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Baked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe

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Chicken leg quarters are the perfect change of pace to your dinnertime lineup. They’re juicy, flavorful, and tender, but let us not forget the best part — that beautiful, golden, crispy skin.

This recipe for baked chicken leg quarters is a must-try, and your chicken is guaranteed to be perfectly cooked and exploding with flavor the moment it comes out of the oven. But, the best part? The prep work is extremely minimal and this is one easy dinner to slam out. In addition to a simple method for baking up a batch of perfect leg quarters, we’ll also cover why rosemary and lemon will take your chicken to the next level, as well as the simple time and temperature combo for baking up golden-brown crispy leg quarters without fail.

Baked Chicken Thighs

Chicken leg quarters may look intimidating to those who haven’t worked with them before, but just like a whole-roasted chicken, all you need is a little know-how and a whole lot of flavor, and you’ve got one more scrumptious staple to add to your dinnertime lineup.

If you’ve ever had a perfectly baked chicken leg quarter, you know getting this recipe under your belt will be well worth it.

WHAT ARE CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS?

Chicken leg quarters are the thigh and drumstick of the chicken, which means this is a dark meat cut. Typically when you butcher a whole chicken, you separate the thigh and the chicken. However, in the case of the leg quarter, you leave them attached to one another. This creates an impressively sized hunk of chicken and one that makes one heck of a dinnertime entree.

WHY ARE CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS SO CHEAP?

If you’re wondering why chicken leg quarters are such a marvelously economical cut of bird, it’s likely due to the fact that there is less butchering involved on the processor’s end. Ever noticed you can get a whole chicken for almost the same price as boneless, skinless chicken breasts? It’s more than double the meat, yet the price doesn’t reflect it at all.

The leg and thigh are still attached with the skin on when you purchase chicken leg quarters. This means more meat and more flavor for you, along with a smaller price tag. This is a win-win, people.

HOW TO MAKE CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS

These crispy, baked chicken leg quarters are seriously easy to make, and if you’re looking to the lemon zest and freshly minced rosemary and stick with the basics, that’s no problem at all. You’ll still end up with a juicy, flavorful, tender baked chicken leg quarter the entire family will swoon for.

  1. Pat leg quarters dry with a paper towel.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400° and prepare a rimmed pan with rack.
  3. Combine butter, oil, fresh herbs (if using) and seasoning in a small bowl.
  4. Spread the mixture across chicken leg quarters, and sprinkle with additional seasoning.
  5. Bake 40-45 minutes, until chicken reaches 175°- 180°.
  6. Allow to rest 10 minutes and serve!

WHY PAT THE CHICKEN DRY?

Before you add the seasoning to the chicken leg quarters you should first pat them dry with a paper towel. This helps to remove any excess moisture from the chicken and allows for the butter mixture to better adhere to the skin.

TIME AND TEMPERATURE FOR BAKED CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS

When it comes to chicken leg quarters with crispy skin, it’s all about oil, temperature, and time. Without a coating of oil (olive oil in this case) your chicken wouldn’t develop that beautiful, golden brown exterior. Butter also helps the chicken along when it comes to browning, and gives it a great deal of flavor.

Baking the chicken at 400° for 40-45 minutes is the perfect combination to create a crispy, baked leg quarter you just can’t help but sink your teeth into.

WHAT TEMPERATURE ARE CHICKEN LEG QUARTER DONE?

Baked Chicken Leg Quarters are done once they reach an internal temperature of 180°. However, the chicken will continue to cook even after it comes out of the oven, so you can safely pull it at 175° and the temperature should reach its final destination after resting 10 minutes or so.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR RECIPE!

You can easily take this recipe and make it your own. As we discussed earlier, the addition of fresh rosemary and lemon zest are optional, as is the seasoning. You can use just about any combination of herbs you like, as well as your own favorite poultry blend.

To customize your own chicken leg quarter recipe, simply omit the herbs and spices from this recipe, and use your favorites in their place. However, for best results, be sure to keep all other aspects of the recipe and process the same.

Everyone loves a good chicken leg quarter recipe, the sheer size of them alone is impressive. But, when you can make a crispy, baked chicken leg quarter this good, the flavor is what’s really impressive. That and the fact that they’re perfectly crispy on the outside, yet succulent and juicy on the inside.

It’s a family dinner your crew will adore having added to the lineup, but also a very economical choice for a dinner party! They present beautifully and save you a pretty penny all at the same time. Please, enjoy.

6 MORE EASY CHICKEN DINNERS TO TRY:

  • BBQ Baked Chicken Quarters are easy to make and perfectly cooked. Simple, baked leg quarters brushed with BBQ sauce!
  • Baked Barbecue Chicken features perfectly cooked dark meat chicken (both legs and thighs) coated in a sticky, sweet BBQ sauce and baked to perfection.
  • Perfect Pan Seared Chicken is simple, easy, and cooks up quick! It’s perfect for a healthy dinnertime entree and great for topping salads.
  • Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders features budget-friendly chicken strips coated in a crunchy Parmesan-Panko crust and baked. Serve them with marinara for dipping as an extra special touch!
  • Smothered Chicken with Bacon, Cheese, and Honey Mustard is the perfect way to dress up chicken breasts. It’s great for weeknight family dinners, loaded with flavor and the perfect balance of savory sweet!
  • Baked Chicken with Ranchero Sauce is healthy, easy to make, and super flavorful! Chicken Breasts are topped with Monterrey Jack Cheese and baked in sauce. Serve with sliced avocados and corn tortillas.

