Discover the ultimate comfort food with our Super Easy Crispy & Juicy Chicken Leg Quarters recipe. Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden brown perfection, these chicken leg quarters offer a mouthwatering combination of crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. Ideal for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings, this fuss-free recipe ensures a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal effort. Elevate your dinner game with this simple yet impressive dish that the whole family will love!
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❤️What is there to love about Crispy & Juicy Chicken Leg Quarters❤️
Flavorful Skin: The crispy, well-seasoned skin adds a delightful crunch and a burst of flavor to every bite.
Tender and Juicy Meat: The dark meat of chicken leg quarters stays moist and tender, ensuring a satisfying and succulent eating experience.
Easy to Prepare: This dish is simple to make with minimal prep time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
Versatile: Chicken leg quarters can be paired with a wide variety of sides, from roasted vegetables to mashed cauliflower, making them a versatile addition to any meal.
Affordable: Chicken leg quarters are often more economical than other cuts of chicken, providing a budget-friendly yet delicious meal option.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C)
Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl or on a baking sheet.
Season the Chicken: Pour the olive oil over the prepared chicken and rub it into the skin on both sides. Squeeze half of the lemon juice evenly over the chicken. Next evenly sprinkle the baking powder over the chicken. Next, in a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the chicken leg quarters, making sure they are evenly coated.
Bake the Chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken leg quarters on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the skin is crispy and golden brown. You can check the temperature with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat, without touching the bone.
Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Enjoy: Serve the baked chicken leg quarters with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed cauliflower, or a fresh salad.
Crispy & Juicy Chicken Leg Quarters
Discover the ultimate comfort food with our Super Easy Crispy & Juicy Chicken Leg Quarters recipe. Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden brown perfection, these chicken leg quarters offer a mouthwatering combination of crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. Ideal for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings, this fuss-free recipe ensures a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal effort. Elevate your dinner game with this simple yet impressive dish that the whole family will love!
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C
Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl or on a baking sheet.
Season the Chicken: Pour the olive oil over the prepared chicken and rub it into the skin on both sides. Squeeze half of the lemon juice evenly over the chicken. Next evenly sprinkle the baking powder over the chicken. Next, in a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the chicken leg quarters, making sure they are evenly coated.
Bake the Chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken leg quarters on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the skin is crispy and golden brown. You can check the temperature with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat, without touching the bone.
Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Enjoy: Serve the baked chicken leg quarters with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed cauliflower, or a fresh salad.
Dry the Skin: Pat the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels before seasoning. Dry skin helps achieve a crispy texture.
Season Generously: Use a good amount of salt, pepper, and your favorite spices or herbs. You can use a dry rub or a marinade, but make sure to apply it evenly.
Butter or Oil: Brushing the skin with melted butter or oil before cooking can help with browning and crisping.
Avoid Overcrowding: Make sure the leg quarters have enough space around them during cooking. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of roasting, which prevents the skin from getting crispy.
Searing in a Pan: For an extra crispy skin, you can sear the leg quarters skin-side down in a hot skillet before transferring them to the oven.
Flavor Variations:
Lemon Herb: Marinate with lemon juice, garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Finish with a sprinkle of lemon zest after baking or frying.
Honey Sriracha: Mix a sugar free honey, sriracha sauce, soy sauce, and a touch of garlic. Brush on before baking or frying for a sweet-spicy kick.
Garlic Parmesan: Coat the chicken in a mixture of grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, and a bit of olive oil. Bake until crispy.
Barbecue: Rub with your favorite sugar free barbecue spice blend or sauce before baking. Adjust the sweetness and spiciness to your taste.
Spicy Cajun: Season with Cajun spice mix, which typically includes paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Serve with a side of creamy coleslaw.
Asian-inspired: Use soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of sesame oil. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions after cooking.
Mediterranean: Marinate with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve with a side of tzatziki or hummus.
Maple Mustard: Mix Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and a bit of apple cider vinegar. Brush on the chicken before baking for a sweet and tangy flavor.
Storing, freezing, thawing, and reheating instructions:
Storing:
Cool Down: Allow the chicken leg quarters to cool to room temperature within 2 hours of cooking.
Refrigerate: Place the chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Freezing:
Cool Down: Allow the chicken leg quarters to cool completely.
Wrap: Wrap each chicken leg quarter individually with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Bag: Place the wrapped chicken pieces in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
Thawing:
Refrigerator Thawing: Place the frozen chicken in the refrigerator for 24 hours. This is the safest method and ensures even thawing.
Cold Water Thawing: If you need to thaw the chicken more quickly, place the sealed chicken in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until thawed. This method takes about 1-3 hours.
Microwave Thawing: Use the defrost setting on your microwave. Be sure to cook the chicken immediately after thawing if using this method.
Reheating:
Oven Reheating: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken leg quarters in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Reheat for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Microwave Reheating: Place the chicken leg quarters in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking periodically, until heated through.
Stovetop Reheating: Heat a small amount of oil or broth in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken leg quarters and cover. Heat for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is warmed through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).