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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Maple Mustard Chicken Legs

    Published: Dec 22, 2022 · Modified: Mar 9, 2023 by Kate

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    Chicken drumsticks, with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.
    Plate of chicken with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.

    This Maple Mustard Chicken Legs recipe is so easy to make and tastes incredible! The sweet maple syrup balances perfectly with the strong mustard, making the perfect marinade for drumsticks! Air fryer or oven baked.

    Close up of maple mustard chicken legs on a plate.
    Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.

    You're going to love this Maple Mustard Chicken Legs recipe!

    It is so easy to make (in the air fryer or oven baked) and tastes incredible!

    This dish is always a huge hit at my house. It's sweet from the maple syrup, yet strong from the mustard, giving a bold flavor that's perfect on the chicken drumsticks.

    All you have to do is mix the maple mustard sauce, spread it over the chicken legs, then roast them in the oven or cook them in your air fryer.

    So quick and easy!

    I love making a big ol' batch and bringing them to a potluck or game day party. They're so tasty, everyone loves the flavors and they're even good cold the next day at a picnic!

    If you love chicken, you'll also love Basil Pesto Chicken, Buffalo Bacon Wrapped Chicken Wings, Marry Me Chicken, or Chicken Pesto Pasta!

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations
    • Recipe Tips
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    Side view of a dish of roasted chicken legs.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Maple Mustard Chicken Legs are super easy to make and have an incredible flavor.
    • You can make this recipe in the air fryer or oven baked (both methods below).
    • This recipe is a family-pleaser.
    • Perfect for a weeknight dinner, potluck or game day.
    • You can use your favorite type of mustard: stone ground, Dijon, yellow etc...
    Chicken legs, mustard, maple syrup, oil and seasonings on a table.

    Ingredients

    • Chicken Legs: also known as drumsticks. If using frozen, thaw them safely first in a container in the fridge overnight. You can find chicken legs fresh or frozen in the meat or frozen section of the grocery store.
    • Oil: Use olive oil, canola oil, or your favorite cooking oil.
    • Maple Syrup: This adds sweetness to balance the marinade and caramelizes on the chicken legs.
    • Mustard: I used whole grain, but Dijon, yellow, English and German all work too.
    • Smoked Paprika: Adds a rich, smokey flavor.
    • Dried Italian Herbs: For even more great flavor on your chicken legs.
    • Salt: To season the chicken and bring out all the flavors.

    See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.

    Instructions

    If you're wondering how to make this maple mustard chicken legs recipe, don't worry, it's easy!

    Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.

    Bowl of chicken legs with seasonings added.

    Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel and add the legs to a large bowl.

    Add the oil, maple syrup, mustard, paprika, herbs and salt.

    Toss the chicken legs in the marinade to coat them. You can then cook them right away, or marinate the chicken by covering the bowl and refrigerating for 30 minutes or up to overnight.

    Seasoned chicken legs in a bowl.

    To oven bake:

    1. Preheat the oven to 400F. 
    2. Add the seasoned chicken legs to a large rimmed baking dish in a single layer.
    3. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the chicken legs are cooked through and the skin is lightly browned and golden.

    TIP: To check your chicken legs are done with a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should read 165 degrees F).

    Cooking maple mustard chicken legs in an air fryer.

    To air fry:

    1. Place the chicken legs into the basket of the air fryer (cook in batches if the basket is small).
    2. Cook at 380F (190C) for 10 minutes, then use tongs to flip the drumsticks and cook for 7-8 more minutes or until they are cooked through.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve your maple mustard chicken legs with a variety of side dishes for a full meal. Try them with:

    Mashed potato
    Air Fryer Potato Wedges
    Cheesy Brussels Sprouts
    Grilled Broccoli
    Salad
    Fries

    Variations

    • Switch up the type of mustard you use for a totally different flavor. I used whole grain mustard, but you could use yellow, Dijon, German mustard etc...
    • Try swapping the maple syrup for honey.
    • If you like things spicy, add a dash of hot sauce to the marinade.
    • If you have time, try marinading the chicken legs in a covered bowl in the fridge overnight.

    Recipe Tips

    If you want to make this chicken leg recipe ahead of time, you can marinate the chicken in the seasonings up to a day in advance. Store covered in the fridge until you're ready to cook.

    If you want extra crispy skin on your chicken, broil on high for a minute or two at the end of cooking. It will brown quickly so keep an eye on it.

    Use a meat thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked through. The safe internal temperature for chicken legs is 165F.

    Chicken safety: Wash hands, surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after handling raw chicken. Before serving, ensure the chicken is piping hot and thoroughly cooked, juices run clear and no pink color remains.

    A plate of cooked maple mustard chicken legs.

    Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    A plate of baked chicken legs.

    Maple Mustard Chicken Legs

    In this Maple Mustard Chicken Legs recipe, the maple syrup balances perfectly with the strong mustard. Air fryer or oven baked.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 375 kcal

    Equipment

    • bowl
    • air fryer or oven
    • baking sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 chicken legs (drumsticks)
    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoons mustard (I used whole grain, but Dijon or yellow work well too)
    • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel and add the legs to a large bowl.
    • Add the oil, maple syrup, mustard, paprika, herbs and salt. Toss the chicken legs in the seasonings to cover.
    • TIP: You can then cook them right away, or marinate the chicken by covering the bowl and refrigerating for 30 minutes or up to overnight.

    To oven bake:

    • Preheat the oven to 400F.
    • Add the seasoned chicken legs to a large rimmed baking dish in a single layer.
    • Place the tray in the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the chicken legs are cooked through and the skin is lightly browned and golden.
    • To check they are done with a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should read 165 degrees F).

    To air fry:

    • Place the chicken legs into the basket of the air fryer (cook in batches if the basket is small). Cook at 380F (190C) for 10 minutes, then use tongs to flip the drumsticks and cook for 7-8 more minutes or until they are cooked through (the internal temperature of the drumsticks with a meat thermometer is 165 degrees F).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 50gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 234mgSodium: 622mgPotassium: 670mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 580IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Keyword air fryer chicken legs, chicken legs, maple mustard chicken legs, oven baked chicken legs
    Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cara

      December 27, 2022 at 3:37 pm

      5 stars
      This was so easy, and delicious! Maple/mustard is one of my favorite flavor combinations, and it was perfect on the chicken legs. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Stephanie

      December 30, 2022 at 12:43 pm

      5 stars
      I had a neighbor when I was a kid that made a maple mustard marinade for chicken, and I always loved it. I tried to replicate her recipe so many times and couldn't. This is pretty close!

      Reply
    3. Kate

      January 06, 2023 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      Made these in my air fryer and they came out great. My kids loved them. Will make again!

      Reply
    4. Tayler

      January 09, 2023 at 3:44 pm

      5 stars
      I made these chicken legs for dinner last night and my whole family loved them. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

      Reply

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