Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

Succulent Baked Chicken Leg Quarters for Busy Weeknights

These juicy and crispy Baked Chicken Leg Quarters are not only budget-friendly, but they're also incredibly easy to make and full of flavor.

With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of know-how, you will be able to create this perfect dish for busy weeknights.

Jump to:

• What Parts of the Chicken are Leg Quarters?
• Why This Recipe Works?
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Bake Chicken Leg Quarters?
• How Long to Cook Chicken Leg Quarters?
• Top Tips From the Chef
• How to Serve Baked Chicken Leg Quarters?
• Recipe FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

When it comes to cooking Chicken Leg Quarters, baking is the way to go.

Not only does it keep the meat juicy and moist on the inside, but it also creates a mouthwatering crispy, and flavourful skin that's simply irresistible.

Plus, with the convenience of all-in-one sheet pan clean-up, it's a no-brainer for busy weeknights.

And the best part? You can serve your Baked Chicken Leg Quarters whole for a hearty meal or shred the meat for easy meal prep.

Try using the meat in dishes like Chicken and Chorizo Pasta, Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe with White Sauce, Easy Chicken Macaroni Salad, and Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta.

What Parts of the Chicken are Leg Quarters?

Chicken leg quarters are comprised of two parts of chicken: the thigh and the drumstick.

The thigh is the upper part of the leg and is known for its dark meat and tenderness, while the drumstick is the lower part of the leg and is slightly tougher.

Together, these two parts make up the delicious and versatile cut of meat known as the chicken leg quarter.

They are usually available in shops as bone-in, skin-on which makes them extra delicious and tender.

Why This Recipe Works?

• It's a simple and easy recipe that doesn't require any fancy techniques or equipment, making it perfect for beginner cooks.

• They are juicy and moist on the inside with crispy and tasty skin.

• You only need a few simple ingredients that you possibly have in your fridge/pantry.

• This Baked Chicken Leg Quarters dish is also budget-friendly. Leg quarters are one of the most affordable cuts of meat that you can buy.

• It's a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides, from Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips to fluffy Yellow Rice or Creamy Mashed Potatoes.

• The Baked Chicken Leg Quarters dish is a crowd-pleaser that's sure to impress your family and friends, whether you're cooking for a special occasion or a casual dinner.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Chicken leg quarters - To make this recipe, I use bone-in and skin-on whole chicken leg quarters for the best flavor. Pat them dry with a paper towel before baking them, do not rinse. 

• Olive oil - I use good quality olive oil to achieve the best flavor. You can use any other oil you prefer or melted butter to achieve crispier skin.

• Seasoning - The flavorful dry rub is made with basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry such as paprika, black pepper, cajun spices, garlic powder, and salt. You can use chili or Aleppo pepper for extra heat!

How to Bake Chicken Leg Quarters?

Making this delicious Baked Chicken Leg Quarters dish is very simple and straightforward.

However, to achieve the best results you need to follow a few tips and simple steps:

Prepare the Chicken Legs

The key to making the perfect Baked Chicken Leg Quarters is in the preparation.

Before we even think about seasoning, we need to make sure our chicken is properly prepped.

Start by patting them dry with paper towels. Then, using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, remove any excess fat or skin from the legs.

This will help them cook more evenly and prevent any flare-ups in the oven.

Place them in a baking dish or tray skin side up, without overlapping each other.

Season the Legs and Bake

Once the legs are prepped, it's time to season them.

Preheat the oven to 200 ℃ - 390 ℉.

In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, paprika, cajun spices, olive oil, and garlic powder.

Rub the mixture generously all over the chicken legs, making sure to coat them evenly.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 74 ℃ - 165 °F when a meat thermometer is inserted.

Let the chicken legs rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. 

How Long to Cook Chicken Leg Quarters?

You'll need to bake them for approximately 35-40 minutes at 200 ℃ - 390 ℉, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) when a meat thermometer is inserted.

However, cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken legs and the accuracy of your oven.

It's always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat.

Top Tips From the Chef

• To ensure that the chicken legs are cooked evenly, make sure that all the pieces are roughly the same size.

• For extra crispy skin, try drying the chicken with paper towels before seasoning and baking it. This will help to remove any excess moisture and allow the skin to crisp up more effectively.

• Don't be afraid to play around with the seasoning to suit your tastes. While this recipe calls for salt, pepper, paprika, cajun spices, and garlic powder, you can experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor profile.

• Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken legs and the accuracy of your oven. For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat.

• Let the chicken legs rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure that the meat is tender and juicy.

How to Serve Baked Chicken Leg Quarters?

Baked chicken leg quarters are a versatile dish and you can serve them in a variety of ways. Here are a few of my favorite serving suggestions:

• With a side of roasted vegetables, such as Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes, Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, and Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts.

• Over a bed of fluffy Turkish Rice Pilaf (Sehriyeli Pilav) or Bulgur Pilavi (Turkish Bulgur Rice Pilaf).

• With a side of Pomme Purée(Creamy Mashed Potatoes) or Authentic Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes.

• With a bowl of fresh garden salad such as Persian Shirazi Salad or Lebanese Fattoush Salad.

• With a side of warm, crusty bread such as Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread or Black Pepper Sourdough Focaccia for soaking up any leftover juices.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For more delicious quick and easy budget-friendly recipes why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this crispy and juicy Baked Chicken Leg Quarters recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂

Bon appétit! / Afiyet Olsun! 

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