Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
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Air fryer chicken leg quarters come out with crispy skin and juicy dark meat from a simple spice rub. They’re one of the easiest dinners I make.
Chicken leg quarters are what I grab when I want dark meat but don’t feel like choosing between drumsticks and thighs, since you get both attached in one piece. I make air fryer chicken all the time, and these are about as easy as it gets. I rub on some seasoning, pop them in the basket, and the air fryer crisps up the skin while I barely lift a finger.
The hands-on part is only about five minutes, and dinner is ready in around 40. The recipe makes two, so I just double it whenever I’m feeding the whole family. And if you only have drumsticks on hand, my air fryer chicken drumsticks work great too.
What makes these so easy
Crispy skin with no deep fryer. You get all the crispy skin you want from dark meat, with no pot of oil and no mess to clean up.
Just a simple spice rub. No flour, no breading, just a quick mix of everyday spices rubbed right on.
Cheap and hands-off. Leg quarters are one of the most affordable cuts, and the air fryer does almost all the work.
What is a chicken leg quarter?
A chicken leg quarter is the drumstick and thigh still joined together as one cut. You usually see drumsticks and thighs sold separately, so a leg quarter is a bigger, heartier piece that gives you both kinds of dark meat at once. They’re easy to find and usually cheap, which is part of why I love them.
Ingredients and why they work
Here’s what goes into these air fryer chicken leg quarters and why each one matters. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Chicken leg quarters – the drumstick and thigh in one cut. Dark meat that stays juicy and is hard to overcook.
- Olive oil – helps the seasoning stick and the skin crisp up.
- Paprika – a little color and a mild smoky note.
- Garlic powder and onion powder – the savory backbone of the rub.
- Dried mustard – a little sharpness that gives the seasoning depth.
- Salt and pepper – season the meat all the way through, not just the surface.
- Red pepper flakes – optional, for a little heat if you want it.
How to make air fryer chicken leg quarters
Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements and storage tips.
Season the chicken. Mix the paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Rub the leg quarters all over with olive oil, then sprinkle the seasoning on every side.
Air fry skin-side up. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Lay the quarters in a single layer, skin-side up, and cook them for 15 minutes.
Flip and finish. Flip the chicken and cook them for another 12 to 15 minutes, until the thickest part hits 165°F on a thermometer.
Rest before serving. Pull the chicken out and let it rest for 10 minutes so the juices settle back into the meat.
Looking for a different cut? Use my easy air fryer chicken guide for other times and temps.
My tips for the crispiest skin
- Pat the chicken dry first. Before the oil goes on, blot the skin all over with paper towels. Dry skin crisps up nicely, but wet skin just steams, so that one step really makes a difference.
- Don’t crowd the basket. Keep the quarters in a single layer with space around each one so the air can move. Cook in batches if they don’t all fit.
- Use a thermometer. Check the thickest part near the bone. 165°F is the safe minimum for chicken, per the USDA.
- Let the dark meat go a little higher. Unlike chicken breast, leg quarters stay juicy even at 175 to 185°F, and that’s when the meat turns really tender and starts to pull off the bone. So don’t stress if they run past 165.
- Give it a few extra minutes for crispier skin. If the skin isn’t as crisp as you want when the meat is done, a couple more minutes skin-side up will get it there.
Easy seasoning variations
The spice rub here is my go-to, but this is an easy recipe to switch up. Swap the seasoning for any of these:
- BBQ seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Taco seasoning
If you want barbecue flavor, toss the cooked quarters in sauce after they come out of the air fryer instead of before. That keeps the basket clean and the sauce from burning. My 2 ingredient BBQ sauce is an easy one to use.
What to serve with chicken leg quarters
These are an easy main, so I keep the sides simple. Air fryer asparagus or air fryer spaghetti squash cook fast while the chicken rests. For something heartier, I love Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes or Ninja Foodi rice. And when I want a little sweet next to the savory chicken, roasted acorn squash with brown sugar is so good.
How to cook frozen chicken leg quarters
Forgot to thaw the chicken? You can cook these straight from frozen. Season them the same way, then preheat to 400°F and cook skin-side up for 20 minutes. Flip and cook another 15 to 20 minutes, until the thickest part reaches 165°F, and rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Storing and reheating
Let the chicken cool, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They freeze well too. Cool them completely and freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat and bring the skin back, warm the quarters in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 to 6 minutes, until heated through. The air fryer crisps the skin back up better than the microwave does.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put raw chicken leg quarters in the air fryer?
Yes. There’s no need to boil, bake, or cook them ahead of time. Season the raw quarters and let the air fryer do all the work.
Do I need to remove the skin?
Nope, and I wouldn’t. The skin crisps up in the air fryer and helps keep the meat moist. If you’d rather skip it, you can pull the skin off after cooking.
How do I know when they’re done?
The safe minimum is 165°F in the thickest part. Dark meat is forgiving, so a little higher is fine and even better for texture. A thermometer takes the guesswork out.
Can I make this with more than 2 quarters?
You can, as long as they fit in a single layer with a little space between them. If they don’t, cook in batches so the air can circulate and the skin still crisps.
More air fryer chicken recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
Still hungry for ideas? Here’s my whole collection of air fryer recipes to dig through.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 chicken leg quarters
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried mustard
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, and red pepper flakes. Rub the chicken on all sides with olive oil, then sprinkle on all sides with the seasoning mix.
- Place chicken in a single layer, skin-side up, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and cook an additional 12-15 minutes, until the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Remove the chicken and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Leg Quarters in the Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, and red pepper flakes. Rub the frozen chicken on all sides with olive oil, then sprinkle on all sides with the seasoning mix.
- Place chicken in a single layer, skin-side up, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and cook an additional 15-20 minutes, until the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Remove the chicken and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
How to Reheat Chicken Quarters in the Air Fryer:
1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. 2. Place the leftover chicken leg quarters in the air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 5-6 minutes, until warmed through.Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
MAKING TO NIGHT
This looks amazing. Can’t wait to try it.
I love leg quarters, they are such an affordable way to buy chicken and taste amazing!
oh man, these are sooo good! So easy to make, too! Will definitely be making these all the time!
Looks delicious. Lovely spices. I will try this
I like the addition of dried mustard to this recipe
Hello,
My chicken quarters were thawed. I have a Cosori 5.8 so it was big enough for two! I pre-heated to 400. I cooked for 15 min. I flipped then did 13 minutes as they looked great! Neither was close to done, red juice on the plates, and blood in the chicken. I cooked a 3rd one for 15 min, then added one of the first ones for 8 min. Then put the other one in for the last 7 min (3rd one still in there). Took both out and still not fully done. Got mad, threw all 3 in at 400 for 10min and walked away. They were finally done. By this point, I had made chicken nuggets in the oven for the kids. FYI, I have no problem with frozen chicken wings!
Hi Scott, it sounds like your chicken quarters may have been slightly larger than the ones I typically get, so they can take a few minutes longer. If you pull them out of the air fryer for a few minutes, it will take a bit for them to start cooking again when they are placed back in there. I recommend using an Instant Read Thermometer and popping them back in for about 5 to 10 more minutes and I think they would’ve cooked for you. Pulling them out for 15 minutes will cause them to cook slower when placed back in there. This part works the same way as an oven.
I have an under used fryer but you have inspired me. I book marked this page.
Thank you.
Oh Judith, I’m so happy to hear that! Welcome, I hope you find several recipes you love.