20 Budget-Friendly Chicken Leg Meals Everyone Loves

Chicken legs are a great choice for dinner because they are affordable and very hard to overcook. You can make them crispy, smoky, or covered in a tasty sauce. Both kids and adults really enjoy eating them. They have more flavor and stay juicier than chicken breasts often do. This list has many different ways to cook chicken legs, from the air fryer to the oven. You will find a simple and delicious new recipe to try.

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Traeger Smoked Chicken Legs

A close-up shot of seasoned and perfectly grilled chicken drumsticks held by a pair of metal tongs. The drumsticks have a crispy, browned exterior with a visible coating of spices and herbs. More drumsticks are visible on a plate in the background. — Traeger Smoked Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Quiche My Grits.

They are cooked low and slow to get a deep, smoky flavor. Traeger Smoked Chicken Legs stay very juicy.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Chicken Legs

Chicken in Guajillo Sauce

Chicken legs in a stock pot with red guajillo sauce. — Chicken In Guajillo Sauce. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

It is cooked in a rich red sauce made from dried chilies. Chicken in Guajillo Sauce becomes very tender and falls off the bone.
Get Recipe: Guajillo Chicken

Pollo a la Diabla (Mexican Deviled Chicken)

Chicken legs covered in a red sauce and sitting in a metal stockpot. — Pollo a la Diabla. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This is a very spicy dish with a flavorful chili sauce. Pollo a la Diabla is often served with rice to balance the heat.
Get Recipe: Pollo a la Diabla

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs

A tray lined with parchment paper holding five grilled chicken drumsticks. Garnished with chopped green onions, the drumsticks surround a small dipping cup filled with a creamy sauce. The tray sits on a white surface. — Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

They get a crunchy outside without needing to be fried in oil. Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs are quick and simple.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Honey Soy Chicken

A white serving dish filled with glazed chicken drumsticks garnished with chopped fresh herbs. The chicken appears golden brown and coated with a shiny sauce, suggesting it is freshly cooked and ready to be served. — Honey Soy Chicken. Photo credit: Chew Out Loud.

The chicken bakes in a sticky, sweet sauce made from honey and soy. Honey Soy Chicken is great served over rice.
Get the Recipe: Honey Soy Chicken

Sopa de Pollo con Fideos (Chicken Fideo Soup)

A bowl of soup containing chicken, spaghetti, lime slices, and a variety of vegetables such as carrots and potatoes. The soup is garnished with chopped herbs and placed on a striped cloth. A small bowl of chopped herbs with a wooden spoon is beside it. — Sopa de Pollo con Fideos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Chicken legs are simmered to make a rich broth for this soup. Sopa de Pollo con Fideos has thin noodles that soak up the flavor.
Get Recipe: Sopa de Pollo con Fideos

Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Close-up of a plate with roasted chicken drumsticks, showing well-seasoned, crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. Some chicken pieces are torn open to reveal the moist interior. Garnished with a few fresh, chopped herbs. The background is a light, smooth surface. — Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

They cook under pressure until the meat is very tender and soft. Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks can be made with broth or salsa.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks

A close-up of a roasted chicken tray bake with crispy chicken drumsticks, halved baby potatoes, sliced carrots, green beans, and garnished with fresh parsley. The vegetables and chicken are browned and appear well-seasoned, creating a colorful and appetizing dish. — Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

The chicken and vegetables roast together with a balsamic glaze. Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks is a complete meal on one tray.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks

Tandoori Chicken Legs

A plate filled with grilled chicken drumsticks garnished with chopped parsley. The plate also includes sliced lime wedges and a small bowl of fresh parsley leaves on the side. The drumsticks are a golden-brown color with a slightly charred appearance. — Tandoori Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Cupcakes & Kale Chips.

