Cody Casey
Chicken quarters are a combination of the chicken thigh, leg, and drumstick, and they are a fantastic option for a filling and satisfying meal. The dark meat is flavorful, tender, and juicy, and when it’s cooked in the air fryer, the skin is crispy. The air fryer's rapid circulation of hot air around the chicken is perfect for achieving this ideal combination of crispy skin and juicy meat. With only a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and wholesome meal on the table in under 30 minutes.
Cooking a quarter chicken in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 20-25 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 165°F - 185°F |
| Flip | Halfway through cooking time |
| Rest | 2-5 minutes |
| Reheat | 350°F for 5-10 minutes |
| Storage | Air-tight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time and temperature
Frozen Chicken
If you are cooking chicken straight from frozen, you should first cook it for 5 to 8 minutes at 400 °F (204 °C) until it is mostly thawed. Then, you can add your seasoning and continue to cook for around 30 to 35 minutes.
Fresh Chicken
If your chicken is fresh, you should preheat your air fryer to 380 °F (193 °C) for 5 minutes. Then, place the chicken in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 °F (74 °C). If you want your chicken skin to be extra crispy, you can then flip the chicken so the skin side is up for the final 10 to 12 minutes of cooking.
It is important to ensure that your chicken is cooked thoroughly. The National Chicken Council recommends checking the internal temperature of your chicken with an instant-read thermometer. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 °F (74 °C), but dark meat is best cooked to 170 °F (77 °C).
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Reheating chicken quarters
First, if your chicken is in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to remove some of the chills. This helps the chicken reheat more evenly. Then, brush the chicken with a little bit of oil or use a cooking spray to help bring out the crispiness. You can also season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, or other seasonings of your choice.
Next, place the chicken quarters in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Set the air fryer temperature to 350-380°F (176-193°C) and reheat for 5-10 minutes. If your chicken is frozen, you can cook it for 5-8 minutes until it is mostly thawed before adding the seasoning and continuing to reheat.
After the initial heating phase, use tongs to turn the chicken pieces carefully. Then, return the basket to the air fryer and continue reheating for another 5-10 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly warmed through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safe to eat, according to USDA guidelines. You can use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Finally, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Enjoy your juicy and tender reheated chicken quarters!
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Storing cooked chicken quarters
Cooking chicken quarters in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. But what about storing cooked chicken quarters? How long will they stay fresh, and what's the best way to reheat them?
Firstly, it's important to let the cooked chicken quarters cool down before storing them. Then, place them in airtight containers and store them in the fridge. Cooked chicken should be stored below 40°F or above 140°F. At this temperature, your chicken quarters will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
If you're transporting your cooked chicken, keep it in an insulated container to maintain warmth, or use an ice chest to keep it cool until you're ready to eat. This is important to ensure your chicken doesn't enter the temperature "danger zone" of 40°F to 140°F, where bacteria can multiply rapidly.
When reheating chicken quarters in the air fryer, set the temperature to 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. You can also reheat them in the oven by preheating to 325°F, placing the chicken quarters on a baking sheet, and heating for 15-20 minutes. If you want crispier skin, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of heating.
Now you know how to store and reheat your cooked chicken quarters, ensuring they stay fresh, tasty, and safe to eat!
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Chicken quarters seasoning
Chicken quarters are a combination of the drumstick and thigh, and sometimes include a piece of the back. They are considered dark meat and are highly regarded as the most flavourful part of the chicken.
Chicken quarters can be seasoned in a variety of ways. Firstly, it is important to pat the chicken dry with paper towels and trim any excess skin or fat. Then, brush or coat the chicken with oil on both sides. This helps the seasonings stay on and ensures the skin gets crispy. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other heat-safe oil.
Next, you can season the chicken with a variety of spices. A popular blend includes paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper. You can also add cayenne pepper for a kick of heat. Alternatively, you can use an Italian blend seasoning, which includes oregano, thyme, rosemary, and basil.
If you want to get creative, you can mix and match different spices that you typically use for chicken. Just be sure to include salt, as this will help bring out the flavours. You can also add butter to enhance the flavour and juiciness of the chicken.
Once the chicken is seasoned, it is ready to be placed in the air fryer, skin-side down, and cooked to perfection!
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Chicken quarters preparation
Chicken quarters are a combination of the chicken thigh and leg, making them a fantastic option for a filling and satisfying meal. The dark meat is flavorful, tender, and juicy. When it's cooked in the air fryer, the meat is juicy and the skin is crispy.
Defrosting
If you are starting with frozen chicken quarters, you can put them in the air fryer and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until they are mostly thawed. Then, you can add the seasoning rub and continue to cook as directed.
Seasoning
Pat the chicken quarters dry with paper towels. This is an important step, as it helps to get the skin crispy. You can also trim any excess skin or fat at this stage. Next, add a teaspoon of oil and shake or mix well until the chicken is well coated. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other cooking oil you have on hand.
For seasoning, you can use salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. You can also experiment with different spice blends or herbs, such as Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, cayenne, lemon pepper seasoning, Cajun spices, or fresh rosemary and thyme. Create a mouthwatering rub by combining the oil and spices in a medium mixing bowl and stirring well. Place the chicken quarters in the bowl and toss until they are evenly coated.
Cooking
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. Place the chicken quarters in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, in a single layer. Make sure they do not overlap, as you want to ensure even cooking. Set the air fryer to 380°F and cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. The internal temperature of the chicken quarters should reach 165°F-185°F.
Resting and Serving
When the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 2-5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, and the skin will continue to crisp up as the chicken cools.
Reheating
Cooked chicken quarters can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-10 minutes or until heated to an internal temperature of 165°F. You can also reheat them in the oven at 425°F for 35-45 minutes or on a preheated grill over medium heat for the same amount of time.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 20-25 minutes to cook a quarter chicken in an air fryer.
The air fryer should be set to 380°F for 5 minutes before placing the chicken inside. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F-185°F.
Place the quarter chicken in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before adding oil and spices. This is essential for achieving crispy skin.
