Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

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Baked chicken leg quarters is a simple all-in-one sheet pan dinner that’s simple and easy to make! This flavorful dish is just the thing to whip up for a date night at home.

Baked chicken quarters look impressive, but require minimal prep. Just mix a simple marinade for the meat and potatoes, then toss everything into the oven while you and your date sip on a glass of wine. 

Roasted potatoes and chicken leg quarters are filling but not heavy, so you can enjoy the rest of your evening without feeling overstuffed.

And this recipe is easy to double when you want to feed the whole family a delicious and satisfying meal. 

You might also like this Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Sweet Potatoes, and Ground Chicken Chili and this easy Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes.

Why Make This Recipe

• Simple – Make a simple marinade and then let the oven do the rest of the work for you!
• Romantic – This meal is perfect for date night, but can easily transform into an easy dinner for the whole family. 
• Customizable – Add your favorite veggies to customize this one-pan dinner to suit your preferences. 

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken – This recipe uses chicken leg quarters, which include the drumstick and the thigh. 
• Potatoes – Medium potatoes cut in quartersm or baby potatoes cut in half. You can select red or yellow potatoes.
• Olive oil – Or any light, neutral-flavored oil. 
• Lemon Juice – Since I use fresh lemon in other parts of the recipe, I grab an extra one and use fresh-squeezed lemon juice. You could use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. 
• Italian Seasoning – This spice blend contains basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, sage, and coriander.
• Smoked Paprika – Smoked paprika gives the meat a smoky flavor, but you can use regular sweet paprika.
• Lemon Zest – This recipe calls for the zest of half a lemon. 
• Garlic Powder – Adds a warm, earthy flavor. 
• Salt and pepper – The perfect all-purpose seasonings. 
• Lemon – Thinly sliced lemon will be placed on top of the chicken before baking. 

What Are Chicken Leg Quarters?

Whole chickens can be broken down into four quarters. There are two leg and thigh quarters in every chicken. This section is sometimes called the thigh-drumstick piece or chicken drumstick quarter.

So, are you ready to learn how to make Baked Chicken Quarters? Gather your ingredients and I will show you…

How To Make Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F or 220 degrees C.
2. Cut the potatoes into quarters and place them on a rimmed sheet pan.
3. Combine the marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
4. Add the chicken leg quarters to the sheet pan, brush the marinade on both sides of the meat and potatoes.
5. Top the chicken with lemon slices and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and reads 165 degrees F or 74 degrees C on a meat thermometer.

Pro Tips

• If you don’t have a sheet pan, you can cook this in a baking dish.
• Chop the potatoes into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. 
• Use the meat juices to make a quick pan gravy to serve with the chicken. 
• If the chicken starts to brown too much during cooking, cover it with foil. 
• Put the baking tray under the broiler for a few minutes just before serving to crisp the skin. 
• Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Delicious Variations

• Swap the Meat – You can make this dish with other cuts of chicken. Use separated drumstick and thigh pieces, whole chicken breasts, or chicken breast quarters. Simply adjust the cooking time accordingly. 
• Add Vegetables – Add carrots, brussels sprouts, or your favorite vegetable to make this a full meal. 
• Use Butter – Substitute melted butter for the oil.
• Swap the Seasonings – Use your favorite seasoning blend in place of the Italian seasoning. 

Prep And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Chop the potatoes and place them in a baking dish with the chicken. Cover and store in the fridge overnight.  Brush on the marinade and add the lemon slices just before baking. 
• Store – Leftovers can be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

FAQs

More Recipes You May Like

• Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast.
• Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders.
• Air Fryer Chicken Leg Drumsticks.
• How Long to Boil Chicken Legs.
• How Long To Boil A Whole Chicken.

Serving Suggestions

• Easy Broccoli Cranberry Salad.
• Air Fryer Baked Feta Cheese Appetizer.
• Cranberry Mimosa Cocktail.
• Instant Pot Creme Brulee.

Thank you for reading my chicken leg quarters recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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