Cody Casey
Chicken leg quarters are a combination of the chicken thigh and drumstick, making them a juicy, tasty, and affordable option for a filling meal. Air-fried chicken leg quarters are a quick and easy way to cook this cut of meat, with the air fryer's rapid circulation of hot air creating a nice and crispy skin, while the meat remains tender and juicy. This introduction will cover the process of cooking chicken leg quarters in an air fryer, including preparation, cooking, and serving.
How to cook quarter chicken in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Chicken should be patted dry with a paper towel before adding oil and spices. |
| Oil | Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado, grapeseed, peanut, or extra light olive oil. |
| Spices | Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, rosemary, thyme, lemon pepper seasoning, or Cajun spices can be used. |
| Cooking time | 20-25 minutes at 380°F or until an internal temperature of 165°F-185°F is reached. |
| Cooking technique | Place chicken skin-side down for the first half of the cooking time, then flip. |
| Resting | Let the chicken rest for 2-5 minutes before serving. |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. |
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What You'll Learn
How to season quarter chicken for the air fryer
To season quarter chicken for the air fryer, you can follow these steps:
- Clean and pat the chicken dry with a paper towel: This step is important as it helps the skin get crispy during cooking. Make sure to pat the chicken thoroughly until it is completely dry.
- Trim any excess skin or fat: This step is optional but can help ensure even cooking and a crispier final product.
- Coat the chicken with oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado, grapeseed, peanut, or extra light olive oil. You can brush or spray the oil onto the chicken to ensure an even coat.
- Prepare your spice blend: In a small bowl, combine your chosen spices and herbs. You can use a simple blend of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, or get creative with Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme.
- Season the chicken: Add the chicken quarters to the bowl with the spice and oil blend, tossing or rubbing until the chicken is evenly coated. Make sure to coat all sides of the chicken.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheating the air fryer will help ensure even cooking and better results.
Feel free to experiment with different spice blends and herbs to find your perfect flavor combination!
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How to get crispy skin on quarter chicken in the air fryer
To get crispy skin on quarter chicken in the air fryer, start by patting the chicken dry with a paper towel. This step is essential for achieving crispy skin. Next, trim any excess skin or fat from the chicken. Then, coat the chicken leg quarters in a little bit of oil, such as olive oil, and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion, and paprika. You can also add cayenne for a touch of heat. Make sure to include salt in your seasoning mix.
Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, in a single layer. The chicken quarters should not overlap. Set the air fryer to 380°F for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. When the internal temperature reaches 165°F, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 2-5 minutes before serving.
If you want to make crispy chicken skin chips, you can remove the skin from the chicken and place it in the air fryer. Season the skin with salt, and additional spices such as garlic salt, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika. Place the skin in a single layer, skin-side down, and air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. If the fattier parts of the skin need more cooking, add an additional 1-2 minutes. The chicken skin will not be completely hard until it has cooled down but should be golden.
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How to cook frozen quarter chicken in the air fryer
Preparation
Before freezing your chicken, clean and pat it dry with a paper towel. Cut off any excess skin and fat. You can then store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Cooking
You can cook the chicken straight from frozen. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F / 200°C for 5 minutes. Brush the chicken with a marinade on both sides, reserving some to brush on when you flip the chicken. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, skin side up, and cook for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 15 minutes. Flip the chicken again and cook for a final 5 minutes. Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. It should be at least 165°F / 74°C. If it is not ready, flip and cook for another 5 minutes, then check again.
Resting
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- If your chicken is stuck together, you can run it under the tap to defrost it enough to separate the pieces.
- You can also precook the chicken in the air fryer at 400°F / 200°C for 5 minutes before seasoning.
- You can use a variety of oils to brush the chicken, including extra light olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or peanut oil.
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How long to cook quarter chicken in the air fryer
Cooking quarter chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. The first step is to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and trim any excess skin or fat. Then, coat the chicken in olive oil and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion, rosemary, thyme, paprika, or cayenne pepper. You can also use a pre-made Italian seasoning blend. Make sure the chicken is thoroughly coated in the seasoning.
Next, preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, ensuring the pieces are not overlapping. 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 done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 2-5 minutes before serving.
The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken quarters and the brand of your air fryer, so it is important to check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked. The safe minimum internal temperature is 165°F, but for the best texture, cook until it reaches 185°F.
You can store leftover air-fried chicken quarters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place the chicken back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until heated to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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How to store leftover air-fried quarter chicken
To store leftover air-fried quarter chicken, it is important to let the chicken cool down to room temperature before storing it. This will take around 30 minutes. Do not put the chicken into a storage container while it is still hot, as this will create condensation, which will make the chicken soggy.
Once the chicken has cooled, you can place it in a airtight container. It is recommended to line the container with paper towels to soak up any juices and help the chicken stay crisp. You can also wrap the chicken in a few layers of aluminum foil and place it in a resealable plastic bag, creating a makeshift vacuum seal by removing excess air.
Leftover air-fried quarter chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to 12 months.
When reheating the chicken, avoid using a microwave, as this can make the chicken soggy. Instead, use an oven, air fryer, or deep fryer to retain the chicken's texture and flavor. To reheat in an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F and cook the chicken for about 10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 20-25 minutes to cook a quarter chicken in an air fryer.
The air fryer should be set to 380°F-400°F.
Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before adding oil and seasoning.
Place the frozen chicken in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes until it is mostly thawed, then add seasoning and continue to cook as directed.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
