This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and highly recommend. You can read my full disclosure . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This easy air fryer chicken leg quarters recipe makes the juiciest chicken with browned, crispy skin without deep frying or breading. Just like my crispy air fryer chicken legs, you only need pantry ingredients and less than 30 minutes to make them. Enjoy these with air fryer broccoli for a dinner the whole family loves, even picky eaters.
These air fryer chicken leg quarters are lifesavers on busy days. I slather a couple of inexpensive chicken legs with simple seasonings, and into the Ninja Foodi they go. The hot air crisps the skin, locking in the juiciness and flavor. No breading, and no actual frying. Just perfectly cooked chicken in under 30 minutes. These air fryer chicken leg quarters are a favorite weeknight dinner served with garlic butter rice and air fryer green beans.
Why You Should Make These Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
- Quick and easy. This chicken leg recipe takes 4 steps and 30 minutes from prep to plate.
- Browned and crispy skin. The spice blend and your air fryer make the chicken leg quarters’ skin crisp, browned, and super flavorful without breading or deep frying.
- Tender and juicy meat in less time. The air fryer cooks these chicken leg quarters in a fraction of the time it takes to bake in the oven or make crockpot chicken leg quarters. Great for last-minute dinners!
Ingredients Needed
The perfect blend of spices is key. Here’s what I use. You’ll find the full ingredients list with amounts in the recipe card below the post.
- Chicken leg quarters: I’m using raw, whole chicken leg quarters. They come with both the drumstick and the chicken thigh.
- Mixed herbs: The Bragg 24 Herbs & Spices Sprinkle is one of my favorite spice blends because it includes black pepper and dried herbs like parsley, tarragon, and thyme, and adds a lot of flavor without having to buy all these seasonings individually. Any mixed herb blend with similar ingredients will work in this recipe, or you can use Italian seasoning or poultry seasoning.
- Spices: Onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika further deepen the flavors.
- Olive oil: You can use olive oil or another neutral-tasting oil, like avocado oil, with a high smoke point (learn more about the best oils for air frying in my cooking tips article).
How to Make Chicken Leg Quarters in the Air Fryer
Cooking perfectly juicy chicken leg quarters in the air fryer is easy. Choose legs that are roughly the same size, so they’ll cook evenly.
Season the Chicken
First, pat the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels. Add the chicken to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
Mix the seasonings, add them to the chicken, and toss to coat.
Air Fry, Rest, and Serve
Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket. Make sure the legs are in a single layer. Then, cook the chicken at 400ºF for 11-12 minutes per side. The chicken leg quarters are cooked when an instant-read thermometer inserted close to the bone reads 165ºF. I usually stop the air fryer when they hit 160ºF, and let the legs come to temperature while they rest afterward.
SAVE THIS RECIPE
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip the oil. Use olive oil or avocado oil to help brown the chicken skin. You can also add a little bit of oil spray to the tops of the chicken while cooking to help with additional browning.
- Take the chill off. Take the chicken leg quarters out of the refrigerator before cooking. This allows them to cook more evenly.
- Don’t crowd the chicken. Ensure the chicken legs have room in your air fryer basket. If your chicken is crowded in your air fryer basket, then it makes it difficult for the hot air to circulate. So, be sure to give them room.
- Mix the spices first. Mix the spices before adding them to the chicken, so the spices coat the chicken leg quarters evenly.
- BBQ chicken. Follow my air fryer chicken leg quarters recipe as written, then brush the chicken with BBQ sauce partway through cooking. Air fry for another 5-10 minutes until the BBQ sauce is slightly charred.
Frequently Asked Questions
I cook my chicken leg quarters for about 22 minutes, or 11-12 minutes per side at 400ºF.
Yes. However, for the best results, you should thaw your chicken leg quarters before cooking.
Yes, you should flip these halfway through to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly.
Absolutely. For more flavor, use a chicken marinade before seasoning. Make sure to pat the chicken dry.
Storage
- Refrigerate. Store the cooked and cooled chicken leg quarters in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheat. Warm the chicken in the air fryer, the oven, or the microwave.
If you try this recipe, please stop back and leave it a star rating and/or a review in the comments. Stay connected & share photos of your creations with me & others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Use DRDAVINAHS at checkout to save on some equipment & ingredients!
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.25 pounds Chicken leg quarters, raw, about 2 chicken leg quarters
- 1 teaspoon 24 Herbs Sprinkle Seasoning (Salt-free)
- ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Natural Ancient Sea Salt
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and add the chicken leg quarters to a bowl with the olive oil.
- Mix the spices together.
- Add the spices to the bowl with the chicken and oil. Toss the chicken leg quarters in the spices and oil to coat.
- Add the chicken in a single layer to your air fryer basket. Air Fry the chicken for 11-12 minutes per side at 400 degrees.
SAVE THIS RECIPE
I’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Recipe Notes
- Use olive oil or avocado oil to help brown the chicken skin: you can also add a little bit of oil spray to the tops of the chicken while cooking to help with additional browning.
- Take the chicken leg quarters out of the refrigerator before cooking: this allows them to cook more evenly
- Ensure the chicken legs have room in your air fryer basket: if your chicken is crowded in your air fryer basket, then it makes it difficult for the hot air to circulate. So, be sure to give them room.
- Mix the spices before adding them to the chicken: this helps the spices coat the chicken leg quarters evenly.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
Leave a Reply