Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs

Savor the delicious flavors of my Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs. These juicy, tender chicken legs are perfectly seasoned and glazed with a homemade sweet maple citrus glaze sauce, boasting an irresistible seasoning + herb undertone that's truly mouthwatering. It's the perfect dish for a delicious weeknight dinner or weekend addition to share with family and friends. Meal prep-friendly. Gluten-free, Meatless, Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, + Make Ahead Option.

This Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs is like Grandma's Best Recipe

If there's one recipe I couldn't wait to share this week, it's definitely this Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs recipe--- As you already know, I'm a big fan of chicken recipes, and my family---my loyal recipe taste testers, absolutely adore this one, especially because I feel like baked chicken doesn't get the delicious credit it deserves. My previous creations like Crispy Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken, Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts, and Takeout-style Orange Chicken were huge hits, but I wanted to craft something a tad healthier and versatile. This dish can be added to salad, pasta, basmati rice, brown rice, bowls + used for meal prepping, and more. It's perfect for all occasions!

The sweetness delivers just the right amount of balance, and with its relatively ease of cooking by tossing it together in the oven, this easy chicken recipe is a lifesaver for those hectic weeknight dinners or Sunday soulfood meals. The sticky sauce bursts with flavor, making it a love-at-first-bite experience you won't forget! It's packed with protein that adds both depth to your dishes and nutritional goodness. So, if you're looking to keep things uncomplicated yet delectably wholesome, this Southern baked chicken has got you covered. Plus, this chicken recipe is very Meal prep-friendly with Gluten-free, Meatless, Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, + Make Ahead Options.

Why You Will LOVE Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs

• Guilt-free comfort food with a sweet sticky orange flavor!
• Crowd-pleasing--perfect for gatherings and family meals!
• Easy cooking, the perfect way to toss everything together and let it bake.
• Explosive savory + sweet flavors in every delicious bite.
• A healthier twist on a classic favorite.
• Quick + easy recipe for a weeknight dinner!

How To Make Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs

When it comes to crafting the perfect Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs, there are three essential steps to follow:

• First, it all starts with prepping + seasoning the chicken. Start by cleaning and washing your chicken pieces to ensure that they are clean and ready to be seasoned. I like to wash my chicken with both vinegar and lemon to help keep things clean and sanitized. For an explosion of flavors, I highly recommend marinating the chicken for a good 3 hours. This step sets the stage for a mouthwatering dish.
• The heart of this recipe – is the homemade maple citrus glaze (more on how to make that soon). This is where the magic happens, and the flavors truly come to life.
• Finally, add sliced oranges over your marinated chicken + pop it into the oven. That's when the real transformation occurs, and your chicken bakes to sticky, delicious perfection.

Ingredients for Southern Baked Chicken Legs

The ingredients for this baked chicken are important for developing the right flavor notes. Here's what you'll need:

• Chicken. I love using whole chicken legs. You can use a mixture of thighs and drumsticks and wings or chicken breasts. The choice is yours!
• Extra virgin olive oil. For cooking. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
• Onion. You can use white or yellow onion or shallots will work.
• Garlic. Don't skimp on this!
• Dried herbs and spices. I love to season my dishes in "layers" which means that marinating your chicken overnight in seasoning is best! Generally, you'll need an all-purpose seasoning-----You can use my On Everything All-Purpose Blend for great flavor as well as Southern staples like Lawry's and smoked paprika.
• Water or Chicken stock. You can use either liquids. This get's mixed in with your thickening agent. Make your own or use low-sodium store-bought stock.
• All-purpose flour. Used to coat the chicken once mixed with the liquid for a nice gravy-like base. You can also substitute with cornstarch, tapioca flour, or Arrowroot. For a gluten-free option, use GF-friendly flour or thickener.
• Oranges. Freshly squeezed results in the best flavor. You'll also need to slice an orange for added flavor.
• Maple syrup. The best sweetener that I enjoy using, especially to pair with the orange flavor. I like to use pure maple syrup. You can also use organic raw honey or hot honey for a nice twist, if desired.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS CHICKEN!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods, especially with this Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs recipe. Everything from my fave skillet pans, baking dishes, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?

