How long to bake chicken leg quarters at 400? You can make this delightfully tender and crispy dish in less than 60 minutes.
Chicken leg quarter is a combination of drumsticks and chicken thighs. It falls in the category of dark meat. It is incredibly juicy as well because the chicken skin crisps excellently. The taste will be even better if you coat or stuff it with garlic butter.
Chicken leg quarters also make for a great dish for any dinner party. They look extremely beautiful on the table.
They will be ready in 45 minutes if cooked or baked at 400°. However, the cooking time also depends on the number of quarters.
Similarly, you can prepare the recipe in 5 minutes.
How Long to Bake Chicken Leg Quarters?
First of all, you need to know the ingredients required to make them.
- Whole chicken legs: they are also known as chicken leg pieces or chicken leg quarters.
- Garlic herb butter: you can easily find garlic herb butter in any grocery store. Alternatively, you can also make it at home using fresh garlic, chives, parsley, salt, onion powder, and black pepper.
There are countless recipes to make delicious chicken leg quarters. For example, you can add the following ingredients to make flavorful chicken.
- Kosher salt: it offers a sort of flaky taste.
- Red pepper flakes: they are an excellent option for having subtle heat.
- Fresh herbs: tarragon, thyme, and rosemary make chicken legs mouthwatering to eat.
- Lemon pepper seasoning: it can add an instant yet sumptuous flavor if you are short on time and other seasonings
- Seasoning mix: you can also use seasoning mixes such as Montreal Steak seasoning, BBQ seasoning, and Italian seasoning
- Spices: of course, spices in the likes of chili powder and garlic powder are a must.
On the other hand, you can always bake the chicken only with salt and pepper. Just add some barbecue sauce and your chicken is as good as with all those seasonings.
Of course, you cannot forget about the kitchen supplies.
- Baking sheet pan: it is the best tool for making a quick meal for the night. It is also known as a half-sheet pan.
- Paper towel: you must fully dry your chicken pieces before applying the butter. If you don’t, you will only get clumps of better and an absolute mess. Nothing is better than a paper towel to accomplish this task.
- Meat thermometer: You must cook the chicken to at least 165° to ensure it is neither overcooked nor undercooked. A meat thermometer helps you measure the internal temperature of the meat.
Best Method for Baking Chicken Leg Quarters
We have gathered both our ingredients and kitchen supplies. Now, how long to bake leg quarters at 400°?
Start by preheating your oven to 400°. Unpack the chicken and remove any excess moisture using the paper towel.
Apply the garlic butter all over the chicken such as under and on top of the skin. Make sure that garlic butter has been at room temperature before use.
Put the chicken in a roasting pan or a rimmed baking sheet. Place the legs in a single layer with a few inches between them to roast them evenly.
Now, roast the legs for 40-45 minutes at 400°. You can only get the juicy chicken and crispy skin by roasting them at high temperatures.
Keep roasting for 40-45 minutes without turning the chicken or until it attains the internal temperature of 165° F.
Cover the chicken with the aluminum foil when you remove it from the oven provided it is cooked properly.
How to Serve Chicken Leg Quarters?
You also need a yummy side dish for chicken leg quarters. The best comfort foods you can serve with chicken legs are Cream Roasted Cauliflower, Southern Collard Greens with Bacon, and Macaroni and cheese if you have many mouths to feed.
You can store the leftover chicken in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Always use an airtight container to store the chicken as well. Reheat it in the air fryer when you want to eat it later.
Also Read: How Long To Bake Cookies In An Air Fryer?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does chicken take to bake at 400?
A 5-6 ounce medium-sized chicken breast takes about 20-25 minutes to bake at 400. Boned chicken leg quarters should bake for almost 45 minutes at 400.
Is it better to bake chicken legs at 350 or 400?
You will get juicier meat and crispier skin at 400 compared to 350.
Can I bake a chicken at 400?
Baking a chicken at 400 offers juicier meat, crispier skin, and comparatively tastier meat compared to lower temperatures.
Final Thoughts
Baking chicken leg quarters at 400 takes about 40-45 minutes. You just need to have the right ingredients and kitchen supplies to make this delicious dish. Similarly, you can prepare it in a relatively quick time and serve it with other comfort foods for a scrumptious dinner.