Easy Chicken Quarters Recipe (Ready in Under 1 Hour!)
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside - these oven-baked chicken quarters recipe are seasoned to perfection with garlic and herbs. A simple yet delicious dinner recipe that's ready in under an hour.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 485kcal
Cost: $7
Equipment
- Large baking sheet or roasting pan
- Wire rack that fits inside baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Meat thermometer
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Paper Towels
- Pastry brush or basting brush
- Sharp knife (for optional trimming)
- Kitchen tongs
- Cutting board
Ingredients
4 chicken leg quarters (about 3-4 pounds total)
- Fresh or thawed if frozen
- Look for quarters similar in size
- Pat dry with paper towels before using
2 tablespoons olive oil
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil
- Can substitute with avocado oil
2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Unsalted preferred
- Should be fully melted but not hot
3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh garlic strongly recommended
- About 1 tablespoon minced
- Can substitute with 1 teaspoon garlic powder if needed
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
- Pat the chicken quarters dry with paper towels (this is crucial for achieving crispy skin)
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, and all dry seasonings
- Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top
Seasoning the Chicken
- Place the chicken quarters on the prepared wire rack
- Gently loosen the skin without removing it completely
- Rub half of the seasoning mixture under the skin
- Brush the remaining mixture all over the outside of the chicken quarters
- Let the seasoned chicken rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes
Cooking
- Place the baking sheet with chicken in the preheated oven
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)
- For extra-crispy skin, broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving
Notes
- Choose chicken quarters of similar size to ensure even cooking
- Allow chicken to come to room temperature before cooking (30 minutes)
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning for crispier skin
- Don't skip loosening the skin and seasoning underneath
- Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness
- Let chicken rest after cooking to retain juices
Nutrition
Calories: 485kcal | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 165mg | Sodium: 680mg | Potassium: 485mg | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2.5mg