Juicy Crispy Baked Chicken Leg Quarters (Printable version)

Golden roasted chicken leg quarters with crispy seasoned skin and juicy, tender meat. Simple oven preparation delivers restaurant-quality results in 55 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 chicken leg quarters (about 2.5–3 lbs total), patted dry

→ Seasonings & Marinade

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons kosher salt
04 - 1 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
07 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for mild heat)

→ For Serving (optional)

11 - Fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Lemon wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top for optimal crispiness.
02 - In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, onion powder, oregano, and chili powder.
03 - Pat the chicken leg quarters dry thoroughly with paper towels. Place them on the prepared rack.
04 - Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken leg quarter, ensuring good coverage, especially under the skin for extra flavor.
05 - Roast in the preheated oven for 40–50 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and deep golden brown, and the internal temperature reaches 175°F at the thickest part (not touching bone).
06 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The skin gets impossibly crispy while the meat stays juicy inside
  • One bowl of seasoning does all the heavy lifting in under 10 minutes
  • Lefoters make the best chicken sandwiches youve ever had
02 -
  • A wire rack is not optional here, it creates the crispy skin on all sides
  • Patting the chicken completely dry before seasoning makes all the difference
03 -
  • Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before roasting for even cooking
  • Broil for the last 2 minutes for extra crispy skin, but watch it like a hawk

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