These crispy chicken legs are rich with spicy, sweet, and savory flavors.

Baking the chicken leg quarters at 400F produces perfectly juicy meat and crispy skin.

If you don’t want the chicken skin, remove it after the chicken is baked.

Southern Living Baked Chicken Leg Quarters on a plate to serve with mashed potatoes and broccolini

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It’s best to keep it on the meat while it’s baking to help the chicken stay moist.

As a bonus, chicken leg quarters are usually one of the most inexpensive cuts in the store.

Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature.

Southern Living Baked Chicken Leg Quarters ingredients

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That’s the true indication of when chicken is finished cooking.

Chicken leg quarters should be cooked to 165F at the thickest part of the thighs.

Southern Living Baked Chicken Leg Quarters on a platter to serve

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Be sure to not touch the bone with the thermometer.

It can affect the reading.

And if you go a little over 165F, that’s ok. you’ve got the option to also freeze leftover leg quarters.

Southern Living Baked Chicken Leg Quarters making the spice mixture

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Wrap the chickens in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or store in an airtight container.

They can last 2 to 3 months in the freezer.

Thaw the chicken overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Southern Living Baked Chicken Leg Quarters adding the spice mixture to the chicken

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Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Season chicken:

Pat chicken dry using a paper towel.

Rub half of spice mixture underneath skin of each chicken leg quarter.

Southern Living Baked Chicken Leg Quarters brushing the chicken skin with oil

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Brush chicken evenly with oil.

Evenly sprinkle chicken all over with remaining spice mixture, and place on prepared baking sheet.

(If skin starts to brown too much, tent with a piece of foil.)

Southern LIving Baked Chicken Leg Quarters sprinkled with spice mixture

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Frequently Asked Questions

At 400F, chicken leg quarters will bake in about 40 to 45 minutes.

When the internal temperature reaches 165F, you’re free to pull the chicken from the oven.

Chicken leg quarters are finished baking when they reach 165F.

Southern Living Baked Chicken Leg Quarters after baking on baking sheet

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the meat.

For crispy skin, bake chicken uncovered.