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4.77 from 43 votes
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe
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Baked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 

A baked chicken leg quarter recipe for perfectly cooked, flavorful leg quarters coated in butter and olive oil, and seasoned with fresh rosemary and lemon zest.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 657 kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony
Ingredients
  • 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters (4-6 leg quarters)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons freshly minced rosemary (optional)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons Kosher salt, separated
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Pat the leg quarters dry with a paper towel and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a rack on top (an oven-safe cooling rack works fine).

  2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the butter, oil, rosemary, 2 teaspoons Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon zest. Whisk until well combined. 

  3. Spread the mixture generously all over the leg quarters, then sprinkle a 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt evenly across the top of the leg quarters. 

  4. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°-180°. Allow to rest 10 minutes, serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 657 Calories from Fat 477
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 53g 82%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 266mg 89%
Sodium 1071mg 45%
Potassium 534mg 15%
Total Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 41g 82%
Vitamin A 7.5%
Calcium 2.4%
Iron 10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe

MORE CHICKEN LEG QUARTER RECIPES TO CHOOSE FROM

Roasted Cast Iron Chicken from Dude That Cookz is looking about as crispy as they come. It features pan-seared and baked chicken leg quarters accompanied by a bed of wilted spinach and mushroom. A savory combo made in heaven.

Chicken Leg Quarter Recipes

I’m also obsessing a little bit over Beyond The Chicken Coop’s Beer Basted BBQ Chicken. It features chicken leg quarters basted butter, beer, rosemary (see? everyone loves rosemary and chicken), and garlic and grilled to perfection. A perfect leg quarter recipe for summertime eats!

Eat Little Bird’s take on leg quarters has a Thai spin with notes of lemongrass, coriander, ginger, and chilies.  Yes, please.

Thai Sticky Chicken

You might also like:

Perfect Pan-Seared Chicken in 4 Easy Steps

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Comments

  3. This looks super delicious! I always choose leg quarters or boneless thighs for our chicken meals. I feel like it has so much more flavor and is moister than breast meat. Can’t wait to try your recipe out,

    Reply

  9. I adore baked chicken leg quarters but I have my go-to spice blend I always use – these sound delicious and would definitely be a nice changeup from our usual! ESPECIALLY since I cannot get enough lemon in my life! I like to broil them for a couple minutes at the very end just to get the skin extra-crispy! Adding these to my meal plan for sure!

    Reply

  10. Lemon and rosemary are so fantastic together! and on chicken…. perfect! We haven’t made this in a while, so now is a great time. I just brought my potted rosemary indoors too… determined not to kill it this year!

    Reply

  12. You can never go wrong with a great chicken recipe. The legs are the best part. These look super juicy and delicious. A family dinner pleaser for sure.

    Reply

  13. I’m such a dark meat person, and these leg quarter look amazing! I love the combination of rosemary and lemon. Definitely adding this to my weekly rotation!

    Reply

  15. Sometimes leg quarters are underestimated but they are so flavorful and juicy. Better than the white chicken breast. I love the fact that the finish on this chicken has a perfect roast. Need to make this recipe this fall.

    Reply

  17. I’m a 100% dark meat chicken girl, so this recipe is right up my alley 🙂 I love the simplicity of this dish, and it will go with all kinds of sides. Saving this one for sure!

    Reply

  19. I love using chicken leg quarters! I make curry with them and casseroles! So much more flavour than breast! When roasting I add rosemary but have never tried with lemon zest too. Have to remember that!

    Reply

  22. These look great. Rosemary, Lemon, Salt and pepper are classic seasonings for roasts. and the butter makes for a crispy skin. Roast chicken is a regular in our kitchen, with all different permutations. Your photos are lovely too! Nice to have discovered your blog.

    Reply

  23. I love chicken leg quarters!! I don’t go for breast meat if there is thigh meat for me to devour!! These leg quarters look perfect!! Love the simplicity of them and they look delicious!

    Reply

  28. I’m simply enjoying all the variations of chicken leg that you have on your blog. I can’t wait to try a few of your chicken leg recipes soon. Thanks for sharing amazing chicken leg recipes

    Reply

  33. Chicken leg quarters are a favorite in my house. The spices you’ve added really takes it over the top! I’m really excited to try this recipe. I bet my family will be surprised when I don’t serve them the same boring chicken I usually give them. LOL! Thanks so much for sharing this!

    Reply

  41. Hi Kelley, John here from Vancouver Island Canada. I noticed there are no comments from men, lol so I thought I post one. I cook for my 81 yr old father and I, we have “chicken leg, back attatched” as they are called here, once a week. They are my favorite part of the bird, easy to cook and the sky is the limit as to spices, coatings etc. I’m one of those, use what I have in the cupboards, cooks. Iv’e crushed up corn flakes and added spices to it for a homemade “shake & bake” coating. I’m going to try the lemon rosemary tonight. Thanks for the recipe and the mouthwatering pics!. Oh and as sell they are so cheap! I bought a pack of 4 for $4.45 Canadian.

    Reply

    • That’s awesome, John! Thanks so much 🙂 And, I LOVE your idea for using crushed up Corn Flakes on chicken! I’ll bet that’s delicious! My husband is a “use what you’ve got” kind of guy too!

      Reply

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