Description
Pepperoni Chicken Legs are a deliciously crispy baked chicken drumstick recipe topped with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and classic pepperoni slices. This easy-to-make dish combines the flavors of Italian pizza toppings with juicy baked chicken, making it a family-friendly dinner option that’s ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups crushed crackers
Toppings
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 slices of pepperoni
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped oregano
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the chicken evenly.
- Prepare Drumsticks: Dip each chicken drumstick into the beaten eggs, then coat them thoroughly with the flour mixed with garlic powder and salt. After that, roll the drumsticks in the crushed crackers until well-coated for a crispy crust.
- Bake Chicken: Place the coated drumsticks on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Flip them halfway through baking to ensure even crispiness on all sides.
- Add Toppings: After baking, remove the drumsticks from the oven. Spoon marinara sauce over each piece, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and place pepperoni slices on top for that signature pizza flavor.
- Melt Cheese: Return the chicken legs to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the mozzarella cheese has melted perfectly and is bubbling.
- Finish and Serve: Once out of the oven, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese and chopped oregano over the top to add a final burst of flavor before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- If preferred, substitute crushed crackers with panko breadcrumbs for a lighter texture.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella to prevent excess liquid on the chicken.
- This recipe can be doubled to serve more people, just increase baking time slightly.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
