Oven-Roasted Chicken Legs with Iraqi Red Rice
Juicy chicken legs roasted with warm spices served alongside fragrant Iraqi red rice cooked with tomato sauce and aromatic seasonings. This middle eastern-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken legs, skin-on, bone-in, tablespoons vegetable oil, teaspoons salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 530 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken legs, skin-on, bone-in
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups basmati rice, rinsed
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Rub 4 chicken legs with 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon paprika until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Place chicken legs on a baking sheet lined with foil and roast in the oven for 35-40 minutes until skin is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 3: While chicken roasts, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute more.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant and deep red.
- Step 5: Add 3 cups rinsed basmati rice to the pot and stir to coat the grains with tomato mixture.
- Step 6: Pour in 4 cups water, add 1 bay leaf, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed.
- Step 7: Remove bay leaf, stir in 2 tablespoons butter, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and season with salt to taste.
- Step 8: Serve the roasted chicken legs hot alongside the Iraqi red rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Roasted Chicken Legs with Iraqi Red Rice take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Oven-Roasted Chicken Legs with Iraqi Red Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tablespoons vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Chicken Legs with Iraqi Red Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Oven-Roasted Chicken Legs with Iraqi Red Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Oven-Roasted Chicken Legs with Iraqi Red Rice?
Middle Eastern chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
