August 5, 2022
updated
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This chicken leg quarters recipe yields perfectly seasoned chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat.
5-min prep by grabbing basic pantry staple seasonings like garlic powder, onion, powder, and paprika, rub it over the chicken leg quarters, and let the oven do the rest!
What are Chicken Leg Quarters
Chicken leg quarters are one solid piece of chicken made up of the thigh, drumstick, and part of the back of the chicken. The name comes from how much of the bird is in one piece, approximately one quarter.
Ingredients for Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
The best part of this baked chicken leg quarters recipe is that an epic outcome awaits with minimal ingredients. This is what you’ll need:
- Chicken leg quarters: the star of today’s meal. Prep them by removing any excess fat and pat-drying with a paper towel.
- Salt and black pepper: on both sides of the chicken leg quarters for seasoning.
- Olive oil: for flavor and helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken.
- Paprika: smoked, Spanish, even spicy work here. You’ll love the depth of flavor this simple seasoning brings to the recipe.
- Garlic powder: for flavor. Fresh cloves can be used; however, it’s likely to burn during cooking.
- Onion powder: for flavor.
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How to Bake Chicken Leg Quarters in the Oven
The beauty of this baked chicken leg quarters recipe is that after minimal prep, the oven does the work for you.
While you’ll find a printable recipe below, let me prepare you for the ease of this recipe by sharing that you’ll need to:
- Get the oven ready
Place the oven rack into the middle position, preheat the oven to 400F (205C), and grease a baking dish with oil. - Prep the chicken leg quarters
Trim the chicken pieces of excess fat and pat dry with a paper towel. Generously season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and place them in the baking dish, skin-side up. - Make the magic sauce
In a small bowl, combine the spices and the olive oil. - Rub the chicken
Rub the crazy good mixture all over the chicken leg quarter pieces. - Bake
Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven or until the internal temperature has reached 175F (80 C). Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and serve.
You can watch this video to see the entire process above and get a good view of the delicious results.
How Long Does it Take to Bake Chicken Leg Quarters?
In a 400F preheated oven, chicken leg quarters will take between 40 and 50 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 175F (80C).
If baking at a lower temperature, such as 350F or 375F, chicken leg quarters will take 50 minutes to 1 hour until the internal temperature reaches 175F (80C)
Check out the chart below for more.
Best Temperature to Bake Chicken Leg Quarters?
Since leg quarters come with the bone-in and skin-on, you can reference the following chart for the appropriate cooking temperature and time, depending on how hot you want the oven.
| Oven Temp | Average Time | Internal Temp |
|---|---|---|
| 350F (175C) | 1 hour | 175F (80C) |
| 375F (190C) | 50 min | 175F (80C) |
| 400F (200C) | 40 min | 175F (80C) |
| 425F (218C) | not recommended | 175F (80C) |
Knowing the different temperatures to bake chicken is helpful for days when you want to make an entire meal in the oven. You can purposely select a temperature that will cook the chicken and your choice of vegetables without burning one or the other.
Are Chicken Leg Quarters White or Dark Meat?
Chicken leg quarters are considered dark meat since it’s made up of the drumstick, the thigh, and some of the back of the chicken. Because of this, they’re not only delicious but also super juicy!
What Internal Temperature to Cook Chicken Leg Quarters
Chicken leg quarters are made up of “dark chicken meat” and, therefore, should be cooked to an internal temperature of 175F (80C).
To measure internal temperature, use a meat thermometer and insert it through the thickest part of the thigh and again in the drumstick, avoiding the bone.
Are Chicken Leg Quarters Dry?
Chicken leg quarters consist of all the juiciest parts of the chicken, drumstick, thigh, and part of the back, and therefore, they’re never dry!
Because of this, and they are a bone-in cut, it’s practically impossible to overcook them in the oven, making them one of the most forgiving pieces of chicken.
Leftover Storage and Reheating Tips
Leftover chicken can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days or placed in freezer-safe zip bags and frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator and reheat using the method below.
There are a few ways to reheat chicken without drying it out, but my favorite method is in the oven; it keeps all the flavors intact and the skin crispy.
To do this, place the chicken pieces in a baking dish with 1 cup of chicken broth, cover with foil, and bake at 350F for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
What to Serve with Chicken Leg Quarters
The best thing about chicken leg quarters is that they go with just about anything! Here are some recipe ideas to consider:
Epic Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken leg quarters
- Salt and black pepper, for seasoning
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon powdered garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Place the oven rack into the middle position, preheat the oven to 400F (205C), and grease a baking dish with oil.
- Trim the chicken pieces of excess fat and pat dry with a paper towel. Generously season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and place them in the baking dish, skin-side up.
- In a small bowl, combine the spices and the olive oil. Rub mixture all over the thighs.
- Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven or until the internal temperature has reached 175F (80 C).
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and serve.
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