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

Chicken leg quarters are a great, affordable meal for the family. You get a thigh and drumstick in one serving – that's nice, juicy, and flavorful meat! If you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook chicken leg quarters, then look no further than your air fryer. This handy kitchen appliance can have your chicken cooked to perfection in less than 30 minutes.

The key to getting juicy and tender meat is to cook the chicken at a high temperature for a short amount of time. Most recipes recommend cooking at around 400°F for 10 minutes, then flipping the chicken and cooking for a further 7-10 minutes. However, it's important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to make sure it's safe to eat.

Before cooking, you'll want to coat the chicken in a little oil and season it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also experiment with different seasonings, such as smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, or brown sugar, to add extra flavor.

So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook chicken leg quarters, give your air fryer a go!

Choosing and preparing your chicken

Choosing Your Chicken

Chicken leg quarters are a great, affordable option for a hearty meal. Each quarter contains a thigh and drumstick, so you get two cuts of chicken in one serving. They are usually sold with the skin on, which is great for achieving that crispy texture and flavour.

Preparing Your Chicken

Before cooking, remove any excess moisture from the chicken by patting the legs dry with paper towels. This helps the oil and seasoning stick to the skin better.

Next, coat the chicken leg quarters in a little olive oil. You can use an oil sprayer for this, or simply drizzle the oil over the chicken.

Now it's time to season the chicken. A simple blend of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder will do the trick, but feel free to add other seasonings of your choice—just be sure to include salt. You can also try a blend of paprika, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, salt, and pepper for a sweet and savoury flavour. For a spicier option, add some cayenne pepper to the mix.

Final Steps

Once your chicken is coated in oil and seasoning, it's almost ready for the air fryer. Place the chicken quarters in the air fryer basket skin-side-down, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping.

Now you're ready to start cooking! Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F and cook the chicken for 20 minutes before flipping. Then, cook for an additional 7-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Preparing your air fryer

Clean your air fryer

First, ensure your air fryer is clean and ready for use. Wipe down the inside with a damp cloth to remove any residue or leftover food particles from previous cooking sessions. If there is any built-up grease or grime, use a mild detergent or an air fryer-specific cleaning solution to gently clean the surfaces. Make sure to dry the air fryer thoroughly before proceeding.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is crucial for optimal cooking results. Most air fryers have a preheat function, so simply select this setting and let the air fryer reach the desired temperature. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, don't worry. You can manually preheat it by setting the temperature to the desired level, usually between 380-400°F (190-200°C) for chicken leg quarters, and letting it heat up for a few minutes before adding the food.

Prepare the air fryer basket

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or an air fryer-safe liner. This will make cleanup easier and help prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket. If you don't have parchment paper or a liner, you can also spray the basket with a bit of cooking spray or brush it with oil to create a non-stick surface.

Gather your tools and ingredients

Before you begin cooking, make sure you have all the necessary tools and ingredients within easy reach. You'll need a bowl for mixing the chicken and seasonings, a spoon or tongs for coating the chicken, and a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Additionally, gather all the ingredients for your chosen seasoning blend, such as olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.

Prepare the chicken

Take your chicken leg quarters and pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help the chicken develop a crispy skin during cooking. Place the chicken in a bowl and drizzle with a small amount of olive oil. Then, sprinkle your chosen blend of seasonings over the chicken and toss or rub it in until the pieces are evenly coated.

Preheat for a second time (optional)

Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer a second time after the chicken has been prepared and seasoned. This step is optional but can help ensure your air fryer is at the optimal temperature for cooking. Simply preheat the air fryer again to the desired temperature, usually around 400°F (200°C).

Now that your air fryer is prepared, you are ready to cook your chicken leg quarters! Place the seasoned chicken pieces into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them for even cooking. Set the timer and temperature according to your recipe, and you'll be on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy, and juicy chicken leg quarters!

Seasoning your chicken

Choosing the Right Seasonings

Select seasonings that complement each other and enhance the natural flavour of the chicken. A simple blend of everyday ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and brown sugar can create a savoury and slightly sweet taste profile. You can also add a hint of heat with cayenne pepper or experiment with other seasonings like chilli powder, basil, oregano, rosemary, or thyme.

Preparing the Chicken

Start by patting the chicken legs dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture from the skin will help the oil and seasonings adhere better, resulting in a crispier skin. Place the chicken legs in a medium-sized bowl or a large zip-top bag.

Mixing the Seasonings

In a separate small bowl, combine your chosen seasonings and mix them well. You can adjust the quantities of each seasoning to suit your taste preferences. For a larger batch of chicken, you may need to increase the amount of seasoning mixture accordingly.

Coating the Chicken

Drizzle the chicken legs with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice. Add the seasoning mixture to the bowl or bag and toss or shake until the chicken legs are fully coated. For an even coating, ensure that the seasonings are well distributed and reach all surfaces of the chicken.

Marinating (Optional)

While this step is optional, marinating the chicken can take your dish to the next level by enhancing the flavours and making the chicken even juicier. Place the seasoned chicken in the refrigerator and let it marinate for at least an hour. For more intense flavours, you can leave it to marinate overnight.

Final Steps

Once your chicken is seasoned and marinated (if desired), it's time to cook! Follow the instructions for your specific air fryer model to cook the chicken legs to perfection. Remember to preheat your air fryer, cook the chicken in batches if necessary, and use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.

Cooking your chicken

Preparation

Before you start cooking, there are a few steps you can take to prepare your chicken. Firstly, pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel. This will help to remove any excess moisture from the skin, ensuring that the oil sticks better and that the skin becomes nice and crispy. You can also add a little oil to the chicken, which will help the seasoning stick.

Seasoning

There are lots of different seasoning options for your chicken. The simplest option is to season the chicken with salt, black pepper and garlic powder. However, you can also add other spices such as smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, brown sugar, dry mustard powder, and cayenne pepper. If you want to add a little kick to your chicken, you can include more cayenne pepper in the seasoning. Alternatively, you could try a seasoning blend such as Cajun, Italian, or curry.

Cooking

Now it's time to cook your chicken! Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, and cook for 10 minutes. Then, flip the legs and cook for another 7-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. If you don't have an instant-read thermometer, it's worth investing in one, as this will help you to ensure your chicken is cooked perfectly.

Serving

Once your chicken is cooked, let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving. You can serve it with sides such as beans, corn casserole, Brussel sprouts, or potatoes.

Storing and reheating

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can use the oven, microwave, or air fryer.

Serving suggestions

Side Dishes

Air fryer chicken leg quarters are a versatile main course that can be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas:

• Potato wedges or funeral potatoes
• Coleslaw
• Potato salad
• Roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or potatoes
• Beans, corn casserole, Brussel sprouts, or potatoes
• Acorn squash and mac and cheese
• Air fryer french fries, asparagus, sweet potatoes, or tater toots
• Texas toast
• Salad

Sauces and Dips

To add extra flavour to your chicken leg quarters, serve them with a variety of sauces and dips:

• BBQ sauce
• Honey mustard
• Ranch dressing
• Hot sauce
• Cheese sauce
• Asian sauce

Leftovers

If you have any leftover chicken leg quarters, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave. You can also reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-8 minutes.

Frequently asked questions