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.

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!

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.

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.

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).

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.

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📖 Recipe

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

  

1x2x3x

• 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

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