Juicy Baked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe
Updated Jun 06, 2025, Published Apr 16, 2024
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This easy Baked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe is one of the tastiest chicken recipes ever! Sprinkled with a simple seasoning mix and baked until golden brown perfection. It’s perfect for any easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
For more ways to cook different cuts of chicken, try your hand at perfect chicken drumsticks at 400°F and juicy baked chicken thighs next!
Why This Recipe Stands Out
Bold, herby, and full of flavor—this chicken gets its depth from a simple blend of rosemary, oregano, thyme, paprika, and garlic powder. Baked at 400°F, the leg quarters turn out crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Best part? It’s incredibly easy—just season, bake, and enjoy.
I know you’ll also love my baked chicken breast recipe, whole chicken roast recipe, and roasted chicken with citrus, too!
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
The simple pantry staples give this easy roasted chicken quarters recipe so much flavor!
- Chicken Leg Quarters: A budget-friendly cut of chicken that’s from the leg and thigh of the chicken. It’s known for its juicy and flavorful characteristics.
- Seasonings: This blend of herbs and spices—fragrant rosemary, robust oregano, earthy thyme, smoky-sweet paprika, and savory garlic powder—adds bold Mediterranean flavor and aromatic depth to the dish.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A high-quality oil with a fruity and peppery flavor, adding richness and helping to crisp up the chicken skin. Avocado oil, vegetable oil, or melted butter also work well.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Different Cut of Chicken: This chicken recipe works well with bone-in chicken thighs, drumsticks, or a combination of both. Try my baked chicken thighs.
- Other Seasonings: Feel free to mix and match the herbs as desired. Savory or marjoram will add an earthy flavor similar to the thyme and rosemary. You can also use dried basil or Italian seasoning instead of the oregano.
- Lemon Herb Chicken: Like in my oven baked cod no breading, this flavor combination works well with chicken too. Add zest from a lemon and a squeeze of lemon juice to the herb and spice mixture for a citrusy kick.
- Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken: Mix honey and Dijon mustard to create a glaze. Brush it on the chicken during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. It’s a sweeter version of my chicken thighs with creamy mustard sauce.
- Mediterranean Style: Add chopped Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese over the top of the chicken before baking or use the same topping in this Mediterranean baked cod recipe.
How To Bake Chicken Leg Quarters in the Oven
With minimal prep time, you will have roasted chicken leg quarters in a flash. Follow these easy step-by-step photo instructions. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for a printable version. To get started, grab all your ingredients and preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix together the dried rosemary, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, and garlic powder to create your spice rub for the chicken.
- Add the oil to the seasonings.
- Mix the seasonings and oil together until they’re well combined.
- Place the chicken leg quarters on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Pat them dry with paper towels.
- Rub the chicken quarters with the seasoned oil. Be sure the entire quarter is covered with the seasonings.
- Bake in the oven until done. When it’s ready, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
These juicy baked chicken quarters pack in a lot of flavor with minimal effort. Even your picky eaters will reach for more!
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Pat Dry the Chicken: Before adding the seasoning, pat the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up during baking.
- Even Seasoning: Ensure even distribution of herbs and spices by rubbing them over each piece of chicken. This guarantees a balanced flavor.
- Room Temperature Chicken: Allow the chicken to come to room temperature before baking. This promotes even cooking throughout the meat.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Invest in a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F (74°C). This prevents undercooking or overcooking.
- Let it Rest: Allow the baked chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat juicy.
Recipe FAQs
To get that irresistible crispy skin, the most important thing to is to start by patting the chicken dry with paper towels—moisture is the enemy of crispiness. You can also bake the chicken on a wire rack set inside your baking dish. This will allow air to circulate underneath, which helps the skin crisp evenly. For extra crunch, broil the chicken for the last 2–3 minutes of cooking—but watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!
Chicken leg quarters are safe to eat at 165°F (74°C), but for the most tender, juicy meat, aim for an internal temperature between 175°F and 185°F (80–85°C). Dark meat like legs and thighs benefits from being cooked a bit longer. It helps break down connective tissue and makes the meat super tender without drying it out. Always use a meat thermometer and check the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone.
Absolutely! Stick with any combination of the herbs recommended in the recipe or as substitutions. You can also experiment with using different spice blends for different flavors such as Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or any other chicken seasoning blends you love! Just don’t skip mixing it with oil as the oil is key to crispy skin.
Bake chicken leg quarters uncovered to help the skin get golden and crispy. Covering the chicken traps steam, which keeps the skin soft—not ideal if you’re going for that delicious roasted texture. If you’re worried about it drying out, don’t be—dark meat like leg quarters stays juicy thanks to the higher fat content.
How to Store and Reheat
- Leftovers: Refrigerate leftover chicken leg quarters within 2 hours of cooking, stored in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap for up to four days. You can also freeze it for up to three months.
- Reheating: For best resutls, reheat leftovers in a 350°F (175°C) oven. Place the chicken in a covered dish, add a bit of water or broth, and heat for 15-20 minutes or until the temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). You can also reheat in a microwave in short intervals, flipping occasionally, until it’s warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
This baked leg quarters recipe goes with just about any combination of sides! Some of my favorite dishes to serve with oven-baked chicken quarters for an easy weeknight dinner are homemade au gratin potatoes and sauteed frozen green beans.
Oven baked chicken quarters also pair well with honey glazed carrots or this grilled eggplant recipe as a simple side dish. For the summer, pair it with lighter sides like an Italian rice salad or Italian potato salad! If you love dessert, try a no-bake dessert like this pistachio tiramisu and classic tiramisu.
More Baked Chicken Recipes
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Baked Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 chicken leg quarters
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- Black pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, mix dried rosemary, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, and garlic powder to create your spice blend.
- Place the chicken leg quarters on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Pat them dry with paper towels.
- Add the oil to the seasonings and mix until well combined.
- Rub the chicken quarters with seasoned oil, ensuring the entire quarter is covered with the seasonings.
- Place the baking sheet or dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy- the size of the meat will determine the exact time.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving for a burst of freshness.
- Serve the juicy and flavorful baked chicken leg quarters with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning. Moisture is what keeps the skin from crisping, so don’t skip this step! You can also place the chicken on a wire rack helps air circulate and promotes crispier skin all around.
- Rub the spice mix evenly over the chicken for balanced flavor in every bite. Mix it with a little oil to help it stick—and boost crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer and aim for 175–185°F for the juiciest dark meat. Give the chicken 5–10 minutes to rest before serving so the juices can redistribute.
- Feel free to experiment with different seasonings. You can try Cajun, Italian, or your favorite chicken blend—this recipe is flexible and flavorful no matter what you use.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a tasty and easy recipe everyone loves!