Ella Walter
Chicken leg quarters are a combination of thighs and drumsticks, making them a tasty, juicy, and affordable option for a filling meal. They can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes, making them a great option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. The air fryer helps to create a crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, with very little prep time required.
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$10.86
What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It helps the outside of the chicken get nicely golden brown and crispy. While preheating, you can brush the chicken leg quarters with oil. You can use avocado oil or olive oil. Make sure to coat the chicken leg quarters on all sides.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Different air fryers will have different preheating times, but you can preheat for about 5 minutes. While the air fryer preheats, you can prepare the chicken leg quarters. Pat them dry with paper towels and season them. In a small bowl, mix together the seasonings of your choice. You can use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the chicken on both sides and rub it in.
Once the air fryer has preheated, you can place the chicken leg quarters into the air fryer basket. If you are cooking four chicken leg quarters, you may need to cook them in batches as they may not all fit in the basket at once. Place the chicken leg quarters skin-side-down in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap.
After preheating your air fryer and placing the chicken leg quarters inside, you can continue with the cooking process. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and cooking time, and follow the remaining steps to cook your chicken leg quarters to perfection.
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Prepare the chicken
Preparing the chicken is a straightforward process. First, remove the chicken leg quarters from the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Next, brush the chicken with olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice. Make sure to coat all sides of the chicken. This step will help the spices and herbs adhere to the chicken and promote a crispy skin.
Now, it's time to season the chicken. You can use a variety of seasonings to suit your taste preferences. A classic blend includes salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add other spices like onion powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. If you want a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Mix your chosen spices and herbs in a small bowl, then rub the mixture onto the chicken, ensuring it is evenly coated.
If your chicken leg quarters have the skin intact, it is recommended to place them skin-side-down in the air fryer basket or tray. This will help achieve a crispy skin. If your chicken is skinless, place it with the more rounded side down.
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Seasoning
Before seasoning, it is recommended to pat the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels. This helps to ensure that the seasonings adhere well to the surface of the chicken. Additionally, brushing the chicken with a thin coat of oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or a cooking spray, can further enhance the adhesion of the seasonings and promote a crispy skin.
A classic seasoning blend includes salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. This trio of seasonings provides a savoury and flavourful base for your chicken leg quarters. You can also experiment with other spices and herbs to create different flavour profiles. For example, Italian seasoning, which typically includes a blend of basil, oregano, and thyme, can add a Mediterranean twist to your dish.
If you're feeling adventurous, try a lemon herb seasoning by combining fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley. This option provides a bright and refreshing flavour to the chicken. Another creative option is to use a BBQ rub, such as a Texas-style or brown sugar rub, which will give your chicken a bold and smoky taste.
For those who enjoy a kick of heat, consider adding a touch of cayenne pepper to your seasoning blend. Additionally, you can experiment with different spice blends, such as lemon pepper seasoning, Cajun spices, or a simple mix of fresh rosemary and thyme, to create unique and personalised flavours.
Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to ensure the chicken is evenly and thoroughly coated. This can be achieved by sprinkling the seasonings over the chicken and then using your hands or a brush to rub them in, ensuring they reach all surfaces.
Feel free to get creative and explore different combinations of spices and herbs to find your perfect flavour profile for air-fried chicken leg quarters.
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Cooking
Preparation
If you're starting with frozen chicken leg quarters, place them in the air fryer and cook for 5-8 minutes until they're mostly thawed. Remove them from the air fryer and season with a rub. Return the chicken to the air fryer and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Spices and Herbs
Chicken leg quarters are easy to season and flavour. You can use a blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Alternatively, you can use lemon pepper seasoning, Cajun spices, or fresh rosemary and thyme. You can also marinate the chicken in your favourite sauce or dressing, such as Italian dressing or teriyaki sauce.
Oil
Coat the chicken leg quarters in a little bit of oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil. This helps the seasonings stick and gets the skin crispy.
Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Place the chicken leg quarters in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, in a single layer. Make sure they don't overlap. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping the chicken after 15 minutes if you want the skin to be extra crispy. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165-175°F.
Resting
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 2 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, and the skin will crisp up more as the chicken cools.
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Resting
It is recommended to let the chicken leg quarters rest for at least 2 minutes after removing them from the air fryer. Ideally, the chicken should rest for around 5 minutes before serving. This allows enough time for the juices to settle and helps to ensure a crispier skin.
During the resting period, it is best to leave the chicken leg quarters untouched. You can use this time to prepare any side dishes or sauces to accompany the chicken.
If you have an instant-read thermometer, you can use it to check the internal temperature of the chicken leg quarters during the resting period. The chicken is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, but some sources recommend cooking dark meat to at least 170°F for optimal juiciness.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook leg quarters in an air fryer, first, coat the chicken leg quarters in oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then, place the chicken in the air fryer basket skin-side-down and cook at 380-400°F for 20-25 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165-170°F.
It takes about 20-25 minutes to cook chicken leg quarters in an air fryer. The time may vary depending on the size of the chicken leg quarters and the brand of the air fryer.
The ideal temperature to cook chicken leg quarters in an air fryer is 380-400°F.
To make chicken leg quarters juicy in an air fryer, it is recommended to cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165-170°F. This ensures the chicken is cooked safely and results in juicy and tender meat.
