At What Temperature Should I Bake Chicken Leg Quarters?

Bake the chicken leg quarters at 425 F for 30 minutes. Turn chicken, reduce heat to 325 F, and bake 35 - 45 minutes until chicken is done OR until the internal temperature reaches 165 F on your meat thermometer.

How to Tell if Chicken is Done Without a Thermometer

I ALWAYS recommend a thermometer, but if you don't have one, you can check for doneness by piercing the chicken with a knife. When the juices run clear, it is most likely done.

Should I cover my chicken with foil while baking?

No, for a crispier chicken quarter, don't cover the pan with foil.

Do chicken quarters go skin side up or down?

For this recipe, start with the skin side down, flip the chicken, and reduce the heat 30 minutes in.

What type of tray or pan should I cook the chicken in?

You can use a casserole dish or baking pan. I preferred method now is using a tray with a fitted rack and foil placed under the rack for easier cleanup.

What do I do with the cooking juice at the bottom of the pan?

If making mashed potatoes or other vegetables (like green beans), stir the cooking liquid into the vegetable for extra flavor! If you are planning to throw it away, I like to line the pan with foil, then once the juice has cooled, it hardens, and you can fold the ends of the foil together and throw it into the trash.

What to Serve with Chicken Leg Quarters

Some of our favorites side dishes for roast chicken are: Potatoes: Zesty Parmesan Ranch Potato Wedges , Homemade Fries, Mashed potatoes (This is a loaded mashed potato dish baked in the oven), or Baked Potatoes . Roasted Baby Carrots Mac and cheese: I have an amazing Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe . Beans: Skillet Barbecue Baked Beans , or Crock Pot Pinto Beans , or this Easy Baked Beans Recipe . Pasta Salads: Summer Picnic Pasta Salad Recipe or Sausage And Tortellini Pasta Salad .

Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

Description

Oven Baked Chicken Leg Quarters are crispy, juicy and oh-so deliciously tender.

Ingredients

Scale

4 chicken leg quarters
olive/canola oil
1 cup of flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1.5 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

Set chicken out about 30 minutes before cooking. (So they will be close to room temp.)
Preheat oven to 425. Coat foil/pan with oil.
Before starting, give the chicken quarters a sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides.
Mix the flour and all the spices in a large bowl.
Brush the chicken leg quarters with olive oil, dip them in the bowl, and generously coat the chicken with the flour/spice mixture
Place leg quarters, skin side down on the foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Turn chicken and reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake 35-45 minutes longer or until chicken is done. (If you have a digital thermometer, go ahead and place it in the chicken at this point and bake the chicken quarters until they reach an internal temp of 165 degrees.)

Nutrition

Serving Size: 7 oz of dark meat
Calories: 406
Fat: 20
Protein: 54