Name: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 chicken leg quarters (rinsed & patted dry); 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; oil for misting; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1/4 cup white wine vinegar; lemon slices for garnish (optional); parsley for garnish (optional)

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If you’re looking for a healthier dinner, look no further than our air fryer chicken leg quarters. You’ll love how the air fryer cooks the chicken tender and juicy on the inside with a crispy skin on the outside.

This easy recipe is ready in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. And because kids love chicken drumsticks, it’s a dish that your picky eaters will enjoy.

Overhead view of an air fried chicken leg quarter on a white plate with wild rice and lemon slices.

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We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.

We tend to eat a lot of meals with chicken. And after making air fryer tenders I wanted to switch things up and make something without breading.

Leg quarters are inexpensive, making them a great choice if you’re on a budget. Or if you’re looking to save a little money when trying to feed a crowd on the cheap.

And making chicken quarters in the air fryer cuts down on the cooking time compared to baking them in the oven. Not to mention you don’t have to heat up the kitchen – bonus! And the chicken cooks up beautifully, so why wouldn’t you use the air fryer?

New to air frying? Get the low down on maximizing your usage of this amazing small appliance, including easy clean up tips, with our best air fryer tips for beginners.

What are Chicken Leg Quarters?

This is the part of the chicken that consists of the thigh and drumstick all in one. Both cuts are dark meat and cooked as a single piece. They are often referred to as “the whole leg”.

Leg quarters are typically much cheaper to buy than other cuts of poultry. That being said, if you want to make chicken thighs or drumsticks separately, you can buy the quarters and cut them apart yourself.

Even though chicken breasts are leaner, the dark meat is the juiciest and is the most flavorful of the two cuts. Which is why we chose the cut for this recipe.

Get the low down on our 12 must-have accessories for air fryer cooking.

Ingredients Needed

chicken leg quarters – the size of our air fryer basket allowed us to cook 2 at one time.
salt and black pepper – for seasoning.
oil for misting – any kind can be used as long as it has a high smoke point. We typically go with olive oil for this recipe.
sugar, lemon juice, and white wine vinegar – this simple glaze brings a bright citrus flavor to the chicken.
lemon slices and parsley – for garnish, optional.

Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chicken Quarters in the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and spritz with oil (we use a mister). Season with salt and pepper.

Side by side images of chicken in air fryer basket and chicken seasoned with oil, salt, and pepper with text overlay.

Air fry chicken for 20 minutes or until it reaches 160 degrees F.

Combine the sugar, lemon juice, and vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring it to a low simmer then remove from the burner and set aside.

Once the chicken has finished cooking, brush each piece with the glaze and top with slices of lemon.

Two images of chicken after being cooked for 20 minutes and chicken in air fryer with glaze and topped with lemon slices with text overlay.

Continue cooking for 4 more minutes.

Transfer the juicy chicken to a plate and tent with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Unsure which oil to use? Check out our handy guide to the Best Oil for Air Fryers.

Tips for Making

For best results, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning and spritzing with oil. This removes the excess moisture so they cook up super crispy.
Leave the skin on for crispier chicken and to lock in the best flavor.
To make cleanup easier, use a parchment paper liner. You’ll want to add this to the basket after preheating and before adding the chicken.
Make sure you place the quarters in the basket in an even layer and not touching so the hot air can circulate easily. This also helps reduce the cooking time compared to baking chicken in the oven.
Insert an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken, but not touching bone, to make sure the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F before serving.
Depending on the size of the chicken quarters and your air fryer basket, you may need to cook in batches and the cooking time may vary.
For even crispier chicken, cook with the skin side down for 10 minutes then flip at the halfway point and continue cooking.

Front view of a white plate filled with an air fried chicken leg quarter with rice and lemon slices next to a fork.

Substitutions and Variations

Seasoning: add your favorites such as garlic powder, onion powder, or a blend like Nature’s Seasoning. You can also use any dry rub you like.

Spicier: a dash of cayenne pepper will add a nice kick.

Wings: Use this recipe to make chicken wings in the air fryer. You’ll need to reduce the cooking time for these smaller pieces.

What to Serve With

For more of a comfort food vibe, you can serve these hearty chicken quarters with homemade stuffing, cornbread muffins and green bean casserole.

Air fried chicken quarters go well with butternut squash fries, Hasselback potatoes, or sweet potato wedges.

In the market for a new air fryer? Get the scoop on all the options to help you choose the right air fryer.

How to Store

Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until the chicken is warm and crispy.

If you’re looking for an easy dinner, chicken quarters in the air fryer are sure to please. All it takes are a handful of ingredients and less than 30 minutes to put this flavorful meal on the table.

More easy air fryer chicken recipes…

close up of 2 boneless chicken thighs made in the air fryer on a plate with a site of white rice

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Air fryer chicken leg quarter topped with a lemon slice on a white plate with rice with text overlay.

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