Chicken Quarters Recipe. By using a mix of everyday herbs and spices, these oven-baked chicken quarters transform into a mouthwatering meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Preparing this sheet-pan recipe is a breeze. Chicken Quarters Recipe: Just stir together the spice rub and massage it onto the chicken quarters. After roughly 45 minutes, you’ll be rewarded with incredibly juicy and tender chicken that everyone will love!

What are Chicken Quarters?

Chicken quarters, commonly called chicken leg quarters, are the combined pieces of drumstick and thigh. They are considered dark meat and highly regarded as being the most flavorful parts of a chicken. They are very forgiving when it comes to cooking and are perfect for cooks of all skill levels. Chicken leg quarters are also usually very affordable, so they’re ideal for budget-friendly meals.

Ingredients

One of the things I absolutely love about this recipe is that it’s simple and uses a mix of herbs and spices that you likely already have in your pantry and spice rack. This mix of spices is perfect for seasoning poultry and makes the tender, juicy meat of the chicken quarters even more savory. Let’s take a look at the spice rub mix…

• Salt and pepper
• Italian Seasoning
• Ground mustard
• Onion and garlic powder
• Paprika

The Italian blend seasoning is the perfect combination of several key spices, including oregano, thyme, rosemary, and basil. The ground mustard adds a vibrance with a bit of spiciness that complements the other flavors and brings everything to life. It’s a wonderful ingredient and perfect for poultry recipes. The paprika adds a mild flavor to the spice mix and, of course, its excellent color.

Also Read: Shredded Chicken Recipes: Easy, Quick & Flavorful Meals

Preparation

Begin by preparing a baking sheet by lining it with foil. This will help with cleanup.

First, remove any excess fat or loose skin from the chicken, especially the areas between the leg and the thigh. Then, use paper towels to pat the chicken dry on all sides completely. This is a very important step because removing the moisture is what helps the skin become really crispy when it cooks.

After you mix the spices, brush both sides of the chicken with olive oil. Then, spread the spice mix evenly over the chicken and press it down with your hands so it sticks well to the skin. I like to apply a thin coating of oil to the skin side of the chicken quarters after all the spice rub has been added.

Finally, arrange the seasoned chicken on the prepared sheet pan, and it’s ready to be placed in the oven.

Bake at 425°(F) for 35-45 minutes

Place the sheet pan of chicken into a preheated oven set to 425°F and bake for 35-45 minutes. While chicken is considered safe to eat when its internal temperature reaches 165°F, we want our chicken quarters to reach around 195°F for optimal results. At 195°F, the collagen breaks down, resulting in incredibly tender and flavorful chicken that is juicy and succulent. If the chicken is only cooked to 165°F, it will be tough and lacking in juiciness. Note that the internal temperature of 165°F is suitable for white meat, such as chicken breast, but for dark meat quarters, we aim for 195°F.

Let Chicken Rest Before Serving

When the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes. By allowing the chicken to rest, the juices have a chance to seep back into the meat. As the chicken cools, the proteins start to relax, and the juices are able to move back through the meat. This helps keep the chicken juicy and flavorful when you cut into it.

Goes Well With…

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes: A natural pairing, our Instant Pot mashed potatoes are easy to make, rich, and OH so good!

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts: Crispy sprouts seasoned with parmesan cheese and ranch spices. They are so tasty that even people who usually dislike vegetables will love them.

Also Read: Rotisserie Chicken Recipes: Easy, Quick & Flavorful Meals

Conclusion

This Chicken Quarters recipe is juicy, crispy, and very easy to make. Chicken Quarters Recipe It is a great choice for a quick dinner on a busy day or a nice meal with your family. With a simple spice rub made from everyday pantry ingredients and a high-temperature bake, you get tender, flavorful dark meat with irresistibly crispy skin every time. Chicken quarters are affordable, easy to cook, and very tasty, making them perfect for cooks of all levels. Chicken Quarters Recipe: Serve them with your favorite side dishes, let them rest for a few minutes, and enjoy a delicious, restaurant-style meal at home.

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