These easy Air Fryer Chicken Quarters come out crispy on the outside and juicy inside — every time. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a simple and delicious dinner fast.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- You'll love the crispy chicken skin and tender dark meat.
- They are quick and easy to make.
- The cooking time is cut in half compared to baking in the oven.
- Use different seasonings to switch up the flavor.
- Great for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Budget-friendly chicken pieces.
- It is just as easy as using a Shake and Bake seasoning mix.
Ingredients
Only a handful of simple ingredients are needed to make this air fryer chicken recipe.
- Chicken quarters. I used bone-in and skin-on chicken quarters. This is the chicken's hindquarters with both the leg and thigh. One quarter is enough to feed one adult person - so four quarters will serve four people.
- Olive oil. This helps lock in moisture and gives the rub something to stick to. You can also use avocado oil.
- Chicken rub. I used my Homemade Rub For Smoked Chicken, which can be used on any chicken or pork recipe. It's delicious. It is made with brown sugar, garlic powder, Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, chili powder, seasoning salt, and black pepper. It makes a huge batch, but you can use it again the next time you make chicken. But feel free to use your favorite chicken seasoning or just a sprinkle of lemon pepper seasoning.
See the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Step 1: Brush the chicken all over with olive oil.
Step 2: Mix the ingredients for the spice mix in a small bowl or jar (brown sugar, garlic powder, Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning, paprika, onion powder, chili powder, seasoning salt, and black pepper).
Step 3: Sprinkle dry rub generously over the chicken. Ensure each piece is coated well. You can also place the chicken in a large plastic bag or bowl with the seasoning and shake to coat.
Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. (The first time I made them, I cooked them at 385°F, but the outside cooked too fast and got too dark). Place chicken skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Step 5: Air fry chicken quarters for 25-28 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken in the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F, flipping the chicken halfway through. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Top Tips
- Let the chicken sit with the dry rub at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to add more flavor.
- Preheat your air fryer so the chicken starts cooking immediately.
- Don't be shy with the spice rub.
- Give the chicken quarters enough space in the air fryer basket so the hot air can move around them. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Start with the chicken skin side down. This is how you will get deliciously crispy skin at the end.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. It's done when it reaches 165 degrees F. Make sure you are not touching the bone with end of the probe.
Variations
- Coat your chicken in a spicy Cajun seasoning, or add cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Brush the juicy chicken with BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Marinate chicken in the same chili-lime marinade as my Smoked Chili Lime Chicken Breasts.
- Marinate chicken in soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar for an Asian-inspired flavor.
- Make it low-carb or keto by omitting the brown sugar and using your favorite sugar substitute.
Related Recipes: Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks, Smoked Chicken Legs, Pit Boss Smoked Chicken Quarters, and Air Fryer Butterflied Chicken Legs.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer until hot.
Freezer: Remove leftover chicken from the bone and place it in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
Some of my favorite side dishes to serve with these air-fried chicken quarters are Greek Cucumber Salad or Cucumber Salad With Mayo.
They also go great with Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes, Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes, and Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges.
Recipe FAQs
Chicken quarters take about 25–30 minutes to cook in an air fryer preheated to 380°F. Check for an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken and your air fryer model.
No, do not stack chicken quarters in the air fryer - they won't cook properly. Cook multiple batches if you need to.
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken quarters in the air fryer. However, they will take 5-10 minutes longer to cook. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
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Printable Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Quarters
Ingredients
- 4 chicken leg quarters bone-in, skin on
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons dry chicken rub The recipe below makes nine tablespoons. Store any extra rub in an airtight container.
Homemade Dry Rub For Chicken
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons Roasted Garlic and Peppers Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons paprika or smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Dry the chicken with paper towels, then brush the chicken all over with olive oil.
- Mix the brown sugar, garlic powder, Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning, paprika, onion powder, chili powder, seasoning salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar.
- Sprinkle approximately 3 tablespoons of dry rub generously over the chicken. Ensure each piece is coated well. You can also place the chicken in a large plastic bag or bowl with the seasoning and shake to coat.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Place chicken skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry chicken quarters for 25-28 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken in the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F, flipping the chicken halfway through. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
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Notes
- If time allows, let the chicken sit with the dry rub for 30 minutes, so it comes to room temperature before cooking.
- Air fryer models can vary in temperature and cooking time.
- Cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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