 400° F ( 200° C) . Grab that baking sheet and line it with parchment. Easy cleanup is always a winner.
Pat those chicken legs dry. Honestly, this is key to crispy skin. Don't skip this step!
Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil . Then, in a bowl, toss the chicken legs with 1 tsp salt , ½ tsp black pepper , 1 tsp garlic powder , ½ tsp onion powder , and ½ tsp paprika .
Lay 'em out on the baking sheet. Don't overcrowd!
Bake for 25 minutes . Time for a cuppa!
Whisk together ¼ cup orange marmalade , 2 tbsp soy sauce , 1 tbsp honey , 1 tbsp rice vinegar , 1 tsp sriracha , 1 minced clove garlic , 1 tsp grated ginger , 1 tbsp sesame oil , and 1 tbsp water . Microwave it all for 30 seconds intervals!
Brush that glaze all over the chicken legs . Get in every nook and cranny!
Bake for another 15- 20 minutes , or until the internal temp hits 165° F ( 74° C) .

Pro Chicken Tips

Got some time? Marinate those chicken legs in the glaze for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight!) for extra flavour.
Undercooked chicken is a no-no. Use a meat thermometer. Don't be a cowboy.
Fancy a bit of char? Pop them under the broiler for a minute or two at the end. Watch them like a hawk! Don't burn them. Burnt food is not the way.

These baked chicken drumsticks recipe are genuinely amazing. I remember the first time I made these, I had a proper 'mare' trying to get the glaze right.

Now, it’s my go to easy chicken dinner recipes . Give these recipes for chicken legs in the oven a go, you won't regret it! These glazed chicken legs are a true winner, and even better? It uses everyday ingredients found in most stores.

So stop with those simple and boring meals, and upgrade your dinners using recipes using chicken legs .

Recipe Notes: Little Tips for Champion Chicken Legs

Alright, let's talk shop about these sticky chicken legs . Honestly, even a simple recipe can be tweaked to perfection! These notes will help make your chicken recipes legs drumstick the best on your street!

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro

How you serve your chicken legs for a crowd matters! Think about the colours. A vibrant green salad next to those gorgeous glazed chicken legs ? Yes, please!

For sides, my go-to is creamy mash. Or maybe some roasted veggies. And don't forget a drink! A crisp apple cider cuts through the richness.

Presentation is key, even for a simple supper. I once served baked chicken drumsticks recipe on a wooden board, and everyone went bonkers for it!

Storage Tips: Keepin' It Fresh

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Pop those recipes using chicken legs dinners into an airtight container. They'll keep in the fridge for up to three days.

For longer storage, freezing is an option. Let the chicken cool completely first. Then, wrap each leg individually. Reheat in the oven for the best results.

Reheating easy chicken dinner recipes is a breeze! Just make sure they're piping hot.

Variations: Spice It Up!

Fancy a change? Here are some ideas. For a gluten-free option, swap soy sauce for tamari. Want to go dairy-free? Easy! Just ensure to use margerine instead of butter.

You can get creative with the chicken leg marinade , too! For seasonal swaps, try using apricot jam instead of marmalade in summer.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness Inside

These glazed chicken legs are a decent source of protein. Essential for building and repairing muscles. They also contain vitamins and minerals.

Watch the sugar content though! That glaze is delicious, but it adds sweetness. Overall, a balanced meal that tastes amazing! Always remember to eat your greens with recipes for chicken legs in the oven !

So there you have it. All the insider tips to make this recipe shine. Don't be afraid to experiment with that recipes for chicken legs easy .

Most importantly, have fun. Now, go on and make some deliciousness! Enjoy your sticky chicken legs !.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make sure my chicken legs aren't dry? No one wants a chicken leg that tastes like cardboard!

Nobody wants that, absolutely! Patting your chicken legs dry before seasoning is key, as is avoiding overcrowding on the baking sheet. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer, and letting them rest for 5 minutes after cooking helps retain those lovely juices.

Basting them with the glaze throughout the baking process also gives a moist result.

Can I use different cuts of chicken with this recipe, or is it specifically for chicken legs?

While this recipe is designed with chicken legs in mind for the best crispy skin to meat ratio, you can adapt it for other cuts. Chicken thighs would be the most similar and require a similar cooking time. For chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time significantly as they cook faster and can dry out easily.

Just keep an eye on the internal temperature.

How can I make these sticky and spicy baked chicken legs even crispier? My family loves a good crunch!

For that extra bit of crunch, try broiling the chicken legs for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly under the broiler! Making sure the chicken skin is completely dry before seasoning is also super important. An even layer of oil also helps with crisping.

What's the best way to store leftover cooked chicken legs?

Store any leftover chicken legs in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll keep well for 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave them (although they might lose some crispness) or reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

You can add a bit of the glaze before reheating to keep them moist.

I don't have marmalade; can I substitute anything else in this chicken legs recipe?

Absolutely! If you're out of marmalade, a good orange jam or preserve makes a great substitute. You could also use apricot jam or even a bit of orange juice concentrate mixed with honey. The key is to get that citrusy sweetness to balance the spice.

Are these chicken legs healthy? What's the nutritional breakdown?

Chicken legs are a good source of protein! However, this particular recipe does have added sugar from the marmalade and honey, and some sodium from the soy sauce. We've included an estimated nutritional breakdown in the recipe details, but remember these are just estimates.

You can tweak the recipe to make it healthier for example, reducing the amount of honey or using a low-sodium soy sauce.