What is a chicken leg quarter?

A chicken leg quarter is a full chicken leg that has not been separated into thigh and drumstick pieces and, sometimes, a portion of the back. Occasionally you will see the term chicken leg and chicken leg quarter used interchangeably.

How long do you bake chicken leg quarters?

I like to bake my chicken leg quarter for about 45 minutes (depending on their size), even if I spend extra time searing them before putting them in the oven. Since dark meat tends to be fattier, I prefer the extra time for the fat to render.

What temperature are chicken leg quarters done?

Chicken leg quarters should be cooked to a safe temperature of 165˚F. I recommend using a meat thermometer to measure the temperature before serving.

Do you braise covered or uncovered?

Traditionally, braised meats are cooked with liquid in a covered pan or pot. I prefer my chicken to get crispy on top, so I always braise my chicken legs uncovered.

Can you overcook when braising?

Technically, yes you can over cook your meat when braising, especially since this recipe uses an open braising technique. Fortunately, this type of recipe much more forgiving than traditional baked chicken, and dark meat usually stays tender even when it's slightly overcooked.

Garlic Baked Chicken Legs Recipe

Name: Garlic Baked Chicken Legs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 chicken leg quarters; Coarse salt & black pepper; 8 – 10 garlic cloves, smashed; 1 cup dry white wine*

Ingredients

Scale

4 chicken leg quarters
Coarse salt & black pepper
8 – 10 garlic cloves, smashed
1 cup dry white wine*

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C). On the stove, heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high.
Season chicken legs liberally with coarse salt and black pepper. Sear the chicken on both sides, until the skin is golden in color and easily removes from the pan.
Remove from pan and set aside. Add the wine and garlic to the skillet. Bring the liquid to a low simmer and deglaze the pan. Return the chicken legs to the pan and transfer to the oven.
Bake for 35 – 45 minutes, or until chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165˚F. Remove from oven and immediately.

Notes

*If you want this recipe to be dairy free, make sure the wine is dairy free. Read more about dairy free alcohol here.

Category: Mains
Method: Baking

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 332
Sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 410.2 mg
Fat: 22.6 g
Saturated Fat: 6.2 g
Carbohydrates: 1.9 g
Fiber: 0.1 g
Protein: 23.4 g
Cholesterol: 131.8 mg

Keywords: dairy free, paleo, easy, 5 ingredient