These air fryer chicken quarters are seasoned to perfection, tender and juicy inside, with wonderfully crispy skin bursting with incredible flavor. Plus, they're ready in just 30 minutes!
I make air fryer chicken leg quarters all the time because this method is super fast and super easy. You only need one main ingredient and your favorite spices, and the results are perfect each and every time. That crispy and flavorful skin! You will love it!
Chicken quarters are also budget-friendly and so versatile - you can serve them with anything you like or use the meat for recipes that call for shredded or rotisserie chicken. You can use the meat to make Chicken Cilantro Lime Tacos, Chicken Chipotle Enchiladas, or Chicken Fajita Tacos (craving Mexican food right now).
Ingredients: 1 main + oil and spices of choice
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
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Recipe ingredients
Chicken quarters: I can fit 2-3 quarters in my air fryer, depending on their size. There should be enough space between the pieces for the hot air to circulate, ensuring even cooking and crispy skin.
- You can also use quarters to make Chicken with Guinness, Tandoori Paste Chicken, or Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken.
Oil: I use just a little vegetable oil to coat the pieces of meat. It helps the spices stick, adds flavor, and makes the skin extra crispy.
Spices: Use whatever you like! I love my mix of smoked paprika (not hot), cumin, coriander, allspice, and turmeric, and I highly recommend it. But any dry rub or spice blend you enjoy will work just as well. If your spice cupboard is empty, don’t worry - just salt and pepper will do, especially if you plan to use the shredded meat in other recipes with their own flavors.
Seasoning options are endless! You can go with a Dry Rub for Cajun Wings, this Spicy Dry Rub for Wings, Hot Lemon Pepper Wings seasoning, Italian seasoning, classic poultry seasoning, jerk seasoning, or whatever else suits your taste. The choice is yours!
See the recipe card for detailed instructions and full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to cook chicken quarters in the air fryer?
Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
Step #1: Pat the quarters dry with paper towels and rub them with oil and the spice mixture.
Step #2: Place them in the air fryer basket skin-side down. Cook them for 10 minutes.
Step #3: Flip the pieces skin-side up.
Step #4: Cook them for another 10 to 15 minutes or until they are cooked through and the skin is crispy. Check. Let the meat rest for 4-5 minutes before serving.
Tips
Air frying time may vary depending on the size of the legs. My quarters are always pretty much standard size (about 10-12 ounces/ 280-340 g each). Larger pieces will take longer, while smaller ones will cook faster. If needed, you can air fry a bit longer to ensure they’re fully cooked.
Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab) to make sure the meat is fully cooked - it should be between 170°F and 180°F (77-82°C). Dark meat is more forgiving than chicken breasts, so you have some flexibility to ensure it's cooked through and the skin is crispy.
Crispy skin: Drying the chicken with paper towels is key to achieving crispy skin, so be sure to do this before applying the oil and spices.
Seasoning: If you like my seasoning mixture, triple the amount and keep the mixture in a small jar in a cupboard; it will be fine for 2-3 months.
Store and reheat
Refrigerate: Let the chicken cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze it in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months.
To reheat, use the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes until hot and crispy. You can also reheat it in the oven at the same temperature for 10 to 15 minutes on a baking sheet. The microwave works in a pinch, but the skin won’t stay crispy.
What to serve with chicken quarters?
I last served the air-fried chicken quarters with the Celeriac Coleslaw, as you can see in the picture above, along with oven-baked potato wedges and peppers.
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📖 Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Quarters
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 chicken leg quarters about 10-12 ounces/ 280-340 g each, Note 1
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt Note 2
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika mine is not hot
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- Season chicken: Mix all the spices in a small bowl. Pat the leg quarters dry with paper towels. Rub them with the oil and the spice mixture.½ teaspoon fine sea salt + ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper + ½ teaspoon turmeric + ½ teaspoon smoked paprika + ¼ teaspoon allspice + ½ teaspoon cumin + ½ teaspoon coriander + 2 chicken leg quarters + 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Cook skin-side down: Place the quarters in the air fryer basket skin-side down. Cook them for 10 minutes.
- Cook skin-side up: Flip the pieces skin-side up and cook them for 10 to 15 minutes or until they are cooked through and the skin is crispy. Check the internal temperature; it should be between 170°F and 180°F/ 77-82°C (Note 3).
- Let the chicken rest for 4-5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Chicken quarters: If the size allows, you can fit three quarters in the air fryer basket. However, make sure not to overcrowd it - there should be enough space between the pieces for proper air circulation to ensure even cooking and crispy skin.
- Spices: The choice is yours - salt and pepper work just fine, but I recommend the blend mentioned above; it’s so flavorful. You could also try Cajun, Italian, or jerk seasoning, classic poultry seasoning, or your favorite dry rub.
- Check doneness: If you don’t have an instant-read thermometer (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab), make a small cut on the underside of the chicken quarter near the bone. The flesh should be white - no pink should remain.
Adina says
My teenage son makes this on a regular basis.