Chicken leg recipes: 11 delicious ways to eat them

Chicken leg recipes are a versatile and cheap way to use this tasty meat. When cooked in the right way they are full of flavour! Check out our top ten chicken leg recipes that will make you see chicken legs in a different way!

Chicken legs are succulent cuts of meat that can hold buckets of flavour. These recipes will show you just how easy they are to cook.

Chicken legs are often a lot cheaper than chicken breasts and are an excellent choice if you sometimes find the breast meat a little dry. With the right cooking, chicken legs provide juicy meat that is full of flavour. Chicken legs work particularly well roasted or fried but they are also delicious barbecued. Leave them to marinade overnight to achieve the best flavour.

With the right cooking, chicken legs provide juicy meat that is full of flavour. Chicken legs work particularly well roasted or fried but they are also delicious barbecued.

We have lots of chicken recipes (opens in new tab) including creamy risotto, comforting casserole and speedy stir-fry. However, the following 11 recipes will help you make the most of the chicken legs, a cut of meat that is usually overlooked. In most of the recipes you’ll see that you can use chicken thighs instead of the leg or a combination of the two.

We hope that the recipes will inspire you to appreciate the chicken legs a little more! Chicken legs can be used to make hearty foods that please the whole family. From easy one pot roast dinners, to light broths and hearty pies, the leg meat is incredibly versatile. You’ll never throw left over leg meat from your roast dinner away ever again!

You can buy chicken legs in most supermarkets for a reasonable price. You can buy them deboned and with or without skin which might suite certain recipes or your personal preference.

Click through the gallery to see all of our favourite chicken leg recipes...

Slimming World’s green curry chicken drumsticks

Give the ultimate picnic food a Thai twist by serving up these spicy-coated chicken legs at your next barbecue or picnic, they’re sure to be a hit. This healthy Slimming World recipe lets you enjoy classic finger-food, guilt-free!

Get the recipe here (opens in new tab).

Roast chicken with potato wedges

This recipe has just five ingredients! It is another easy-peasy recipe that is perfect for in the week. You could add garlic and shallots to the roasting chicken if you please, but it is also delicious without.

Get the recipe: Roast Lemon chicken with Potato Wedges (opens in new tab)

Maple-glazed chicken with butternut squash

Chicken legs can help you save money and they make a delicious dinner. If you don't have any maple syrup for the sticky glaze, try using honey instead. This recipe is cheap to buy and easy to cook, what more could you want?

Get the recipe: Maple Glazed chicken with Butternut Squash (opens in new tab)

Chicken and vegetable bake

This is a fuss free recipe that will put a smile on everyone's face around the table. Simply chuck all the chopped ingredients into a large roasting tin and put in the oven. You can serve gravy with this dish and could use thighs instead of legs if you prefer.

Get the recipe :Chicken and Vegetable Bake (opens in new tab)

Chicken noodle broth

A classic homemade broth is the perfect comfort food for a rainy day. This low-fat lunch or dinner will keep you satisfied for hours afterwards thanks to its high protein ingredients. It is a handy way to use up left over vegetables and meat from a roast dinner and can even be frozen!

Get the recipe: Chicken Noodle Broth (opens in new tab)

Gordon Ramsay's jerk chicken

Gordon Ramsay's quick and easy marinade adds buckets of flavour to your chicken legs. The trick is leaving the chicken to marinade as long as possible, overnight if possible. Serve with a fresh salad or homemade chips for a treat!

Get the recipe: Gordon Ramsay's Jerk Chicken (opens in new tab)

Chicken and mushroom pot pies

Can you guess the cheat ingredient in this super easy chicken pot pie recipe?

The creamy pies are oozing with flavour and are a great way to use up left over leg meat. They are a perfect winter warmer or they can be enjoyed in the fresh spring sunshine with seasonal greens like asparagus.

Get the recipe: Chicken and Mushroom Pot Pies (opens in new tab)

Chicken with parsley pesto

This recipe uses walnuts instead of pine nuts with the parsley to make the pesto. If you have any left over or want to make it in advance, the pesto will store in the fridge for up to two days. Serve with a simple salad and some crusty bread.

Get the recipe: Chicken with Parsley Pesto (opens in new tab)

Baked spiced chicken with pomegranate

These only take 20 minutes to cook and can be served alongside couscous, salad or chips. The pomegranates in this recipe add a burst of sweet flavour to the chicken which is just delicious.

Get the recipe: Baked spiced chicken with pomegranate (opens in new tab)

Chicken drumstick roast

This recipe is well worth waiting 55 minutes for it to cook. It works well as a filling dinner for all the family or you could try it as a hearty weekend lunch.

Get the recipe: Chicken drumstick roast (opens in new tab)

Chicken drumsticks with sweet potato wedges and chimichurriChicken drumsticks with sweet potato wedges and chimichurri

This delicious chicken drumstick dish works well as a filling dinner for all the family. This recipe pairs chicken drumsticks with sweet potato wedges and chimichurri, a herby green sauce from Argentina, for a flavourful dinner that will be loved by kids and adults alike.

Get the recipe: Chicken drumsticks with sweet potato wedges and chimichurri (opens in new tab)