Cook up Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters in just 15 minutes for the perfect blend of crispy skin and tender chicken. With a deliciously flavorful marinade with lime juice to help that tenderness even further.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It's quick and cooks up in just 15 minutes
- It's easy - just marinate & cook
- Flavor-packed thanks to the Mexican chicken marinade
- Extra tender thanks to all that lime juice
- So versatile - use any marinade or seasoning you like, for example lemon chicken marinade
- Healthy & cheap and a great option for busy weeknights!
What You Need to Make Them
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Chicken leg quarters can be swapped for another cut of chicken like chicken breasts, chicken tenders, chicken drumsticks, chicken legs or thin chicken breasts. Just reduce the cook time slightly if using a smaller cut.
- Seasonings can be adjusted as you like. I really like this Mexican chicken marinade, and another great option is this Lemon Chicken Marinade. But feel free to use you favorite marinade, chicken seasoning mixture or spices. Anything that works well on the grill, will work well here!
How to Cook Them
- Place chicken in a preheated air fryer basket.
- Air fry until done, flipping them at least once along the way to ensure an even cook.
Expert Tips
- Preheat your air fryer for best results
- Flip the chicken at least once for a nice, even, sear
- Don't overcrowd the basket - cook in a single layer, and make sure there's enough room between the chicken pieces for the air to circulate.
- Don't overcook the chicken - cook until just done
- Chicken is done when the internal temperature is 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear
- Use a meat thermometer to cook your chicken just right
- If your chicken is almost done - just a few degrees away from your target - you can remove it from the air fryer and wrap it in aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 5 minutes and it will be done.
Storing, Reheating and Freezing Instructions
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer.
More Quick & Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Patties1 Hours
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks38 Minutes
- Air Fryer Orange Chicken30 Minutes
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets13 Minutes
Sauces & Sides to Serve With It
- Buffalo Dipping Sauce2 Minutes
- Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes30 Minutes
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes35 Minutes
- Air Fryer Steak Fries25 Minutes
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Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Print RateServings: 4
Calories: 317kcal
Cook time: 15 minutes
Marinating (optional) 30 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken leg quarters or drumsticks, bone-in thighs or other cut of chicken
Mexican Chicken Marinade (or other marinade or seasoning)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or a neutral cooking oil
- 2 tablespoon lime juice fresh squeezed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fine table salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients for your marinade or spice rub in a bowl and mix well.2 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tsp fine table salt
- Place chicken in a large plastic bag and pour over the marinade. Tie a knot on the bag and massage the chicken to spread out the marinade evenly.2 lb chicken leg quarters
- If using a marinade, allow to marinate 30 minutes before cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer by running it at 400℉ (200℃) for 5 minutes.
- Place chicken pieces in air fryer basket and air fry 15 minutes, flipping them once every 5 minutes.
- Make sure they are cooked through, then serve!
Notes
This recipe was tested in a Philips HD9252/90 Air Fryer* and a Ninja DZ401 DualZone XL Air Fryer*. Cook time can vary with your air fryer model.
- Switch up the seasonings as you like, for example by using a Lemon Chicken Marinade instead
- Flip the chicken at least once for a nice, even, sear
- Don't overcrowd the basket - cook in a single layer, and make sure there's enough room between the chicken pieces for the air to circulate.
- Don't overcook the chicken - cook until just done
- Chicken is done when the internal temperature is 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear
- Use a meat thermometer to cook your chicken just right
- If your chicken is almost done - just a few degrees away from your target - you can remove it from the air fryer and wrap it in aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 5 minutes and it will be done.
- Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer. Air fry for 5 minutes at 360°F (180°C), turning once halfway. Make sure they are heated through, and add more time if needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 692mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 374IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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