Crispy Fried Chicken Legs

Written by admin Published on July 11, 2025 in Uncategorized

Chicken legs in a salt and sugar brine and the egg wash mixed together in a shallow bowl.

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl add cold water sugar and salt and whisk until combined add the chicken pieces and soak.
Step 2: In a shallow dish add the eggs and cayenne pepper and mix, and roll the pieces of chicken into the egg mixture.

Chicken leg dipped into the egg wash then into the flour mixture.

Step 3: Roll the chicken leg into the egg wash.
Step 4: In another medium bowl add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and spices and mix, toss each piece of chicken into the flour mixture, and place on a wire rack placed on a baking sheet.

Chicken legs that have been breaded and placed into a pot of hot oil.

Step 5: Place the breaded chicken legs onto a cooling rack and let rest.
Step 6: Heat a dutch oven or skillet with the hot oil, then add in a few chicken pieces at a time.

Chicken legs being fried in a pot of oil then placed on a cooling rack.

Step 7: Flipping halfway through until golden brown.
Step 8: Place on a cooling rack to drain and rest.

How to serve crispy chicken legs

So many options really but I like to serve these chicken legs with Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Macaroni and Cheese, or my Slow Cooker Green Beans and of course Buttermilk Biscuits.

How to store and reheat these chicken legs

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat these chicken legs in the microwave, or oven. If you want to get that crispiness back place them in an air fryer preheated to 350 degrees for 3-4 minutes or until heated through.

A bite out of one chicken leg being held.

Recipe tips

The brine is a must for juicy flavorful chicken, so don’t skip this step.
Letting the drumsticks rest for 10 minutes helps the flour stick and doesn’t fall off in the cooking oil.
I like to use a cast iron dutch oven or a large cast iron skillet for deep frying my chicken but stainless steel or anodized aluminum will also work.
If your chicken is becoming too brown reduce the heat a bit.

Recipe Faq’s

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