Delicious Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs are a delicious and easy main dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. They’re crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Flavored with tangy lemon and bold black pepper.
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy crispy, flavorful chicken. They’re easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
When I started using lemon pepper seasoning on the chicken, I didn’t know I would love it this much. I’m not much of a pepper person, but this seasoning has been my favorite go-to seasoning.
If you enjoy lemon pepper seasoning as much as me, you need to check out these other delicious lemon pepper chicken recipes: Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders and Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings.
❤️ Why you’ll love this easy air fryer recipe
- Budget Friendly – You can buy a family pack of chicken legs to save money and freeze what you don’t use. Chicken legs or chicken drumsticks are one of the cheaper cuts of chicken.
- Easy Recipe – This recipe is super easy, with only 2 ingredients and just a few steps.
- Meal Prep – Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs are one of my favorite things to meal prep. Serve with your favorite veggies.
- Lower Fat alternative – Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs are a tasty and healthy alternative to fried chicken. The air fryer gives them a crispy outside without all the added oil and fat of deep-frying
Ingredients
- Chicken Legs – you can also use chicken leg quarters if you can’t find chicken legs.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
✳️ Tips & Tricks
- Some chicken legs may need the skin to be pulled/ stretched to cover the leg. This ensures you don’t get a mouth full of skin and no meat when you bite into it.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure to cook the chicken legs in a single layer so that they cook evenly.
- Once the timer goes off on the air fryer, ensure the internal temperature is 165F.
- You always want to remove the chicken immediately to ensure you don’t dry out the chicken.
Tools to make this Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer
- Cosori Air Fryer – this is my favorite air fryer. The large air fryer basket makes it so easy to cook your favorite recipes.
- Tongs – tongs are easiest to remove and flip the chicken
- Meat thermometer – You always want to ensure the internal temperature of ANY chicken is 165F.
How to make Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs
- If needed, stretch the chicken leg’s skin over the chicken.
- Place the chicken legs into a ziplock bag.
- Add the lemon pepper seasoning over the chicken. Seal the bag making sure you remove the air from the bag. Toss the chicken around to ensure they all get coated in the seasoning.
- Transfer to the air fryer basket and cook at 390F for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Once the timer goes off, make sure the internal temperature is 165F.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve.
Oven Directions
- Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
- Carefully stretch the chicken skin on the legs if needed.
- Place the chicken legs into a ziplock bag and add the lemon pepper seasoning.
- Remove the air from the bag and seal it. Toss the chicken legs around to ensure they get coated in the seasoning.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, spray with oil, and place the chicken legs onto the baking sheet.
- Transfer to the oven and cook for 40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165F.
- Once the timer goes off, remove and serve.
Chicken Leg Nutrition
Here’s the nutrition information for 1 raw chicken drumstick with skin (111g) according to the USDA National Nutrient Database:
- Calories: 238
- Protein: 18.2g
- Fat: 17.8g
- Carbohydrates: 0.2g
Substitutions
- If you don’t have chicken legs or drumsticks, you can substitute chicken leg quarters or thighs.
- If you dislike store-bought seasoning, you can make Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning or you can make your own by combining lemon zest and freshly ground black pepper. You could also use a different seasoning blend like my chicken dry rub seasoning.
What to serve with Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs go well with a variety of side dishes such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad.
One of my favorite things lately has been these Air Fryer Green Beans with Parmesan. They are super easy, and taste delicious.
How to store
- Store leftovers in an airtight glass container for up to 5 days.
♨️ How to reheat
Remove the lid from the container and microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes or until the chicken is warm. Alternatively, you can transfer to a microwave save plate to warm up.
To warm this up in your air fryer, cook it for 2-3 minutes at 400F.
❓FAQs
How long can you cook drumsticks in an air fryer?
Cook them at 390F for 16-18 minutes.
Do you have to flip drumsticks in an air fryer?
Yes, you do. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly.
Can you stack chicken legs in an air fryer?
NO, to ensure all the chicken is cooked all the way through. Make sure you lay the chicken in a single layer.
Can I use other chicken parts instead of chicken legs?
Yes, you can use other chicken parts such as chicken thighs or chicken breasts, but you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the chicken pieces.
Can I use fresh lemon juice instead of lemon pepper seasoning?
Yes, you can use fresh lemon juice instead of lemon pepper seasoning, but you may need to adjust the amount of seasoning and add some black pepper to get the same flavor.
More Air Fryer Chicken Leg Recipes
If you loved this easy air fryer lemon pepper chicken drustick recipe, check out these other air fryer chicken leg recipes.
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Legs
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs with Dry Rub Seasoning
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Legs
- Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Legs
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Legs
- 3 tbsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Instructions
- If needed, stretch the chicken leg’s skin over the chicken.
- Place the chicken legs into a ziplock bag.
- Add the lemon pepper seasoning over the chicken. Seal the bag making sure you remove the air from the bag. Toss the chicken around to ensure they all get coated in the seasoning.
- Transfer to the air fryer basket and cook at 390F for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Once the timer goes off, make sure the internal temperature is 165F.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve.
Nutrition
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