Are you craving a mouthwatering chicken dish that's incredibly easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress? Look no further than these perfectly seasoned, golden-brown chicken leg quarters that will transform your ordinary dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you'll create a juicy, crispy masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken leg quarters
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil or use a ceramic baking dish for even heat distribution.
- Remove chicken leg quarters from refrigerator and pat dry completely with paper towels. This ensures crispy skin and better seasoning adherence.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create a uniform seasoning blend.
- Rub the seasoning mixture thoroughly over each chicken leg quarter, making sure to coat all surfaces, including under the skin and in any crevices.
- Place the seasoned chicken leg quarters skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other for even cooking.
- Insert the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured at the thickest part with a meat thermometer.
- Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.
- Optional: For extra crispy skin, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Tips
- Always pat the chicken dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness and better flavor absorption.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the chicken is cooked to the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to help redistribute the juices, keeping the meat tender and moist.
- For extra crispy skin, consider broiling for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- If you want to add more flavor, experiment with different spice blends or add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the seasoning mix.
- For even cooking, make sure the chicken leg quarters are not touching each other on the baking sheet.
- Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup and more even heat distribution.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 330kcal
Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 150mg
