Baked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe

Chicken leg quarters: These are the main protein for the dish, providing a juicy and flavorful base.

Olive oil: Used to coat the chicken, helping to crisp the skin and add a rich flavor.

Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the chicken and other seasonings.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the seasoning mix.

Garlic powder: Provides a savory, aromatic flavor that complements the chicken.

Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and vibrant color to the dish.

To ensure the chicken leg quarters are evenly cooked and have a crispy skin, try placing a wire rack on the baking sheet. This allows air to circulate around the chicken, promoting even cooking and crisping up the skin. Additionally, pat the chicken dry with paper towels before drizzling the olive oil to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a better sear.

• chicken leg quarters - Substitute with chicken thighs: Chicken thighs have a similar flavor and texture, making them a good alternative.

• chicken leg quarters - Substitute with chicken drumsticks: Drumsticks are also dark meat and will cook similarly to leg quarters.

• olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a similar smoke point, making it a good substitute for olive oil.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, suitable for baking chicken.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty flavor along with umami, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has larger grains and a cleaner taste, making it a good alternative to regular table salt.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat profile but a slightly different flavor, suitable for those who prefer a milder taste.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds heat and a different flavor profile, suitable for those who like a bit of spice.

• garlic powder - Substitute with fresh garlic: Fresh garlic provides a more intense and aromatic flavor compared to garlic powder.

• garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: Onion powder can provide a similar depth of flavor, though it will be slightly different.

• paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a smoky flavor along with the color, enhancing the dish.

• paprika - Substitute with chili powder: Chili powder adds a bit of heat and a similar color, suitable for those who like a spicier dish.

• Allow the baked chicken leg quarters to cool down to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation and sogginess.
• For short-term storage, place the chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• If you plan to freeze the chicken, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Then, place the wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. Frozen baked chicken leg quarters can be stored for up to 3 months.
• To reheat refrigerated chicken, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Heat for about 20 minutes or until warmed through.
• For reheating frozen chicken, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, follow the same reheating instructions as for refrigerated chicken.
• Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in a microwave. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking and turning halfway through.
• To maintain the crispy skin, you can finish reheating the chicken under the broiler for a few minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
• Serve the reheated baked chicken leg quarters with your favorite side dishes like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken leg quarters in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  3. Heat for about 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  4. For a crispy skin, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of reheating.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil.
  2. Place the chicken leg quarters in the skillet, skin-side down.
  3. Cover and heat for 5-7 minutes, then flip and heat for another 5-7 minutes until warmed through and the skin is crispy.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken leg quarters on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, then check the temperature. Continue heating in 1-minute increments until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken leg quarters in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide water bath to 165°F (74°C).
  2. Place the chicken leg quarters in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable bag using the water displacement method.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  4. For a crispy skin, sear the chicken leg quarters in a hot skillet with olive oil for 1-2 minutes per side after sous vide reheating.

• Oven: used to bake the chicken leg quarters at the required temperature of 400°f (200°c)

• Baking sheet: provides a flat surface to place the chicken leg quarters for even cooking

• Meat thermometer: ensures the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°f (74°c) for safe consumption

• Basting brush: helps to evenly distribute the olive oil over the chicken

• Measuring spoons: used to measure out the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika accurately

• Tongs: useful for handling the hot chicken leg quarters when removing them from the oven

• Aluminum foil: can be used to line the baking sheet for easier cleanup

• Cooling rack: allows the chicken to rest properly after baking, ensuring juices redistribute evenly

Preheat efficiently: Preheat your oven while you prepare the chicken leg quarters to save time.

Use a baking sheet liner: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.

Mix seasonings ahead: Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl before starting.

Batch prep: Prepare multiple chicken leg quarters at once and store them in the fridge for quick meals later.

Resting time: Use the 5-minute resting period to prepare a quick side dish or salad.