Are you ready to transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for seconds? Get ready to discover the ultimate crispy baked chicken leg quarters recipe that promises golden, crackling skin and juicy, tender meat that falls right off the bone! This foolproof method will elevate your home cooking game and turn an everyday meal into a gourmet experience that looks and tastes like it was prepared by a professional chef.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken leg quarters
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top to ensure even air circulation and crispy skin.
- Pat the chicken leg quarters completely dry using paper towels. Removing excess moisture is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create a seasoning blend.
- Brush each chicken leg quarter thoroughly with the seasoning mixture, ensuring complete coverage on all sides. Massage the seasonings into the skin for maximum flavor absorption.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken leg quarters on the wire rack, skin-side up, ensuring they are not touching each other to allow proper heat circulation.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme if desired.
Tips
- Moisture is the Enemy of Crispy Skin: Always thoroughly pat your chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning. The less moisture, the crispier the skin!
- Temperature Matters: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) without overcooking.
- Wire Rack Magic: Using a wire rack on your baking sheet allows hot air to circulate completely around the chicken, creating even, crispy skin on all sides.
- Don't Crowd the Pan: Give each chicken leg quarter enough space to ensure proper heat circulation and prevent steaming.
- Broiler Boost: The final 2-3 minutes under the broiler can take your chicken from good to absolutely incredible, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Resting is Crucial: Always let your chicken rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 304kcal
Carbohydrates: 1g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 90mg
