• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Fast Recipe Food Blog
  • 15 Minutes or Less
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • 15 Minutes or Less
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • 15 Minutes or Less
    • Recipe Index
    • Latest Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Air Fryer

    Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Quarters

    Last modified: Feb 11, 2025 ยท Published by Adina, Feb 7, 2025 ยท 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    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!

    one crispy chicken quarters and golden baked potato wedges on a plate.

    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

    Jump to:
    • Recipe ingredients
    • How to cook chicken quarters in the air fryer?
    • Tips
    • Store and reheat
    • What to serve with chicken quarters?
    • ๐Ÿ“– Recipe
    • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Comments

    Recipe ingredients

    labeled ingredients for cooking chicken quarteres with spices and oil.

    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, donโ€™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 380ยฐF (190ยฐC).

    two large seasoned chicken quarters on a blue plate.

    Step #1: Pat the quarters dry with paper towels and rub them with oil and the spice mixture.

    two raw chicken legs quarters in the air fryer basket.

    Step #2: Place them in the air fryer basket skin-side down. Cook them for 10 minutes.

    two chicken leg quarters cooked half way in an air fryer.

    Step #3: Flip the pieces skin-side up.

    two cooked chicken leg quarters in the air fryer basket.

    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 theyโ€™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 170ยฐF and 180ยฐF (77-82ยฐC). 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.

    one chicken quarter, oven-baked potatoes and coleslaw on a plate.

    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 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) 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 wonโ€™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.

    • a bowl of dill lemon rice topped with a large sprig of dill and lemon slices.
      Dill Lemon Rice
    • red-skinned mashed potatoes with melting butter on top.
      Red-Skinned Mashed Potatoes
    • cheesy smashed potatoes on a black baking sheet.
      Cheesy Smashed Potatoes Recipe
    • purple cabbage slaw in a large bowl.
      Purple Cabbage Slaw
    Hungry for More Fast Recipes?

    Sign up for our Newsletter to receive new, quick, and delicious recipes in your inbox occasionally! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest and Facebook

    Give my quick recipes a try for your next family meal! Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance!

    ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    air fryer chicken quarters served with potato wedges.

    Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Quarters

    These air fryer chicken quarters are juicy and tender inside, with crispy, flavorful skin - ready in just 30 minutes!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 384kcal
    Author: Adina

    Equipment

    • Air fryer
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients  

    • 2 chicken leg quarters about 10-12 ounces/ 280-340 g each, Note 1
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt Note 2
    • ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ยฝ teaspoon turmeric
    • ยฝ teaspoon smoked paprika mine is not hot
    • ยผ teaspoon allspice
    • ยฝ teaspoon cumin
    • ยฝ teaspoon coriander

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 380ยฐF (190ยฐC).
    • 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.
      ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt + ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper + ยฝ teaspoon turmeric + ยฝ teaspoon smoked paprika + ยผ teaspoon allspice + ยฝ teaspoon cumin + ยฝ 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 170ยฐF and 180ยฐF/ 77-82ยฐC (Note 3).
    • Let the chicken rest for 4-5 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    1. 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.
    2. Spices: The choice is yours - salt and pepper work just fine, but I recommend the blend mentioned above; itโ€™s so flavorful. You could also try Cajun, Italian, or jerk seasoning, classic poultry seasoning, or your favorite dry rub.
    3. Check doneness: If you donโ€™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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1chicken quarter | Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 702mg | Potassium: 323mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 373IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it today!Mention @thefastrecipe or tag #thefastrecipe!

    More Crispy Air Fryer Recipes: Quick and Easy Meals

    • air fryer smashed potatoes on a green plate with a rosemary sprig.
      Smashed Potatoes in the Air Fryer
    • air fryer garlic parmesan wings on a small white plate with parsley.
      Garlic Parmesan Wings in the Air Fryer
    • two pieces of panko chicken, one sliced, on a green plate with salad and lemon wedges.
      Crispy Panko Chicken
    • air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus on a small black plate.
      Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    Sharing is caring!

    23 shares
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 1 vote

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating





      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Adina says

      February 07, 2025 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      My teenage son makes this on a regular basis.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Adina Beck the recipe writer, creator, and photographer behind The Fast Recipe Food Blog.

    Hi, I'm Adina! I am a foodie, creator, writer, and photographer, creating and photographing recipes for my blogs and clients.

    More about me โ†’

    Most Popular

    • collage of four pictures of different dipping sauces for calamari.
      Best Dipping Sauces for Calamari
    • small bowl of creamy ricotta mac and cheese on a white cloth with blue flowers.
      Creamy Ricotta Mac and Cheese
    • quick pork belly bites sprinkled with green onions on a white plate.
      Quick Pork Belly Bites
    • red dutch oven with mac and cheese without flour.
      Simple Mac and Cheese without Flour

    Easy Summer Dinner

    • italian zucchini soup topped with fresh basil in a large bowl.
      Italian Zucchini Soup
    • penne caprese with tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil in a bowl.
      Easy Penne Caprese
    • two pieces of panko chicken, one sliced, on a green plate with salad and lemon wedges.
      Crispy Panko Chicken
    • a bowl of dill lemon rice topped with a large sprig of dill and lemon slices.
      Dill Lemon Rice

    Footer

    โ†‘ back to top

    About

    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Check out our Web Stories

    Contact

    If you have any questions or want to work with us, please email us @ yummy@thefastrecipe.com

    If you would like to use one of our photos in your editorial content, please feel free to do so as long as a link back to thefastrecipe.com is provided. Thank you.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright ยฉ 2025

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.