Cheesy Chicken Legs Recipes

BRAISED CHICKEN LEGS WITH CHEESY POLENTA AND SAUTEED GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Place the lemon and onion slices in a baking pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Place the chicken on top and sprinkle with the oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the chicken. Rub the chicken to coat evenly with seasonings. Place under broiler to lightly brown the chicken skin, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove chicken from broiler and set oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Pour the stock and wine into the pan and cover tightly with foil. Braise chicken in the oven until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow chicken to rest in baking pan, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place a large saucepan over high heat. Add the milk and 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly to prevent lumping. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking occasionally to prevent sticking, until polenta is done, approximately 45 minutes. Add the cheese, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Place a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is preheated add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the greens. Season lightly with some of the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss with tongs, lowering heat if necessary to prevent burning, until wilted and tender, then check the seasoning and adjust to your taste.
• Preheat the broiler. Remove chicken from roasting pan and place on an ovenproof sheet pan. Remove and discard the onions and lemons. Pour the liquid from the roasting pan into a small saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 1 cup. Place chicken in broiler and cook until skin becomes golden and very crispy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Spoon 3/4 cup polenta onto each of 4 to 6 large plates, then place 1/2 cup greens on top of each followed by a chicken leg. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the reduced chicken cooking liquid over the top of the chicken.

CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN LEGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place chicken legs in a large bowl. Spread chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and salt onto the chicken; pour sauce over top. Mix thoroughly and transfer to a baking sheet.
• Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 45 to 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

CHEESY CHICKEN LEGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• In the Ziploc bag, combine the bread crumbs, parmesan, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder.
• Brush each chicken piece with the olive oil, then drop singly, into the crumb mix in the Ziploc bag and shake well to coat.
• Place each coated chicken piece together on an UNgreased cookie sheet.
• Bake in the preheated 375°F oven for 1 hour or until the chicken is 170° and the juices run clear.
• Variations: This is a hugely versatile recipe, where seasonings are interchangeable depending on the type of cuisine you're aiming for --.
• Make it a little Italian by swapping out the paprika for some italian seasoning; Make it a little Tex-Mex by swapping out the paprika and garlic powder for chili powder and ground cumin -- you get the idea.
• If you're anything like many cooks, you probably have all kinds seasonings lurking in your cupboard; Throw caution to the four winds and experiment a little -- see what you come up with!

CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS WITH BROCCOLI ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the oil, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add the drumsticks and toss to coat in the spice mixture. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and roast, flipping halfway through, until the skin is crisp and golden and the drumsticks register 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring the chicken broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the broccoli, orzo, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is al dente and the broccoli begins to get very soft, about 15 minutes. If the pan starts to look too dry, add another splash of chicken broth. Stir in the Parmesan, then use the back of a wooden spoon to slightly mash the broccoli, breaking it up into very small pieces.
• Serve the drumsticks over the broccoli orzo and garnish with more Parmesan.