Baked Chicken Leg Quarters are a crispy, juicy, and flavor-packed healthy dish. Usually made with chicken leg quarters, olive oil, lemon juice, basic seasonings, and herbs, this dish is easy to make and delivers the best flavor when baked correctly. It pairs well with roasted or baked vegetables, side dishes, and salads of your choice for both lunch and dinner.
The recipe I have shared here is for Baked Chicken Leg Quarters, complete with easy step-by-step instructions. Additionally, a detailed video of the recipe is provided below to make the cooking process even clearer.
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What is Baked Chicken Leg Quarters?
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters are a crispy, golden exterior, juicy and healthy dish. Made with simple ingredients like chicken leg quarters, olive oil, basic seasonings, lemon juice, and your choice of herbs, it is a healthy option for a satisfying meal. The skin on the leg quarters delivers a satisfying crispiness, while the meat remains tender and succulent. Serve it alongside roasted or baked vegetables, vegetable side dishes, or a fresh salad for a well-rounded and healthy dinner option.
Baking is a versatile method to cook chicken leg quarters, ensuring that they turn out perfectly every time. Leg quarters consist of the thigh and drumstick, attached, providing a combination of dark and white meat. When you bake the leg quarters correctly, they turn out tender and moist, with the skin becoming crispy and delicious. This cooking method also helps the meat retain its natural flavors and juices, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Just like chicken thighs and chicken breasts, chicken leg quarters also deliver a delicious meal with bursting flavors. Whether you're planning a chicken dinner for the family or hosting a gathering, leg quarters are a perfect choice.
The combination of dark and white meat provides a rich and robust flavor that is sure to be enjoyed by everyone. Serve it with your favorite side dishes, such as vegetables, or a refreshing coleslaw, and watch as the whole family indulges in this delightful and satisfying meal.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The ingredients you will need to make this Baked Chicken Leg Quarters are basic seasonings. So let's see what are they below.
- Chicken Leg Quarters: Skin-on chicken leg quarters are best for baking because the skin delivers a crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy. However, you can also use skinless quarters if that's handy for you
- Seasonings: Spice powders like onion, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and chili powder deliver a warm, savory, and spicy flavor to your chicken. If you prefer less heat, you can use a mild paprika or adjust the heat level to your preferences
- Herbs: In addition to spice powders, herbs such as fresh cilantro, dried thyme, parsley, or basil leaves can be a great addition to your seasoning blend to enhance the flavor
- Lemon Juice: It adds a refreshing zesty flavor to your chicken
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Baked Chicken Leg Quarters at Home?
The recipe I have shared here is Baked Chicken Leg Quarters, a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for any occasion. With crispy golden skin and tender, juicy meat, they are flavorful and satisfying. You can serve them with your favorite sides for a complete and satisfying meal.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
- Prep chicken leg quarters: To begin, you will need to dry the chicken leg quarters with a kitchen towel. This step is important because it helps to remove any excess moisture from the chicken, which allows the skin to crisp up nicely during baking
- Prep spice rub: Next, you'll need to make a spice rub for the chicken. The spice rub consists of garlic, ginger, garlic, onion, black pepper, chili powder, and salt. Mix these spices in a bowl
- Season the chicken: Coat the chicken leg quarters with the spice rub, along with some lemon juice and olive oil
- Place the chicken: Now place the chicken quarters onto a parchment paper-lined baking tray
- Bake Chicken Quarters: Bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 30 to 35 minutes. It is important to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a kitchen thermometer to ensure that it has reached a safe temperature for consumption. The FDA recommends that chicken's safest internal temperature to consume is 165°F. However, since Chicken Leg Quarters are dark meat, they can be cooked to a higher temperature of 175°F for even juicier and more succulent meat
- Remove and rest: Remove the leg quarters from the oven and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes. This helps to ensure that the juices are evenly distributed throughout the meat, making it even more tender and flavorful
- Garnish and serve: Finally, garnish it with fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley leaves
Tips
- Season the chicken: You can season the Chicken leg quarters with a variety of herbs and spices to enhance their flavor. You can use a simple seasoning or seasonings like cajun seasoning, creole seasoning, fajita seasoning, and blackened seasoning work very well for baking chicken
- Use a baking dish: A baking dish is the best choice for baking chicken leg quarters. Make sure the baking dish is large enough to hold the chicken without crowding. However, you can also use parchment lined baking tray if that is more convenient for you
- Bake at the right temperature: Baking Chicken Leg Quarters at 400°F for 30-35 minutes is a good rule of thumb. However, the exact time and temperature will depend on the size of the chicken and your oven
- Use a meat thermometer: To ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F according to FDA. However, you can also reach upto 175°F for dark meats
- Let it rest: After removing the chicken from the oven, allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the chicken moist
Storage Suggestions
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters taste great when served warm and fresh. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in a closed airtight container. To reheat, there are a few methods you can use. One option is to place the drumsticks in the oven or air fryer and heat them at 375°F (190°C) until they are reheated.
