Air-Fryer Chicken Quarters: The Perfect Timing

Chicken leg quarters are a combination of the chicken thigh and drumstick, and they are a fantastic option for a filling and affordable meal. The dark meat is tender and flavourful, and when cooked in an air fryer, the meat is juicy and the skin is crispy. But how long do you need to cook them for?

How to get the skin crispy

How to Get Crispy Skin on Chicken Quarters in an Air Fryer

To get the skin of your chicken quarters crispy in an air fryer, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, ensure you pat the chicken dry with paper towels before adding any oil or spices. This is an essential step to achieving crispy skin. You can also try brining the chicken before cooking, as this will help to keep the meat juicy, while still allowing the skin to crisp up.

Secondly, the application of oil is important. Coat the chicken leg quarters with a thin layer of oil. Olive oil is a popular choice, but you could also use avocado oil. This will help the seasonings stick and encourage the skin to crisp up.

Thirdly, seasoning is key. A generous amount of seasoning will add flavour and help the skin crisp up. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or cayenne pepper for a kick. Mix your chosen seasonings in a small bowl and then rub them all over the chicken.

Finally, when placing the chicken in the air fryer, ensure the skin side is down first. Cook for around 20 minutes, then flip the chicken so the skin side is up. Cook for a further 10-15 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy.

How to remove the skin

Chicken leg quarters are usually sold with the skin on, but you can remove it before or after cooking. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove the skin from chicken leg quarters:

Option 1: Remove the skin before cooking

• Grip the skin at the edge of the thigh end and pull it off.
• Use clean kitchen shears to snip off any parts of the skin that are stuck to the meat or bone.

Option 2: Remove the skin after cooking

• Cook the chicken according to your desired recipe.
• Let the chicken rest for 2-3 minutes.
• Use your fingers to pull off the skin. It should come off easily.
• If there are any parts of the skin that are stuck, use clean kitchen shears to remove them.

It is important to note that removing the skin before cooking may result in drier meat, as the skin helps to keep the chicken moist and juicy. However, removing the skin after cooking can be more difficult as the skin will be crispy and delicious, which may be tempting to eat!

How to store and reheat leftovers

Storing and reheating your chicken quarters is a simple process. Firstly, let the chicken cool, then place it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

When you're ready to reheat, bring the chicken to room temperature. This will take around 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken. This step is important as it allows the protein in the chicken to relax, preventing the meat from becoming tough.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F/190°C. This will take around 3-4 minutes and can be done while you wait for the chicken to reach room temperature.

Next, place the chicken in the air fryer basket or on a wire rack, ensuring the pieces don't touch. Reheat for 4-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact time will depend on the size and type of chicken piece:

• Chicken Breasts: 8-10 minutes
• Chicken Thighs and Legs: 6-8 minutes
• Chicken Wings: 5-7 minutes
• Chicken Tenders: 3-5 minutes

Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should have reached 165°F when perfectly reheated.

You can also spray the chicken with a little cooking oil before reheating to achieve a crispier skin.

How to adapt the recipe for different air fryer sizes

The size of your air fryer will determine how many chicken quarters you can cook at once. Most recipes recommend cooking two chicken quarters at a time, as any more will cause overcrowding and prevent the skin from crisping up properly. If you have a larger air fryer, you may be able to cook three or four chicken quarters simultaneously.

If you're cooking for a larger group and your air fryer is on the smaller side, you can always cook the chicken in batches. Just be sure to give the air fryer a quick clean between batches to remove any burnt bits, and allow it to preheat again before adding more chicken.

The size of your air fryer may also affect the cooking time. Most recipes suggest a cooking time of around 20-25 minutes for two chicken quarters, but this may need to be adjusted depending on the size and power of your air fryer. It's always a good idea to use an instant-read thermometer to check that the chicken has reached the desired internal temperature of 165-185°F.

If you're cooking a larger batch of chicken quarters in the oven, you can expect the cooking time to be around 35-45 minutes at 400-425°F.

How to adapt the recipe for different seasonings

Chicken leg quarters are a combination of chicken thighs and drumsticks. They are a fantastic option for a filling and satisfying meal as the dark meat is flavorful and tender. When cooked in an air fryer, the meat is juicy and the skin is crispy.

The key to delicious chicken leg quarters is the spice blend, which infuses the chicken with a beautiful depth of flavor and gives the skin a gorgeous color. While the above recipe calls for Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder, there are endless possibilities when it comes to seasonings.

If you're looking for a change, try experimenting with different spice blends or fresh herbs. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Cajun spices
• Fresh rosemary and thyme
• Lemon and herb: Zest of one lemon, two tablespoons of lemon juice, one teaspoon of dried thyme, two cloves of garlic, one teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper
• Smoky barbecue: Two tablespoons of smoked paprika, one tablespoon of brown sugar, one teaspoon of garlic powder, one teaspoon of onion powder, one teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper
• Spicy Cajun: Two teaspoons of paprika, half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (adjust for heat), one teaspoon of garlic powder, one teaspoon of onion powder, one teaspoon of dried thyme, one teaspoon of dried oregano, one teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper
• Garlic and herb: Two teaspoons of garlic powder, one teaspoon of dried thyme, one teaspoon of dried rosemary, one teaspoon of dried oregano, one teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper

To apply the seasoning, simply combine the desired spices and herbs with olive oil in a medium-sized bowl. Add the chicken quarters to the bowl and toss until they are evenly coated. Then, follow the cooking instructions as outlined above.

Feel free to get creative and make these air fryer chicken quarters uniquely yours!

Frequently asked questions