Ever wondered how long to bake chicken legs at 375°? To know when your chicken is fully cooked at 375° here are some tips -

• Time: Bake chicken legs at 375°F for around 45 minutes to 1 hour. Don't forget to keep an eye on it once it hits the 45 minute mark.
• Color and Juices: Cut into the thickest part of the chicken. If the juices run clear and the meat is opaque with no pinkness, it's likely cooked.
• Temperature: For certainty, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should read 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part of the chicken.
• Resting: After cooking, let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This helps keep the juices inside for a tastier result.

Can I Substitute the Chicken in this Recipe?

You can absolutely substitute the chicken in this recipe for with another meat or meat alternative altogether such as:

• Vegan/ Plant-based chicken alternatives like Gardein
• Cauliflower
• Mushrooms
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Chickpea
• Jackfruit
• Vegetables (i.e. peas, carrots, potatoes, etc.)
• Shrimp
• Fish [like Salmon]
• Meatballs
• Beef
• Scallops

What Is The Ideal Chicken Cut To Use?

For this Southern Baked Chicken, I prefer using whole chicken legs. However, if you prefer other parts of the chicken, you can use a whole chicken by cutting it into pieces and removing most of the skin or a mix of legs (drumsticks) and skinless thighs or chicken breasts or wings. It's best to chop larger chicken pieces into smaller ones. I advise against using only chicken breast for this recipe as it contains less fat and can quickly become dry during cooking, but if you do, be sure to bake for only around 30-35 minutes instead.

Alternative Cooking Methods for Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs

Although this Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs recipe is gracefully made in the oven, you can also make it with the following:

• Stovetop: If you’d like to finish the entire recipe for the Southern baked chicken over the stovetop----that's totally fine! To start, you'll want to sear the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat since it already is coated in olive oil. Once both sides have seared, remove from the heat and set aside. Now, sauté the onions and garlic, add the seasonings along with the flour mixture, orange juice, maple syrup, and the orange slices, stirring everything together. Bring to a boil before adding back the seared chicken pieces, covering with a lid, reducing the heat to low and letting it simmer for 30-35 minutes. Continue to spoon sauce onto chicken for a nice glaze-like look/finish.
• Crockpot/Slow cooker: For this method, follow the same instructions in this recipe and then transfer everything to a slow cooker. You'll want to stir every so often to ensure that the thickness of the gravy is right and so that the ingredients marry together well. Cook on low setting for 7-8 hours or on high setting for 4-5 hours. NOTE: if your slow cooker has a browning/sear function, you can execute browning the chicken and sautéing the onions and garlic in it.
• Pressure cooker/Instant pot: Let's make one thing clear------this Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs recipe is far better on the oven as opposed to pressure cookers. Simply, follow the same instructions, doing everything in the pressure cooker: after all the ingredients are in the cooker, cook on high pressure for about 10-15 minutes. Lastly, you may need to simmer the glaze over the stovetop in a skillet or pot afterwards to help it thicken and then pour onto chicken.

What to Serve with Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs

You can serve this centerpiece-worthy chicken as a holiday entree with your favorite seasonal sides. Here are a few great recipes to serve this roasted chicken with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes, rich + buttery, perfect for all that gravy
• Stuffing with savory herbs and crispy edges
• Seasoned Creamed Corn or Corn on the Cob
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• Sweet potato casserole, fluffy and sweet with a crunchy pecan topping
• Green beans are so simple yet flavorful
• Rice for a simple pairing like Coconut rice, Basmati rice, Brown rice, etc
• Velveeta Mac and Cheese --- a true childhood classic
• Baked mac + cheese or this Jerk Baked Mac + Cheese for a bold twist
• Southern Potato Salad
• Tangy, sweet cranberry sauce to balance the chicken's richness
• Soft homemade dinner rolls, ideal for soaking up every last bit of gravy!
• Southern side classic like cornbread or buttermilk biscuits or collard greens