Serving Suggestions
There are many side dishes that go well with Baked Chicken Leg Quarters. Here are a few suggestions:
- Roasted or baked vegetables: Roasted vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are a healthy choice that complements the flavor of Baked Chicken leg quarters
- Salad: A simple green salad or a Caesar salad can be also a refreshing and light side dish to balance out the richness of the chicken
- Rice dishes or grains: Quinoa or Rice is a versatile and easy-to-make side dish that complements the chicken. White rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice can be a great side. You can also serve the chicken with other flavored rice like Spanish rice or fried rice
- Potatoes: Creamy and comforting baked potatoes or roasted potatoes are a classic side dish that pairs well with this dish
- Corn on the cob: Sweet and juicy corn on the cob is a classic summer side dish that goes well with baked chicken leg quarters
- Baked beans: Sweet and savory baked beans are a great side dish for barbecue-style Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
Related Recipes
You could also find similar recipes below and more at chicken thighs recipes, and roasted and baked meat recipes.
- Baked Chicken Thighs
- Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Baked Chicken Wings
- Oven Roasted Chicken
- Baked Chicken Parmesan
- Oven Fried Chicken
- Oven Fried Chicken Tenders
- Tandoori Chicken
- Baked Chicken and Rice
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Baked Chicken leg Quarters Recipe below that I hope will help you make a healthy and delicious meal at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Leg Quarters
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ¾ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tbsp Chili Powder, or paprika, choose less heat variety to reduce the spice
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
To make Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
- To start, pat dry the chicken with a kitchen towel. This will help to crisp up the skin when baking. Set the chicken aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine garlic, ginger, onion, black pepper, chili powder, and salt. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. If you prefer more spice, you can use chili powder for added heat or paprika for a milder option. Keep in mind that paprika comes in a range of spice levels, so select a variety that matches your desired level of heat
- In another bowl, add the chicken leg quarters, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and the prepared seasoning powder. Rub the mixture onto all sides of the leg quarters until they are evenly coated. If time allows, let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes to enhance the flavor of the spices
- Next, place the marinated chicken leg quarters onto a parchment paper-lined baking tray
- Bake the chicken at 400°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until it is fully cooked. The FDA recommends an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption of chicken. However, since chicken leg quarters are dark meat, you can cook them up to 175°F for juicier and more succulent meat. Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked
- Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley leaves before serving
To Serve
- Serve the juicy Baked Chicken Leg Quarters with some healthy vegetable side dishes like sautéed mushrooms, sauteed green beans, or sauteed asparagus. Roasted vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, green beans, or carrots also make great options for a nutritious and filling meal
Video
Notes
- Season the chicken: You can season the Chicken leg quarters with a variety of herbs and spices to enhance their flavor. You can use a simple seasoning or seasonings like cajun seasoning, creole seasoning, fajita seasoning, and blackened seasoning work very well for baking chicken
- Use a baking dish: A baking dish is the best choice for baking chicken leg quarters. Make sure the baking dish is large enough to hold the chicken without crowding. However, you can also use parchment lined baking tray if that is more convenient for you
- Bake at the right temperature: Baking Chicken Leg Quarters at 400°F for 30-35 minutes is a good rule of thumb. However, the exact time and temperature will depend on the size of the chicken and your oven
- Use a meat thermometer: To ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) according to FDA. However, you can also reach up to 175°F for dark meats
- Let it rest: After removing the chicken from the oven, allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the chicken moist
Nutrition
FAQ
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters are a cut of chicken that includes the leg and thigh. They are typically baked in the oven with basic seasonings and herbs until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and juicy. This dish is a flavorful and satisfying meal that pairs well with a variety of side dishes.
The baking time for Chicken Leg Quarters depends on the temperature and cooking method used. Generally, it takes about 30-35 minutes to bake chicken leg quarters at 400°F or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. However, it is important to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat. The baking time may also vary depending on the size and thickness of the Chicken Leg Quarters.
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters can be great with a variety of side dishes such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, salad, or bread.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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