Oven-Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

I mostly share patience and budget-friendly recipes simultaneously, and this mouthwatering oven-baked chicken leg quarters recipe is one of them.

These chicken leg quarters are quite simple and cheap, but when you season them with a wet rub loaded with multiple flavors and bake them in the oven, you will get an amazing dish, just like the fancy dishes you order in restaurants.

The oven’s heat must be turned up at the very end to make the skin golden and crisp. It’s an easy and simple recipe that can be prepared in no time. You can get the chicken ready in no more than 5 minutes. Once seasoned, you can put the chicken in the oven for almost one hour.

You can make side dishes for your meal plan during this one hour. Baking the chicken is no fuss at all unless you don’t know how to do it right. Here I’ve got you the simplest yet delicious recipe with clear instructions that even a newbie can follow; it is easier to bake the perfect Chicken leg quarters recipe.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken leg quarters (bone-in, skin-on)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for vegetables)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp red chili powder

• 1 tsp salt (preferably kosher)

• 1 tbsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 8 small red potatoes, quartered

• 2 large carrots, diced

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (whole or halved)

Instructions

1. Make the Rub

   • In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, black pepper, red chili powder, salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.

   • Stir in 1 tbsp olive oil until you have a paste-like rub. Set aside 1–2 tsp of the rub mixture for the vegetables.

2. Prepare the Chicken

   • Pat chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels.

   • Loosen the skin slightly and rub some of the seasoning directly onto the meat for deeper flavor.

   • Rub the rest evenly over the skin.

3. Roast the Chicken

   • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

   • Place chicken on a baking sheet or roasting pan.

   • Roast for 20–25 minutes before adding vegetables.

4. Prepare Vegetables

   • In a mixing bowl, toss potatoes, carrots, and cherry tomatoes with the reserved rub and a drizzle of olive oil.

   • After the chicken has roasted for 20–25 minutes, scatter the vegetables around the chicken in the same pan (or roast them separately if you prefer a firmer texture).

5. Finish Roasting

   • Continue roasting for another 20–30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.

   • The potatoes should be fork-tender, the carrots soft, and the cherry tomatoes slightly blistered.

6. Serve

   • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

   • Serve with the roasted vegetables, making sure to spoon over any pan juices for extra flavor.

Tip:
If you want even crispier skin, broil the chicken for the last 2–3 minutes of cooking — just keep a close eye on it.

Craving more of those Chicken Leg Quarters? 🍗 Help others discover this delight by pinning the image below. Who knows, it might just become their next favorite dish on Pinterest.

Best Method to Bake the Chicken Legs

The best technique to make a tender and juicy chicken is to start at a low temperature and finish at a high temperature to get the crispier chicken skin. Baking it in the oven is a bit time-consuming taking but it takes only 5 minutes to do the preparations by hand.

The Juice in the Baking Pan

The juice that accumulates at the bottom of the baking pan is super delicious and can be used best if dripped on the vegetables you plan to serve with the chicken. Or you can use it as a gravy for your potatoes and serve them with the leg quarters.   

Baking Time for Chicken Leg Quarters

You can try the same recipe for different meat cuts as well. Baking time varies with different meat cuts. You can ideally make your bone-in, skin-on cut with this recipe because it gives you a moist, flavorful chicken by following a few simple steps. You should check your chicken pieces with a thermometer if you use meat cuts other than the chicken leg quarters.

Should the chicken skin be removed?

No! Absolutely not. Chicken skin gives a unique and delicious taste, just like bones. Its golden brown color gives it a look of fancy restaurant foods. Chicken leg quarters are higher in calories, so you won’t cook every day. But it’s an excellent option to go for once in a while.

Are these Chicken Leg Quarters healthy?

Chicken, irrespective of the cut you choose, is always an excellent protein source. Chicken breast is the best part of the meat as it’s a low-fat and low-calorie source of protein, which is the best option for calorie-conscious people.

For how long can you store these Chicken Legs?

You can store these chicken leg quarters for 3 – 4 days in an airtight container or ziplock plastic bags. Whatever you choose, the container or the plastic bag, make sure to line it with a paper towel at the bottom to soak the excess liquid and prevent the chicken from getting soggy. It is recommended to reheat the chicken in the oven to make the skin crispier again.  

Wet Rub for Chicken Legs

Here is how to make an amazing seasoning for your chicken legs. This amazing seasoning not only enhances the taste of the chicken but also gives it an unmatched aroma you will quickly become a fan of. The secret to making the leg quarters so amazingly delicious is this wet rub that you can easily prepare yourself.

To make the wet rub, mix some chili powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and olive oil. All these ingredients are full of superb flavors that give a mouthwatering taste to your chicken legs.

In the recipe section, I will give you measurements of its ingredients. The best thing about this rub is that you can adjust the number of its ingredients as per your taste. For example, If you like the smokey flavor of the paprika, you can add more than what is mentioned in the recipe section. You can also use this rub for your whole chicken, baking, and grilling or use it in your vegetable recipes.

To prepare the wet rub, just combine all the dry ingredients in the bowl and add some olive oil in it and mix well. Your wet rub is ready. You can save some for your vegetable dishes as well.

Some Important Tips:

• One of the most essential steps to make the skin crispier is pat drying the chicken legs before applying the wet rub. Pat dry the chicken using a paper towel. The paper towel will absorb all the excess moisture from the chicken, and the wet rub will stick to the chicken better.
• It is recommended to use the chicken at room temperature. Take the chicken out of the fridge a few minutes before seasoning it with dry rub. This will help you make an evenly cooked chicken.
• During grilling, meats are seasoned with different rubs that tend to burn when sugar is used in its seasoning. But nothing to worry about here. This wet rub doesn’t contain any sugar.

Chicken Leg Quarters Video Recipe

If you like these Chicken leg quarters recipes, please check out the recipes below:

Cheesecake Factory Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets (Copycat)

KFC Chicken Littles Recipe (Copycat)

Homemade McDonald’s Chicken McGriddles (Copycat)

Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Recipe

How to Make Chick-Fil-A Chicken Minis