Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 medium chicken leg quarters (drumstick and thigh); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme (or other fresh or dried herbs); 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon coriander

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These air fryer chicken leg quarters turn out super juicy with extra crispy skin, seasoned to perfection. Plus, they cook in just 30 minutes in the air fryer, so you won't need to heat up the whole oven to make a delicious dinner.

Two chicken quarters with crispy skin in air fryer basket.

If you are making more than three chicken quarters, I recommend using our baked chicken quarters recipe, that allows you to cook up to five large chicken pieces on a baking pan without overcrowding it.

I love cooking in my air fryer, especially the chicken. It consistently comes out juicy, and crispy and there is not much cleanup afterward.

I often use my air fryer to make frozen chicken breast, chicken drumsticks, buffalo chicken wings, thin sliced chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken tenders, and even chicken meatballs.

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Recipe highlights
Ingredients
How to air fry whole chicken leg quarters
Nataliia's recipe tips
Here are a few favorite seasoning ideas to try
How to store and reheat the leftovers
Serving ideas
Frequently asked questions
More easy air fryer recipes
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💬 Comments

Recipe highlights

Quick and easy: the chicken is ready in 30 minutes, which is the perfect idea for busy weeknights.
Versatile flavors: you use different seasonings and marinades.
Makes great leftovers: you can even use the leftovers to make soup, quesadillas, and casseroles.
Cost-effective: chicken quarters are very budget-friendly and provide a generous amount of dark meat, with the option to choose thighs or legs.

Ingredients

You can use any other seasonings and herbs you like. Please, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the ingredients' quantities.

Chicken quarters: these are the whole legs of the chicken, which includes both the thigh, the drumstick, and a portion of the back. You can also use drumsticks and thighs instead.
Olive oil: You will need just a little bit of olive oil or avocado oil. It will help to keep the meat juicy and make the skin golden and crispy.
Seasoning mix: I used salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, black pepper, and a little bit of cayenne pepper (optional).
Fresh thyme (optional): I love to add some fresh herbs for more flavor. You can also use fresh rosemary or dried herbs.

How to air fry whole chicken leg quarters

Pat dry the chicken. Remove chicken leg quarters from the packaging and pat them dry with some paper towels. Let them rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

Make the seasoning mix. In a small bowl, combine salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Season the chicken generously. Place chicken quarters on a plate or in a bowl. Rub the chicken with olive oil and then with the seasoning mix on both sides, ensuring it sticks to the meat. For larger pieces like whole chicken legs, I like to let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Uncooked seasoned whole chicken legs arranged in air fryer basket facing the skin side down.

Air fry for 30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees f for about 5 minutes. Place seasoned chicken quarters in the air fryer basket, with the skin side down. Arrange some fresh thyme twigs. Air fry them for about 25-30 minutes at 380°F, flipping them once halfway through the cooking time. I also remove any fresh herbs halfway through, otherwise they might burn. The chicken quarters are ready when the internal temperature reaches at 175-185°F.

Cooked chicken quarters with the meat thermometer inserted in one of them in air fryer basket.

Note: I used a Ninja Air fryer, and it perfectly fits 3 smaller chicken leg quarters or 2 medium and large ones.

Let them rest for 5-10 minutes. When larger cuts of meat such as whole chicken legs are cooked, all the juices tend to move toward the center, and toward the joints. Letting it rest, you let the juices with all the flavors redistribute throughout the meat, making it juicier and evenly flavorful.

Nataliia's recipe tips

Preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking, and so the skin does not get stuck to the basket.
Use a generous amount of seasonings to avoid bland meat.
If you plan to make it ahead of time, place seasoned chicken in a container or a Ziploc bag and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
If using fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary), remove it from the air fryer halfway through the cooking time.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the thickest parts of the thigh and leg to ensure that all parts of the chicken have reached the proper temperature.

Here are a few favorite seasoning ideas to try

Garlic and Herb: 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
Lemon and Herb: Zest of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
Smoky Barbecue: 2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
Spicy Cajun: 2 teaspoons paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste for more or less heat), 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper

How to store and reheat the leftovers

Leftover chicken quarters will last in the fridge for 3-4 days and can be reheated or used to make soups, casseroles, quesadillas, and more.

Let them cool down completely at room temperature and then transfer the chicken to the airtight container and into the fridge.

Chicken quarters reheat well in the air fryer, microwave, or oven. It is better to reheat it at 350-370°F, so the meat warms up evenly.

You can also freeze the leftovers. For freezing, I prefer to de-bone and shred cooked chicken.

Cooked chicken meat will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Serving ideas

Below are our favorite dishes to pair it with:

Vegetables: roasted golden beets, refrigerator beet pickles, roasted green beans and carrots.
Salads: arugula and beets salad, creamy carrot and raisin salad, purple cabbage coleslaw.
Grains: instant pot barley, rice, buckwheat groats, fennel risotto, beetroot risotto.
Potato dishes: air fryer baked potatoes, air fryer crispy potato skins, baked sweet potato rounds, roasted potatoes and string beans, air fryer baby potatoes.
Condiments: serve them with BBQ sauce, homemade pesto, blue cheese dip, or lemon yogurt dip.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use chicken thighs and drumsticks instead?

Yes, when you cannot find the whole chicken legs, you can use chicken tights and drumsticks. Keep in mind, that they might cook a little faster than the whole leg quarters.

Can I air fry frozen chicken leg quarters?

Yes, similar to how I often air fry frozen chicken breasts, you can air fry frozen chicken leg quarters. Follow the same recipe direction but increase the cooking time by 20-25 minutes. Ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 175°F.

How long does it take to air fry chicken quarters?

It takes about 30-35 minutes to air fry chicken quarters at 390°F. If you air fry them at 375°, it will take 5 minutes longer. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 175°F.

How to achieve crispy skin on chicken quarters?

To achieve crispy skin follow these steps: pat dry the chicken quarters well, apply a thin layer of olive oil (or other oil), season generously, and air fryer at a higher temperature ( 375-390°F). After they are cooked, let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting it.

More easy air fryer recipes

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