I love finding new and innovative ways to cook meals in the microwave. It’s quick, easy, and convenient. One dish that I’ve recently discovered how to cook in the microwave is chicken legs. Yes, you heard that right – juicy, flavorful chicken legs cooked to perfection in the microwave. In this article, I’ll share with you my tried and tested recipe for cooking chicken legs in the microwave. So let’s get started!
Gather Your Ingredients
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s gather all the ingredients we’ll need for this delicious dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
– Chicken Legs:
The star of the show – chicken legs! You can use fresh or frozen chicken legs for this recipe. If using frozen chicken legs, make sure to thaw them completely before cooking.
– Seasonings:
To bring out the flavors of the chicken, we’ll need some seasonings. I recommend using a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. However, feel free to add any other seasonings of your choice to suit your taste buds.
– Olive Oil:
We’ll also need some olive oil to help keep the chicken legs moist during cooking.
– Microwave-safe Dish:
Choose a microwave-safe dish large enough to hold all the chicken legs without overcrowding. A glass or ceramic dish works well for this recipe.
– Microwave Cover or Microwave-safe Wrap:
To prevent any splattering, it’s essential to cover the dish while cooking. You can either use a microwave-safe cover or simply cover the dish with microwave-safe wrap.
Now that we have all the ingredients ready let’s move on to the cooking process.
Prepare the Chicken Legs
Start by rinsing the chicken legs under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels. Place the chicken legs in the microwave-safe dish, ensuring they are spaced evenly and not touching each other.
Season the Chicken Legs
Sprinkle both sides of the chicken legs with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Make sure to season them generously, as the flavors tend to mellow out during cooking. Drizzle a little olive oil over the chicken legs to help keep them moist.
Cover the Dish
Once you’ve seasoned the chicken legs, cover the microwave-safe dish with either a microwave-safe cover or microwave-safe wrap. This will help trap the moisture and prevent any splattering during cooking.
Cook the Chicken Legs
Now it’s time to cook the chicken legs in the microwave. Start by cooking them on high heat for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, carefully remove the dish from the microwave and flip the chicken legs over using tongs. Be cautious as the dish may be hot.
Check for Doneness
To ensure that the chicken legs are cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken legs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be considered safe to eat.
Cook for Additional Time If Needed
If the chicken legs have not reached the desired internal temperature, place them back in the microwave and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, checking the temperature again afterward. Repeat this process until the chicken legs have reached 165°F (74°C) and are cooked through.
Final Touches
Once the chicken legs are cooked through, remove them from the microwave and let them rest for a few minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making them even more flavorful and tender.
Serve the chicken legs hot with your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. You can also brush them with barbecue sauce or your favorite glaze for an extra touch of flavor.
Cooking Chicken Legs in the Microwave – A Quick and Easy Dish
Who said you can’t cook delicious meals in the microwave? This recipe for cooking chicken legs in the microwave proves that you can whip up a flavorful and juicy dish in no time. So the next time you’re looking for a quick and easy meal idea, give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!