Sweet And Sour Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
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Sweet and sour baked chicken legs are the perfect mix of savory and sweet flavors, baked to juicy perfection in the oven! This easy recipe uses simple ingredients like apricot jam and soy sauce to create a delicious homemade sauce that kids and adults alike will love. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a fun family meal, these baked chicken legs will be a new favorite that’s both satisfying and easy to make.
Sweet and sour baked chicken legs is a very easy recipe that most people really like. These chicken legs are baked in the oven with a very delicious homemade sweet and sour sauce. This sweet and sour chicken legs recipe is very kid friendly – most kids love the sauce and the taste of these chicken legs, and of course the adults too gobble them up :)
Why You’ll Love Sweet And Sour Baked Chicken Legs
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of apricot jam, soy sauce, and garlic gives these chicken legs a deliciously sweet and tangy flavor that everyone loves. It’s a unique twist on traditional baked chicken that keeps every bite exciting!
- Kid-Friendly: The sweetness of the sauce makes this recipe especially popular with kids. It’s a great way to introduce younger eaters to new flavors, and they’ll love eating these tender, juicy chicken legs.
- Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe is super easy to make. Simply mix the sauce, pour it over the chicken, and bake—dinner is ready in no time!
- Versatile: While chicken legs work perfectly, this recipe can easily be adapted for other cuts of chicken, like thighs or wings. You can make it work with whatever chicken you have on hand.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: These baked chicken legs reheat beautifully, making them an ideal choice for meal prep. Cook a batch and enjoy delicious sweet and sour chicken throughout the week!
Best of all, making these sweet and sour chicken legs is extremely easy. You just mix all the sauce ingredients, put the chicken legs in a baking dish, coat them with a sauce and put them in the oven. When the timer beeps, dinner is ready!
You can also make this recipe with other chicken parts, like chicken wings, chicken breasts or simply cut-up whole chicken. No matter what kind of chicken meat you use, the sweet and sour baked chicken will be delicious!
Sweet And Sour Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 chicken legs – The star of the dish, chicken legs are juicy, tender, and perfect for baking with a flavorful sauce.
- 1 cup apricot jam – Adds sweetness and a touch of fruitiness, balancing the savory and tangy elements of the sauce.
- 3 tbsp vinegar – Provides a tangy bite, giving the dish its signature sweet and sour flavor.
- 1 tbsp soy sauce – Adds a savory depth to the sauce, enhancing the umami flavors.
- 1 tbsp ketchup – Brings a subtle sweetness and slight acidity that complements the apricot jam and vinegar.
- 4 garlic cloves, minced – Freshly minced garlic adds a burst of flavor and aroma to the sauce.
For a printable card of the ingredients, check out the recipe card at the end of this article.
Kitchen Tools You Need to Make Sweet And Sour Baked Chicken Legs
- Baking Dish – A large, non-stick baking dish is perfect for holding all the chicken legs and sauce while they bake evenly.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – Essential for accurately measuring ingredients, especially the sauce components.
- Mixing Bowl – Used to mix the sweet and sour sauce ingredients before coating the chicken.
- Spoon or Spatula – Helps to mix and spread the sauce evenly over the chicken legs.
- Oven – To bake the chicken legs to perfection, creating a delicious caramelized glaze on top.
Instructions How To Make Sweet And Sour Chicken Legs
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Combine apricot jam, vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup and garlic to make the sauce.
- Put chicken in a large non-stick baking dish. Coat chicken with the sauce all over.
- Bake for 1 hour.
Enjoy these yummy chicken legs! Serve them with perfect mashed potatoes – it will be such a delicious dinner!
For another great chicken leg recipe, see how to make BBQ chicken legs.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these sweet and sour chicken legs with fluffy mashed potatoes or steamed white rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Pair with a side of roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or carrots for a balanced meal.
- Sprinkle fresh chopped green onions or cilantro over the chicken legs for a pop of color and added flavor.
- A crisp green salad like kale and quinoa with a light vinaigrette complements the sweetness of the chicken and adds a refreshing contrast.
- For a larger spread, add some egg rolls or dumplings as appetizers to keep the Asian-inspired theme going!
Tips for Success
- Use High-Quality Apricot Jam: The jam is a key ingredient in this dish, adding sweetness and fruitiness. Using a high-quality apricot jam without too many added sugars or preservatives will yield the best flavor.
- Coat the Chicken Thoroughly: Make sure each chicken leg is fully covered in the sauce. This helps to evenly distribute the flavor and ensures that the chicken develops a nice glaze as it bakes.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Dish: Space the chicken legs out so they aren’t touching each other. This allows the heat to circulate properly around each piece, giving you evenly baked, juicy chicken.
- Adjust Baking Time as Needed: Ovens vary, so check the chicken at the 50-minute mark. If you prefer a darker glaze, you can turn on the broiler for the last few minutes to caramelize the sauce further, but keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Let the Chicken Rest Before Serving: Allowing the chicken legs to rest for a few minutes after baking helps lock in the juices. This small step makes a big difference in the tenderness and juiciness of each bite.
Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the Jam: If you don’t have apricot jam, you can substitute it with peach or pineapple jam. These fruits offer a similar sweetness and slight tang that work beautifully in sweet and sour dishes.
- Try Different Vinegars: While regular vinegar works great, you can experiment with rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a slightly different flavor profile. Rice vinegar adds a mild tang, while apple cider vinegar brings a hint of fruitiness.
- Make it Spicy: For a kick of heat, add a teaspoon of sriracha, chili flakes, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. This adds a pleasant spicy contrast to the sweetness of the jam.
- Use Other Cuts of Chicken: This recipe is versatile enough to work with other cuts, such as thighs or wings. Adjust the baking time slightly based on the cut; wings may need less time, while bone-in thighs may require a few extra minutes.
- Make it Gluten-Free: If you’re following a gluten-free diet, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce. This simple swap keeps the recipe gluten-free without sacrificing flavor.
- Honey Alternative: If you want to avoid processed sugar, swap the apricot jam for honey or maple syrup. These alternatives add natural sweetness and will still give you that sticky, delicious coating.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerating Leftovers: Place any leftover chicken legs in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- Freezing for Later: If you’d like to freeze the leftovers, place the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating in the Oven: To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F, place the chicken legs in a baking dish, and cover with foil to retain moisture. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave Option: For a quicker option, place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel, and heat for 1-2 minutes. Check for warmth and continue heating in short intervals as needed.
- Preventing Dryness: To keep the chicken moist while reheating, spoon a little extra sauce or a few drops of water over the chicken before covering and heating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of jam for the sauce?
Yes, you can use peach, pineapple, or even orange marmalade in place of apricot jam. Each will add its own unique twist, but the sweetness and tang will still shine through.
What can I serve with sweet and sour baked chicken legs?
This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or roasted vegetables. A simple green salad or coleslaw is also a nice addition to balance out the sweetness of the chicken.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and marinate the chicken legs in it a few hours before baking. Simply store the marinated chicken in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook, then follow the baking instructions as usual.
How do I know when the chicken legs are fully cooked?
Chicken legs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F, and the meat should be juicy and no longer pink near the bone. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, the juices should run clear when pierced.
Can I make this recipe with skinless chicken legs?
Yes, you can make it with skinless chicken legs, though the skin helps hold the sauce and adds some crispness. Skinless legs will still turn out delicious but may have a slightly different texture.
Other Easy Chicken Recipes
Simple Air Fryer Chicken with Mushrooms: This easy air fryer recipe combines juicy chicken with tender mushrooms for a quick, flavorful meal.
Crispy Honey Butter Chicken: Sweet and savory, this honey butter chicken is fried to golden perfection with a deliciously sticky glaze.
Spicy Jerk Chicken Tacos Recipe: Enjoy bold Caribbean flavors with these spicy jerk chicken tacos, perfect for a quick and tasty dinner.
Quick Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup: A comforting, zesty chicken tortilla soup made effortlessly in the Instant Pot for a satisfying meal.
Air Fryer Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast: This stuffed chicken breast with broccoli and cheese turns out perfectly crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside using the air fryer.
Greek Mason Jar Chicken Salad (Meal Prep Friendly): This Greek-inspired chicken salad in a mason jar is ideal for meal prep, packed with fresh veggies and tangy dressing.
Quick Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas: Make flavorful, sizzling chicken fajitas in minutes with the help of the air fryer for a quick, healthy dinner option.
Sweet And Sour Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 chicken legs
- 1 cup apricot jam
- 3 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 4 arlic cloves minced
Recommended Kitchen Tools (click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe)
- Baking dish
- Spoon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine apricot jam, vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, and minced garlic to create the sauce.
- Place the chicken legs in a large baking dish.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken legs, ensuring they are coated evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, until the chicken is cooked through and has a beautiful glaze.
- Remove from the oven and enjoy your delicious sweet and sour chicken legs!
Notes
- Serve these chicken legs with mashed potatoes or rice for a complete meal.
- This recipe also works great with other chicken parts, like wings or thighs.
Nutrition
More Baked Recipes
- Oven-Baked Catfish Nuggets
- Easy Air Fryer Twice-Baked Potatoes
- Keto-Friendly Baked Eggplant Parmesan (Gluten-Free)
Thanks for this recipe, Melanie. My son LOVES chicken legs and he loves to get sweet ‘n sour chicken when we go out. I never thought of combining two of his favorites like this.
Of course, I’ll have to hide the fact that the apricot jam is what’s making it sweet. :)
I do not care for anything that uses ketchup or tomato soup in it, leaves a distinctive taste, but this sounds good “a must try”
thanks mary
just swap out the ketchup or tomato soup with mayo
Hi just love all your recipes I would like to add that I make a sweet and sour recipe too but instead of the ketchup I use mayo I know it sounds strange but is really yum.