Air-Fryer Chicken Quarters: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking chicken quarters in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get juicy and tender chicken. The process is simple: preheat the air fryer, prepare a spice blend, pat the chicken dry, coat the chicken in the spice blend, place the chicken in the air fryer skin-side down, and cook for 20-25 minutes at 380°F, flipping halfway through.

How to season chicken quarters for the air fryer

To season chicken quarters for the air fryer, you can use a variety of spices and herbs. One option is to combine olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder in a medium mixing bowl. Stir well, then add the chicken quarters to the bowl and toss until they are evenly coated.

You can also get creative with your rub and make it uniquely yours. For example, you could use a different type of oil or add other spices and herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or cayenne pepper.

It is important to pat the chicken quarters dry with paper towels before adding them to the bowl with the spice and oil blend. This will help the seasoning to stick to the chicken.

Once the chicken is coated in the spice blend, place it in the air fryer basket or tray, skin side down. Set the air fryer to 380°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F-185°F. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.

How long to cook chicken quarters in an air fryer

Cooking chicken quarters in an air fryer is super simple. First, preheat your air fryer to 380°F for five minutes. Then, prepare your chicken quarters by patting them dry with paper towels and trimming any excess skin or fat. Next, add your chicken to a bowl with a teaspoon of oil and your chosen spices, and toss until the chicken is evenly coated. Place the chicken quarters skin-side down in the air fryer basket or tray, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Set the air fryer to 380°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F-185°F, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time. You can use tongs to flip the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest before serving.

How to arrange chicken quarters in the air fryer

When cooking chicken quarters in an air fryer, it's important to arrange them in a single layer, skin side down. If you're cooking more than two chicken quarters, you'll need to cook them in batches, as they won't all fit in the basket at once.

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, it's a good idea to pat the chicken dry with paper towels and trim any excess skin or fat. You can then add a teaspoon of oil to a bowl or bag, along with your chosen seasonings, and coat the chicken thoroughly. Alternatively, you can combine olive oil with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder, and toss the chicken in this mixture until evenly coated.

Once the chicken is prepared, place it in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring it's in a single layer and skin-side down. Set the air fryer to 380°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F-185°F. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time, using tongs, and continue air frying until done to your liking.

How to prepare chicken quarters before cooking

Before you start cooking your chicken quarters in the air fryer, there are a few things you need to do to prepare the meat. First, pat the chicken quarters dry with paper towels. This is an important step to ensure the meat cooks evenly. Next, trim any excess skin or fat from the chicken. Then, add the chicken to a bowl or bag with a teaspoon of oil and your chosen seasoning. Mix well until the chicken is evenly coated. You can get creative with your rub, but a blend of olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper and onion powder is a good place to start.

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for five minutes. While it's warming up, arrange the chicken quarters in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side down. Don't overcrowd the basket – you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

How to serve chicken quarters

To serve chicken quarters, you'll first need to cook them. To do this, preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. Then, pat the chicken quarters dry with paper towels and trim any excess skin or fat. Add the chicken to a bowl with 1 teaspoon of oil and your chosen spices, and toss until the chicken is evenly coated. Place the chicken quarters skin-side down in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Set the air fryer to 380°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F-185°F. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. When the chicken is cooked, let it rest before serving.

You can get creative with your spice blend to make these chicken quarters your own. Try combining olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Alternatively, use your favourite spices or a pre-made blend.

When it comes to serving, you can keep it simple with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad. Or, if you're looking for something more substantial, serve the chicken quarters with mashed potatoes and gravy, or rice and steamed vegetables. For a heartier meal, you could even serve the chicken quarters with a side of macaroni and cheese.

If you're serving a large group, you may need to cook the chicken quarters in batches. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit 2-4 quarters in at a time. So, if you're cooking for a crowd, plan ahead and allow enough time for multiple batches.

Finally, don't be afraid to overcook the chicken quarters slightly. Dark chicken meat can handle a bit of overcooking, and it can even make the chicken more juicy and tender. So, if you're unsure, it's better to err on the side of overcooking rather than undercooking.

Frequently asked questions