Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

Transform an ordinary chicken dinner into something special with this simple yet delicious spice-rubbed baked chicken leg recipe.

With just 10 minutes of hands-on prep time and a few pantry ingredients, you can get these baked chicken leg quarters on your dinner table in no time.

This recipe uses an easy spice rub to season the chicken, which creates perfectly crisped skin and juicy tender meat.

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Plus, dark meat chicken is an economical and delicious option for your weekly meal plan.

And... pssst!... The secret to getting crispy chicken skin, amazing flavor, and tender juicy meat is to bake the chicken at a higher temperature. 

Jump to:

• What Are Chicken Leg Quarters?
• Why This Recipe Works
• Ingredients
• Step-by-Step Instructions for Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
• What to Serve with Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
• My Top Tips
• Substitutions & Variations
• Make-Ahead & Storage
• More Delicious Chicken Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

What Are Chicken Leg Quarters?

Chicken leg quarters are a butcher's cut of a chicken that cuts a whole chicken in fourths, resulting in two portions of the chicken that includes the leg, thigh, and a part of the back.

This cut is quick to make so the cost is often lower than for individual legs or thighs. Plus it creates a hearty portion of flavorful dark-meat chicken.

Why This Recipe Works

Okay... so you've gone to the store and scored big time on a package of chicken only to realize you don't have any ideas of how to make that boring chicken different and more exciting. I think we have all been there!

The good news is, chicken is a versatile meat that can be stewed, fried, braised, roasted, barbequed, and more.

But sometimes you just want simple... and oven-roasting chicken is a great choice. So, I've got you covered with this easy recipe for baked chicken legs.

This recipe starts with a spice rub you can make yourself with just a few common pantry items. The proportions of the spices are easy and the combination of seasonings appeals to everyone.

Lastly, for the best results, I bake the chicken quarters in a hot oven. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and gives you that lovely crispy skin everyone craves.

Let's recap... 10 minutes of time + simple and inexpensive ingredients = a chicken leg recipe that the whole family will love!

So, let's cook!

Ingredients

Here's what you need to make Baked Chicken Leg Quarters:

• Chicken Leg Quarters - This is a hearty cut of chicken that is typically sold four to a package. They are often very economical and an entire chicken leg quarter can be divided into the drumstick and the thigh if you need smaller portions. You can also substitute whole chicken legs (thigh-drumstick pieces without the back portion), chicken thighs, or chicken legs in this recipe. 

For the Spice Rub:

• Paprika - Paprika is made from all types of dried ground peppers that vary in heat and it comes in several varieties that include hot, smoked, and sweet. Use a paprika that is sweet rather than hot or smoked for beautiful color and a mild flavor.
• Onion Powder -  Made from dried ground onions, onion powder is savory, mild, and a must-have in spice rubs and seasoning mixes. 
• Garlic Powder - Garlic powder is made from dried ground garlic and has a strong flavor.
• Dark Brown Sugar - Just a small amount of brown sugar is needed to balance the flavors of the spice rub.
• Dried Oregano - Oregano goes very well with chicken and has a wonderfully warm aroma and flavor.
• Fine Sea Salt - Salt makes everything taste better. I use fine sea salt, but you can use any finely texture salt.

Please see the recipe card for the exact quantities.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

Preheat and Prepare. Preheat oven to 400°F/204°C and line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Use non-stick aluminum foil or lightly spray plain aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray.

Make the Seasoning Mix. In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dark brown sugar, dried oregano, and fine sea salt. Set aside.

Prepare the Chicken. Remove the chicken leg quarters from their packaging and dry the chicken well with a paper towel. Trim any excess fat and skin from the chicken with kitchen shears and remove any feathers that might still be on the chicken. Do not wash the chicken! Sprinkle and rub the seasoning mix over the entire surface of the chicken.

Put Chicken in Prepared Pan. Place the seasoned chicken leg quarters in a single layer, skin side up, in the prepared pan, and sprinkle them with any remaining seasoning mix.

Bake. To cook the chicken, place it in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Check if it's done by using an instant-read thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the chicken, which should read 165°F/74°C. To ensure it's fully cooked, pierce the chicken with a fork and check that the juices run clear.

My Top Tips

♡ Make the spice rub in advance and store it in a small airtight container. I like to make a double batch to save time.

Substitutions & Variations

• Substitute Italian Seasoning. Instead of dried oregano, you can use your favorite dried Italian seasoning blend.
• Omit the Brown Sugar. If you are watching your sugar consumption, you can omit the brown sugar.
• Add Black Pepper. I'm personally not a fan of putting black pepper in dishes. But if you enjoy the flavor of black pepper you can add ½ teaspoon to the spice mixture.
• Add Red Pepper Flakes. If you like a little heat add red pepper flakes to the spices. Be sparing and start with ¼ teaspoon and add more if you like.
• Add Lemon Pepper Seasoning. If you love the flavor of lemon and pepper add a teaspoon of lemon pepper to the spice rub.

Make-Ahead & Storage

Store any baked leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To freeze, individually wrap the chicken leg quarters in aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container or seal them in a FoodSaver freezer bag.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes

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