Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters are crispy, juicy, and flavorful, making them the ultimate easy dinner. A zesty garlic-lemon marinade infuses every bite, while the air fryer ensures a beautifully golden, crispy skin with tender meat inside.
Like my Air Fryer Pulled Pork, this is a quick and easy weeknight recipe that the entire family will love.
Jump to:
- A quick look at the recipe
- Why you'll love this recipe and make it again and again
- Ingredient notes and smart swaps
- How to make the best Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
- What to serve with Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
- Fun twists and tasty variations
- Shortcut to supper (time-saving tips)
- Storage and reheating
- Supper and then some (reimagining leftovers)
- Recipe FAQs (common questions answered!)
- Pro tips for foolproof results
- Try this recipe and let me know what you think
- Air Fryer Chicken Quarters Recipe
A quick look at the recipe
- ✅ Ready in: 1 hour, 35 minutes, includes 1 hour marinade time
- 🛒 Ingredients: 12
- 🍽️ Servings: 4
- 👩🍳 Difficulty: Easy → “No-Fuss Favorite”
- 🧊 Make-Ahead Friendly: Yes
Why you'll love this recipe and make it again and again
- Crispy outside, juicy Inside – The air fryer seals in moisture while crisping the skin to perfection, and it's healthier than frying.
- Quick and effortless – Minimal prep, easy cleanup, and perfect for busy weeknights.
- Packed with flavor – The simple marinade takes these chicken leg quarters to the next level.
Ingredient notes and smart swaps
Below are my notes (including substitutions) for the main ingredients. The recipe card below provides a complete list of all ingredients and measurements.
- Chicken leg quarters – Bone-in, skin-on for the best texture and flavor.
- Olive oil & lemon juice – Helps tenderize the poultry while adding fresh, bright flavor.
- Garlic, paprika & Italian seasoning – A robust blend of savory and herby notes.
- Better Than Bouillon – Provides a big flavor boost. I like Roasted Chicken flavor.
- Onion powder & chili powder – Enhances depth and adds a subtle kick.
- Olive oil cooking spray – Helps the skin crisp up.
How to make the best Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
- Make the marinade - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and seasonings in a bowl.
- Marinate the chicken - Coat the quarters thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (overnight works even better for maximum flavor).
- Preheat and add chicken - Set your air fryer to 385°F and allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes. Place the quarters skin-side down in the basket.
- Air fry: First 15 minutes: Cook skin-side down. Flip and spray: Turn the poultry over and lightly spritz with oil. Final 12-14 minutes: Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. *Pro Tip: Want extra crispy skin? Increase the temperature to 400°F for the last 2 minutes!
- Rest and serve — Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in the juices, then serve immediately with your favorite side.
What to serve with Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Pair this delicious main dish with:
- Sides: Four Cheese Macaroni and Cheese, Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges or Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes, and Spicy Coleslaw
- Bread: Cornmeal Drop Biscuits
- Dessert: Strawberry Brownies
Fun twists and tasty variations
- Want it spicier? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- No lemon juice? Swap for lime juice for a different citrus zing.
- No air fryer? Bake in your oven at 400°F for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway.
Shortcut to supper (time-saving tips)
- Prep the marinade in advance – Mix up the marinade and store it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. When it’s time to cook, just pour and go!
- Marinate the chicken overnight – Toss the leg quarters in the marinade the night before and let the fridge do the work. Come dinnertime, all that’s left is cooking.
- Use pre-minced or frozen crushed garlic – Save a few minutes (and avoid garlic fingers!).
- Batch cook & freeze – Double the recipe, then freeze half after cooking. You’ll have a flavorful dinner ready to reheat on a busy night.
Storage and reheating
- Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating. I recommend reheating your leftovers in an air fryer for 5 minutes to crisp it back up. You can also microwave for one to two minutes, though the skin may soften.
Supper and then some (reimagining leftovers)
Got leftovers? Turn them into a whole new meal!
- Chicken salad – Shred the meat and mix with mayo, celery, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a simple and tasty salad.
- Tacos – Dice the chicken and toss it with a little taco seasoning for quick and flavorful tacos.
- Brunswick Stew – My personal favorite. Simmer it with corn, lima beans, shredded chicken, and BBQ sauce for a rich, smoky, stick-to-your-ribs supper. It’s even better the next day—and perfect with cornbread on the side.
Recipe FAQs (common questions answered!)
Can I cook frozen chicken quarters in the air fryer?
Yes! Either skip the marinade and season the frozen quarters directly or add the marinade and chicken to a freezer storage bag and freeze. Air fry at 380°F for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
For the best results, yes! Preheating ensures even cooking and crispy skin.
Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead?
Yes, reduce cooking time to 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What if my air fryer is small?
Cook in batches so each piece has enough space to crisp up properly.
Pro tips for foolproof results
- Marinate Longer – The longer the meat marinates, the more flavor it absorbs. Overnight is best!
- Don’t Overcrowd – Leave space between the pieces for proper air circulation.
- Check the Temperature – Always use a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the poultry, but not touching the bone to ensure it reaches 165°F.
- Flip for Even Cooking – Cooking skin-side down first helps render the fat, then flipping ensures even crispiness.
- Let it Rest – Resting the meat before serving keeps it juicy and tender.
Try this recipe and let me know what you think
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
Did you try this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Quarters? I’d love to know how it turned out!
Did you give it your own twist or have a shortcut that made it even easier? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave a star rating. Your feedback helps others (and totally makes my day).
Thanks so much for visiting Practical Southern Cooking! I hope you’ll stop by again soon for more no-fuss comfort food and simple Southern favorites.
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Air Fryer Chicken Quarters Recipe
These Air Fryer Chicken Quarters are both crispy and tender bursting with flavor from a simple garlic-lemon marinade. The air fryer perfectly caramelizes the skin, locking in the chicken’s natural juices while creating a golden crust. Quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights, this chicken delivers tons of flavor with minimal effort.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 chicken leg quarters
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon base, I like roasted chicken Better than Bouillon
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, chicken bouillon, pepper, onion powder, and chili powder until well combined.
- Place the chicken quarters in a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, coating each piece very well.
- Refrigerate the chicken for at least one hour but overnight is best. *Prepare this the night before for an easy dinner.
- Preheat your air fryer to 385°F when ready to cook the chicken.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it skin side down in the basket. Brush some of the spice mixture from the marinade onto the chicken. Cook for 15 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over and lightly spray the tops with cooking spray. Cook for another 12-14 minutes. Check the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Sprinkle with some coarse salt to finish. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
You will probably need to cook the pieces in 2 batches as the quarters take up a lot of space.
Don’t crowd the pieces or it will not crisp up.
If you like extra crispy skin, bump up the air fryer to 400°F in the last couple of minutes of cooking. I recommend allowing the chicken to marinate as long as possible, overnight if you can. This will not only make dinner prep easy but also make the meat more flavorful.
Make sure to always check the temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone before serving. It should reach 165°F for safe consumption.
Nutrition
Calories: 446kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 24gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 703mgPotassium: 342mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 444IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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