Common Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs Q+A's

More Favorite Chicken Recipes

If you thoroughly enjoyed this Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs recipe, don't forget to add these delicious creations to your "must-make" list:

• Baked Buffalo Chicken Tacos [Dairy-Free]
• Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken
• Authentic Jerk Chicken Rasta Pasta
• Chicken Birria Grilled Cheese
• Sticky Orange Chicken Popcorn Chicken
• This Spicy Chili Garlic Ramen with Chicken + Veggies
• Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
• Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Soup
• Jerk Whole Roast Chicken
• Delicious Southern Smothered Chicken
• Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken
• Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup
• Crispy Oven Fried Chicken 

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried my Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.

Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs

May 24, 2025 •

By Shanika

5 from 1 vote

Southern Baked Maple Citrus Chicken Legs -- The perfect meal main meat option, boast juicy, tender chicken legs with a delicious sweet, sticky, and savory maple citrus glaze that pairs perfectly with sides like rice, pasta, salad, mac + cheese, and beyond!

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Serves: 4 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

CHICKEN LEGS:

• 1-2 lbs. organic whole chicken legs (You can also use drumsticks, breasts, or wings, if preferred)
• 2 tsps On Everything All-Purpose Blend (You can purchase my On Everything All-Purpose Blend for authentic flavor or make your own blend----See Notes)
• 1-2 tsps smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Lawry's seasoning salt
• 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ onion, chopped (You can use white, yellow, or red)
• 1 cup water or chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon organic flour
• 1 medium orange, sliced

MAPLE CITRUS GLAZE:

• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 medium oranges, freshly-squeezed (You can use up to 2 cups of orange juice)
• 1 teaspoon On Everything All-Purpose Blend
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

MARINATE + SEASON THE CHICKEN:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a standard 9x13 baking dish by spraying with oil or coating with butter.
• In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken legs along with the olive oil, chopped onions, garlic, All-Purpose Blend, Lawry's, and smoked paprika, mixing everything together until chicken is fully coated. Add coated chicken to a securely sealed ziplock bag and place in the refrigerator for 3 hours (minimum). NOTE: Best if marinaded overnight. When ready to use, let chicken sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking.

BAKE THE CHICKEN:

• Add the chicken legs (side by side) into prepared baking dish, leaving a bit of room in between each one, also spooning the chopped onions and garlic onto each chicken. Add the sliced oranges in between and onto the chicken.
• In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the water (or chicken stock) and flour until it becomes a "milky-like" consistency.
• Pour the flour mixture atop the chicken pieces evenly.
• Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour minutes or until golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked through on the inside. NOTE: It's OK, if the chicken looks a little "dry" at this point.

TO MAKE MAPLE CITRUS GLAZE:

• In a bowl, add together the maple syrup, orange juice, On Everything All-Purpose Blend, and smoked paprika, stirring until combined.
• Spoon the maple citrus glaze onto the chicken pieces and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes or until chicken becomes golden and the glaze has "baked onto the chicken" and caramelized. NOTE: Once removing from the oven, feel free to spoon glaze from the sides of baking dish onto the chicken for a nice glisten.
• Remove from oven and serve immediately! You can serve with your favorite side of cornbread, salad, pasta, basmati rice, brown rice, mac + cheese, potato salad, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, grits, etc.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Place any leftover ingredients in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply add chicken to a baking sheet and bake for a few minutes until completely warmed through. Drizzle with additional maple syrup, if needed.
• MAKE AHEAD + GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: See FAQ section
• SIDE DISH OPTIONS: See Post for extensive list of great pairings with this chicken recipe.
• SPICES/HERBS: If desired, you can reduce the amount of seasoning used slightly. Please know that this recipe is bold in flavor, so feel free to adjust based on your tastebuds.
• CHICKEN PIECES: I love using whole chicken legs for this recipe, however, you can also do this with chicken breasts, drumsticks, thighs, and wings.
• HOMEMADE ALL-PURPOSE BLEND: 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, + 1 teaspoon dried parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 590mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 1mg

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