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two roasted chicken leg quarters served on a white plate with herb garnish

Crispy Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 5 Ingredients or Less, Budget-Friendly, Chicken, Comfort Food, Easy, Family Friendly
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 439kcal
Author: Marilyn
Chicken leg quarters are roasted at a high heat for crispy skin and moist and tender meat. Whole garlic cloves and rosemary infuse the chicken and your kitchen with mouth-watering flavor.
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Ingredients

  • 4 chicken leg quarters
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil, or other neutral cooking oil
  • 8 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3 sprigs fresh rosemary

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • In a 13- by 9-inch glass baking dish add the melted butter and the olive oil.
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Add the chicken quarters skin side down and then turn them in the butter mixture until well coated. Arrange the chicken leg quarters skin side up in the baking dish without overlapping.
  • Generously season the chicken quarters with kosher salt. Scatter the whole garlic gloves around the chicken. Sprinkle the rosemary leaves over the chicken.
  • Bake for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 400°F and bake, for 10 to 15 minutes more or until an instant read thermometer inserted horizontally into the thickest part of the leg quarter registers 160°F.
  • Transfer chicken to serving plates and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Cut any excess fat or pin feathers from the chicken leg quarters.
  • Patting the chicken dry with a paper towel will help the oils and seasonings adhere better and will result in crispier skin.
  • Instead of melting the butter separately, I put the butter and the oil in the glass baking dish and place it in the oven while the oven is preheating. You need to keep an eye on it so the butter doesn't brown. You want the butter melted and slightly bubbly. Remove the dish from the oven and gently swirl the dish to spread the oils evenly. Then, continue with the rest of the steps.
  • The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F. I recommend removing the chicken 5 degrees sooner as the chickens internal temperature will continue to rise once it is removed from the oven.
Serving Suggestions:

Nutrition

Calories: 439kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 386IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg