Southwest-Spiced Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe: A Chance to Savor the Perfectly Cooked Chicken Legs

Do you love chicken legs? If yes, then you are in for a treat, as this recipe is a perfect blend of simple ingredients and flavors that will give you the best air-fried chicken legs. Chicken legs are affordable, versatile, and perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. There are different ways to cook chicken legs, but this recipe will show you how to make the best Southwest-spiced air fryer chicken legs that can be paired with a variety of side dishes. Let’s get started with the recipe.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

– Six chicken legs
– Two teaspoons of salt
– One tablespoon of chili powder
– One tablespoon of paprika
– One teaspoon of cumin
– Half a teaspoon of garlic powder
– Half a teaspoon of onion powder
– Half a teaspoon of black pepper
– A quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper
– Cooking spray

Preparation

Follow the below steps to prepare your Southwest-spiced air fryer chicken legs:

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

Step 2: In a bowl, mix all the spices (salt, chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper).

Step 3: Rinse the chicken legs and pat dry with a paper towel.

Step 4: Rub the chicken legs with the spice mixture, making sure to coat every part, including the skin.

Step 5: Place the chicken legs in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer.

Step 6: Lightly spray the chicken legs with cooking spray.

Cooking

Follow the below steps to cook your Southwest-spiced air fryer chicken legs:

Step 1: Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 25 minutes.

Step 2: Flip the chicken legs and spray with cooking spray.

Step 3: Cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken legs reaches 165°F.

Step 4: Remove the chicken legs from the air fryer, let them rest for 5 minutes, and then serve hot.

Serving

You can serve your Southwest-spiced air fryer chicken legs with a variety of side dishes, including vegetables, salads, baked potatoes, rice, or mac and cheese. These chicken legs are juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned with a subtle kick of spice that is not overwhelming but still full of flavor. Your family and friends will love them and will ask for seconds.

Variations

You can vary this recipe in different ways to suit your taste preferences. For example, you can add some honey to the spice mixture to give the chicken legs a sweet and spicy flavor. You can also use different spices such as oregano, thyme, or rosemary to change the flavor profile. If you like your chicken legs super crispy, you can toss them in a little bit of cornstarch before air frying them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this Southwest-spiced air fryer chicken legs recipe is a perfect way to savor the perfectly cooked chicken legs. It is a simple, quick, and tasty recipe that is perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend barbecues. With the right blend of spices and cooking technique, these chicken legs will become one of your favorite meals. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your chicken legs, spices, and air fryer, and give this recipe a try. Your taste buds will thank you!