These Oven Baked Chicken Leg Quarters are perfectly seasoned, tender, and deliciously crispy. It’s a must-try recipe that brings comfort and flavor straight from your oven.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
Sometimes, simplicity is best, and it doesn't get much easier than seasoning chicken and baking it in the oven. This simple yet delicious recipe is always on our meal plan, mainly because it's so easy to prepare and always turns out perfectly. Who doesn't love crispy baked chicken?
For this recipe, I use a premade seasonings for ease. It can be homemade or your favorite store-bought brand. It's all about personal preference and what works best for you and your family.
Depending on how I season my chicken, I tend to bake these in a 13x9 pan and use the drippings to make gravy. Talk about a delicious home-cooked meal. You could add some cut-up potatoes and carrots to get a full meal in one dish.
If you love easy oven-baked recipes, try my oven-baked fish.
Ingredients You'll Need
Ingredient Amounts and full recipe instructions are in Printable Recipe Card at the bottom of the post.
- Chicken leg quarters - skin on, bone-in.
- Olive oil - to help the seasoning stick to the chicken and help it brown in the oven.
- All-purpose seasoning - or any seasoning blend you prefer. Even just salt and pepper will do. Some other favorites are chicken seasoning or lemon pepper.
Tools You'll Need
- large baking dish or baking sheet lined with foil
- Paper towels
- Meat thermometer
- Tongs
How to Make Oven Baked Chicken Quarters
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). A hot oven is crucial for getting that crispy skin we all love.
Place the seasoned chicken quarters in the baking dish or on a sheet pan. Make sure they’re not touching too much—this helps them cook evenly.
Pat the chicken quarters dry with paper towels. Rub the olive oil all over the chicken quarters, making sure to coat both sides. Then sprinkle the all-purpose seasoning evenly over the chicken. Use your hands to season under the skin for an extra flavor boost.
Let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes while the oven is preheating.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F (77°C) and the skin is crispy and golden brown. Use a quick-read meat thermometer to be sure.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, making for an even juicier bite.
Serve and enjoy! 🙂
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Place the chicken in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: You can also freeze the chicken for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to enjoy them just like the first day.
What should I serve this with?
So many things, here are a few of our favorites:
Why use chicken leg quarters?
Chicken quarters are the thigh, leg, and part of the backbone of a chicken, offering flavorful dark meat that stays moist during cooking. They are also cost-effective, making them a great choice for budget-friendly and delicious meals. Plus, they are incredibly hard to overcook.
Tanya's Top Tips
- If you’re short on time, you can increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes.
- If you've got time or plan ahead, season the chicken and allow it to marinate the fridge overnight.
- Always allow the chicken to rest before serving—it makes all the difference!
- Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature.
Related Questions You Might Have
For extra crispy skin, broil the chicken for the last 3-5 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. You’ll get that delightful crunch that everyone loves.
Absolutely! This recipe works great with chicken breasts, thighs, and even wings. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
The best way to ensure your chicken is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 170°F (77°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the thigh—if the juices run clear, you're good to go.
I hope you love this chicken leg quarters recipe as much as we do. Looking for more delicous baked chicken recipes? Try these out:
If you’ve tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback keeps me going and helps me improve my recipes for you.
Oven Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
Ingredients
- 4 chicken quarters thighs and drumsticks, about 2 pounds
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken quarters dry with paper towels. Place the seasoned chicken quarters in a baking dish or on a sheet pan, ensuring they are not touching too much.
- Rub olive oil all over the chicken quarters, coating both sides.
- Sprinkle all-purpose seasoning evenly over the chicken. Season under the skin for extra flavor.
- Let the chicken sit for 15 minutes while the oven preheats.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 170°F (77°C) and the skin is crispy and golden brown.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, broil the chicken for the last 3-5 minutes of cooking, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Serve with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Ted says
Time and temperature for an air fryer please.
Tanya says
Hey Ted, you'd want to do these at a slightly lower temperature in the air fryer until it reaches temperature. I'd air fry it at 380F for about 22-25 minutes. For skin on chicken in the air fryer, I like to start skin down and finish skin side up.