Baked Chicken Leg Quarters are super crispy, juicy, tender, and finger-licking good! The chicken quarters are perfectly seasoned with a homemade blend of simple pantry spices.
While baking the chicken quarters delivers delicious results, we have also included air frying the chicken leg quarters.
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- These chicken leg quarters have super crispy skin with the juiciest meat.
- Leftovers make a fabulous lunch.
- Having a party? Baked Chicken Leg Quarters is an easy recipe to make for a crowd.
- This is a great budget-friendly weeknight family dinner recipe.
- My marinated chicken drumsticks recipe has become one of my most popular recipes, so we hope you love this one just as much.
Ingredients
- Chicken Leg Quarters: They are meaty which makes it easy to serve one per person for a simple easy dinner. You can of course use this same recipe on drumsticks, thighs, and breasts. Keep in mind they will be cooked through at different times. As long as they reach an internal temperature of 165°F, the chicken pieces are cooked through.
- Dehydrated Onion/ Dehydrated Garlic: Great for adding texture and flavor to the rub. You can use ground garlic and pepper if you don't have the dehydrated on hand. However, do yourself a favor and pick up some, they are affordable and great seasonings.
- cayenne pepper/chili powder: adds a zip of spice.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor to the chicken and ensures the rub sticks to the chicken.
- Peanut Oil: Searing the poultry in a skillet using peanut oil to lock in the flavors. That gives a gorgeous sear on the chicken. Canola or avocado oil can be used as well.
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Equipment
- Roasting Rack
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Instant Read Thermometer
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- skillet, 9 inch
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400F/204°C. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and place an oven-safe baking rack on top of the foil. Place the chicken quarters on the baking rack and rub them all over with the butter. 
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic, onion, chili powder, and cayenne.
Step 3: Sprinkle or rub the spice mixture all over the chicken pieces. 
Step 4: Place the peanut oil in a medium sized skillet over medium heat and once hot, sear each chicken for 2 minutes on each side. 
Step 5: Then place the chicken in a single layer on the baking rack. 
Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the internal temperature of the meat reads 165°F. 
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in a covered airtight container or storage bag.
Freezer Instructions: Freeze leftover baked chicken quarters by flash-freezing the cooked chicken on a baking sheet in the freezer for about 45 minutes. They will be semi-frozen and when you place them in a freezer bag, they won't stick together. They can be frozen up to 4 months as long as they are well sealed.
You can defrost them overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven at 350°F until the chicken is warmed through, around 20 minutes.
A microwave, using the manufacturer's instructions for defrosting can also be used. The quarters can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Expert Tips
Expert Tip: Be sure and pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before you coat it with butter. This ensures the butter and the spices adhere to the skin.
- For best results, leave the skin on the chicken while baking to seal in the juices.
- Be sure to heat your oven to 400°F before placing the chicken in to roast.
- The best way to know that your poultry is cooked is to use a meat thermometer. As FoodSafety.gov tells us, the chicken should be at 165°F when cooked through.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it is an extra step, I highly recommend not skipping it. That extra step ensures juicy chicken that is so tender.
The drumstick and thigh of the chicken remain connected and are called the chicken leg quarters.
The chicken leg quarter includes a thigh and drumstick piece of a chicken, attached together.
Sure. The skin contains flavor but it can be removed before roasting in the oven. The fat content will also be reduced by removing the skin.
Absolutely. I will include the instructions in the recipe below. Air fry at 400°F for about 20 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and continue to cook another 10-12 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
Variations
- The same process can be used with chicken thighs, drumsticks, and breasts.
- Our homemade chicken rub is a great option for any type of chicken.
- Feel free to change up your spices. For example Cajun Seasoning, Homemade Seasoned Salt, Greek Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, or Italian Seasoning.
- Thyme, Paprika, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, and Kosher Salt are other great seasoning choices.
- Lemon pepper seasoning is another great choice.
- Use any favorite oil, including olive oil or avocado oil.
Serving Suggestions
A meal that screams comfort food would include my Granny's famous Mashed Potatoes.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are always delicious with any chicken recipe.
Roasted Red Potatoes and Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes are two of our favorites to make with these roasted chicken quarters because they all bake in the oven, a no-brainer tasty dinner.
Arugula Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette is a light and easy side salad.
A Greek Orzo Salad is another great choice and the leftovers are great for lunch.
Oven Roasted Green Beans for a low-calorie/low-carb side dish.
I'm on a roasted kick, this asparagus recipe is fantastic too.
Hawaiian Rolls are a fantastic side dish for any chicken recipe.
Similar recipes
- This Korean BBQ Chicken is a stovetop recipe, ready in 20 minutes.
- Chicken Sausage Vegetable Skillet is a family favorite.
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken is a great recipe for getting your meat cooked for salads and casseroles.
- Chicken Piccata is a reader and family favorite.
- My family loves this Chicken Cacciatore, with both Instant Pot and stove top directions.
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake is tasty, quick dinner casserole.
- Dry Rub Chicken Wings are always a hit with my family and friends.
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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 4 chicken leg quarters usually around 6- 8 ounces per leg quarter
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
Chicken Spice Rub
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dehydrated garlic Note 3
- 1 teaspoon dehydrated onion
- 2 teaspoons chili powder Note 4
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, note 4
- 2 Tablespoons peanut oil, for searing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and place an oven-safe baking rack on it.
- Place the chicken quarters on the baking rack and rub all over with the butter.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic, onion, chili powder and cayenne. Adjust seasoning as desired.
- Sprinkle or rub the spice mixture all over the chicken.
- Place the peanut oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat and once hot, sear each chicken for 2 minutes on each side, or until the chicken skin becomes golden brown.
- Then place the chicken back on the baking rack.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until a meat thermometer reads 165°F.