They are marinated in yogurt and spices which makes them very flavorful. Tandoori Chicken Legs have a bright red color.
Get the Recipe: Tandoori Chicken Legs

Butterflied Chicken Legs

A plate of five barbecued chicken drumsticks garnished with chopped herbs. The drumsticks are glazed and have a slightly charred appearance, indicating they were cooked on a grill. The plate rests on a table with a blue and white checkered cloth in the background. — Butterflied Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Out Grlling.

They are cut so they lay flat, which helps them cook faster and get crispy. Butterflied Chicken Legs are great on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Butterflied Chicken Legs

Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

A delicious spread of glazed, roasted chicken drumsticks is arranged on parchment paper, accompanied by fresh greens and ripe tomatoes. A small wooden bowl filled with a red dipping sauce is in the background. — Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

You just brush them with sauce and bake until they are glossy. These Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are an easy family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

A plate with four grilled chicken drumsticks garnished with chopped parsley, served with a small bowl of red dipping sauce on the side. The plate rests on a wire rack with a cloth napkin nearby. — Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Jam Jar Kitchen.

They cook up with a crispy skin and stay juicy on the inside. These Air Fryer Chicken Legs are ready in about twenty-five minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

A white baking dish filled with roasted chicken drumsticks and diced potatoes, garnished with lemon wedges and chopped herbs. The dish sits on a white surface next to a white and black checkered cloth. — Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes. Photo credit: Haute and Healthy Living.

The chicken and potatoes roast together on a single sheet pan. This One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes meal makes cleanup easy.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

Fried Chicken Legs

A bowl of crispy fried chicken drumsticks is placed on a lavender cloth. Next to the bowl, there's a square white dish containing sliced cucumber sticks. The chicken drumsticks are golden brown and sprinkled with seasoning. — Fried Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

They are soaked in buttermilk and then fried until the crust is golden. Fried Chicken Legs are a classic and tasty treat.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Legs

Ranch Chicken Drumsticks

A white plate with roasted chicken drumsticks garnished with parsley on one half and steamed broccoli florets on the other. The background shows part of a light-colored cloth napkin. — Ranch Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

The chicken is coated in a dry ranch seasoning mix before baking. Ranch Chicken Drumsticks have a salty, herby flavor.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Chicken Drumsticks

Baked Chicken Legs

Close-up of a white plate featuring several seasoned and baked chicken drumsticks. The drumsticks are golden brown and garnished with herbs, with visible specks of seasoning. The plate is placed on a marble surface. — Baked Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

They are baked at a high heat to get the skin nice and crispy. Simple Baked Chicken Legs go with almost any side dish.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Legs

Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks

A close-up of a plate of cooked chicken drumsticks, coated in a creamy, herb-infused sauce. The drumsticks are garnished with freshly grated cheese and chopped parsley, adding a touch of color and texture to the golden-brown skin. — Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

They are baked with garlic and cheese until everything is golden. These Chicken Drumsticks cook on just one pan for easy cleaning.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs

A white rectangular plate filled with glazed barbecue chicken drumsticks, garnished with chopped parsley. The plate is set on a table with a red cloth underneath and a textured blue and white fabric in the background. — Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Cupcakes & Kale Chips.

The BBQ sauce gets sticky and sweet while they cook. Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs have a nice crispy skin.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs

Kljukusa

A partially eaten dish of moussaka with crispy edges on a table. Three lamb drumsticks are visible within the moussaka, placed on a creamy layer of bechamel sauce. A fork rests on the dish's edge. A side bowl of mixed greens and a small bowl of grated cheese are nearby. — Kljukusa. Photo credit: Food Nutters.

This dish pairs the chicken with a baked potato pancake. Kljukusa is a hearty and comforting meal from the Balkans.
Get the Recipe: Kljukusa

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

A beige plate holds three grilled chicken drumsticks garnished with herbs. A small glass bowl of white dipping sauce is placed on the side of the plate. A yellow cloth napkin lies to the left of the plate, and the background is white. — Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

They get evenly crispy all over without needing to be turned. Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are very simple and reliable.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks