Air Fryer Chicken Legs Quarters Recipe

Using an easy seasoning to bring out the flavors in these air fryer chicken leg quarters means that it’s delicious and easy on the wallet too! 

The great thing about air fryer chicken leg quarters is that they are speedy and simple to make. Even inexperienced cooks will have a plateful of perfectly succulent chicken ready in less time than it takes to make and drink a hot cup of coffee.

Air frying chicken leg quarters ensures they will be tender and flavorsome because the superheated air cooks more quickly than other methods, so fewer of the meat's natural juices evaporate. Plus, it makes the skin crispy!

A simple combination of garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning is all you’ll need to season these air fryer chicken quarters to perfection—an excellent recipe for families who are short on time.

Ingredients you’ll need to make chicken leg quarters

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Chicken leg quarters: Packed full of succulent dark meat, you’ll love using chicken leg quarters because it’s so much easier to get a wonderfully tender finish - unlike chicken breast, which can quickly dry out.

Garlic and onion powder: I use these in many recipes; it’s worth grabbing some to keep in the cupboard! Powdered garlic and onion are much better than fresh in this recipe because they stick more easily to the chicken.

Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning is available in most grocery stores and usually contains basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. It’s a cost-effective way to combine lots of different flavors. If you don’t have any, you could substitute for dried oregano and basil. 

How to cook chicken leg quarters in air fryer

Seasoning: In a small bowl, mix Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder

Pat the chicken legs quarters dry with paper towels, drizzle with olive oil, and season with the seasoning mixture and salt and pepper to taste.

Air Frying: Place the chicken quarter in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry to 380ºF for 20 minutes turning halfway through. Or cook until the meat reaches 165ºF.

Serving: Remove from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Recipe tips

• Don’t skip patting the chicken dry! Doing this means that the air fried chicken leg quarters will go nice and crispy, as moisture can stop this from happening.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check chicken legs; this is the best way to avoid over or undercooking. To use the meat thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the meat, and be careful to avoid touching the bone, as this can alter the reading. The correct temperature for chicken is 165°F.

How long to air fry chicken leg quarters 

Air fry chicken leg quarters for 20 minutes at 380°F, turning once halfway through. 

The cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer model and the size of your chicken legs, so always use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

What goes good with chicken quarters

• Air fryer whole sweet potato
• Air fryer acorn squash
• Simple air fryer green beans
• Instant pot mashed potatoes cauliflower

How to store chicken leg quarters?

In the fridge: Seal leftover air fryer leg quarters in an airtight container and move them to the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking to avoid bacterial growth. You can safely store cooked chicken in the fridge for 3-4 days.

In the freezer: Lay the chicken leg quarters on a baking sheet (ensure they aren’t touching) and freeze for 8 hours. Then, transfer to freezer bags. It’s safe to store cooked chicken indefinitely at 0°F, but for the best quality, it’s better to consume it within three months.

How to reheat leg quarters

In the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F, and then lay the chicken quarters in air fryer basket. Heat for 6-8 minutes, or 14-18 minutes if you are heating from frozen, and be sure to flip halfway through.

In the oven: Place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking tray, then heat in a preheated oven at 400°F for around 15 minutes. If the chicken is frozen, you will need to defrost it first (you can do this by leaving it in the fridge overnight or heating it in the air fryer for 10 minutes). 

On the stovetop: Heat a little water in a skillet (just enough to cover the bottom of the pan) until it’s starting to simmer, and then add the chicken legs. Heat them for around 10 minutes. You will need to defrost frozen chicken before heating it on the stovetop.

Always use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving. 

FAQ'S

What to do with leftover chicken quarters

Leftover air fry chicken quarters are delicious and served cold as part of a picnic spread, or you can strip the meat into sandwiches, soups, and stews. 

Cooked chicken is also a shortcut to any number of wonderful chicken recipes:

• Air fryer chicken quesadilla
• Air fryer chicken fajitas
• Healthy instant pot chicken risotto

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