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    Home » Recipes » Meats

    By Amy · Published: Sep 7, 2020 · Updated: Sep 7, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy 29 Comments

    Italian Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters

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    Roasted dark meat chicken in a white baking dish with overlay text.

    These delicious roasted chicken leg quarters are an effortless and budget-friendly dinner perfect for any night of the week.

    Closeup view of three pieces of baked chicken in a white baking dish.

    This dish requires minimal prep time (10 minutes max) and is easily adaptable to use your favorite herbs and spices. Serve it with mashed potatoes and green beans for a satisfying dinner everyone will love!

    What I love about this recipe is that it goes with just about any side dish and is so simple to prepare. The skin crisps up beautifully with tender, juicy meat on the inside.

    Overhead view of ingredients on a white marble surface.

    Ingredients Notes

    • Leg quarters – I used three (about ¾ pound each) in this recipe because that’s all I could fit into my baking dish. This recipe will work for four as well, you will just need to adjust your ingredients and monitor the temperature of your meat.
    • Seasonings – Get creative and use your favorites! Ideas that come to mind are thyme, paprika, onion powder, basil and rosemary. I like to use Italian seasoning because it is a mixture of my favorites.
    • Crushed red pepper – I don’t think the added heat from the red pepper is too overpowering, but black pepper can be substituted for less heat (if desired).
    • Butter – Olive oil can be substituted for butter.

    Two images of preparing chicken to go into the oven.

    How to Make it

    This is most definitely a no-fuss, simple main course.

    1. Brush chicken with melted butter.
    2. Drizzle with a little lemon juice.
    3. Sprinkle seasoning mixture on top.
    4. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink and juices run clear (will depend upon size of leg quarters).

    Helpful Tips

    • Try to use the same size leg quarters for even cooking.
    • Allow the chicken to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before baking, if possible. Placing ice cold meat in the oven can lead to uneven cooking.
    • Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving to give the juices a little time to redistribute.
    • A helpful article is 9 Mistakes to Avoid when Cooking Chicken, According to Chefs by Food and Wine.
    Overhead view of oven roasted chicken in a white baking dish.

    More Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas

    • French Onion Chicken
    • Creamy Tuscan Chicken
    • Herb Breaded Chicken Thighs

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    Three pieces of roasted dark meat chicken in a white baking dish.

    Italian Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters

    This savory, juicy and flavorful chicken is an easy and budget-friendly dinner the whole family will love!
    4.93 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: roasted chicken leg quarters
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Resting Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    Servings: 3
    Author: Amy

    Ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper*
    • 3 chicken leg quarters bone-in and skin-on, about ¾ pound each
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter** melted
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
    • lemon wedges for garnish (optional)

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking dish (or spray with cooking spray).
    • Combine Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder and red pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
    • Remove any excess skin from chicken using kitchen shears (or very carefully with a knife).
    • Place leg quarters skin-side up in prepared baking dish. Brush evenly with melted butter, then drizzle with lemon juice.
    • Sprinkle seasoning mixture evenly over chicken.
    • Bake for 45 to 50 minutes (uncovered), or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear (will depend upon size of leg quarters).
    • Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
    • Sprinkle with parsley and garnish with lemon wedges before serving, if desired.

    Notes

    • Foodsafety.gov recommends a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F for poultry.  
    • *Black pepper can be substituted for crushed red pepper.
    • **Olive oil can be substituted for butter.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 422kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 172mg | Sodium: 504mg | Potassium: 296mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 624IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

    If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheBlondCook or tag #theblondcook!

    Originally published November 2016. Updated with new photographs, helpful tips, recipe slightly revised and republished September 2020.

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Billy Garfield says

      March 05, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe. I tried the recipe this evening and got rave reviews from the family. Thanks!!

      Reply
    2. Cheryl says

      January 17, 2021 at 6:20 pm

      Absolutely loved this recipe very tasty can’t wait to make again

      Reply
    3. Holly says

      January 13, 2021 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      Very good! I am saving this recipe. I made it with the mashed potato recipe that was in the blog. My brother was overjoyed with those, he said “this is the perfect mashed potato texture. When I said I wanted mashed potatoes that have texture like Bob Evan’s, this is what I meant.” The chicken was also very good. I was worried about the red pepper flakes a bit, but I didn’t taste the spice at all. Saving both this recipe and the potato one

      Reply
      • Amy says

        January 14, 2021 at 9:15 am

        Thank you, Holly – so happy you enjoyed both the chicken and the potatoes (and your brother, too!).

        Reply
    4. Corella says

      June 24, 2020 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! I’ve made this several times always a winner.

      Reply
    5. Lianna says

      June 07, 2020 at 7:24 pm

      5 stars
      I served this dish tonight. My husband absolutely loved it! It is very easy to prepare as well.

      Reply
    6. Jeffrey Henderson says

      May 07, 2020 at 8:15 pm

      5 stars
      All the accolades are well-deserved! Followed the directions exactly, except for four chicken leg quarters instead of two. Because we are at altitude, cooked them for a straight one hour, plus a few more minutes, and then rested in the oven with the door cracked open for another fifteen minutes, and we thoroughly cooked through and very moist! All four of my family members (including myself) raved about it, and along with wild rice pilaf and steamed broccoli, there were no leftovers, which is always a good feeling for the cook. Superb, and easy to boot, great job!

      Reply
    7. Ginna B says

      April 08, 2020 at 1:18 pm

      5 stars
      EVERYONE, EVERY TIME I serve this, with no adjustments whatsoever, loves this ( do broil for two minutes, on occasion). We even have a special name for it, “Uncle Ed’s Chicken”, for the first and extremely enthusiastic response to it. It never fails, and is one of only three or four dishes I can make any time for any occasion knowing it’s a “never fail.” This is particularly complimentary as I cook well and often–all but once a month or so per year, and make everything, including condiments and bread, from scratch. One caveat: I tried this once without skin, and found it to be mediocre at best.

      Thanks for a unanimous extended (count of 42) family favorite!

      Reply
      • Amy says

        April 08, 2020 at 4:37 pm

        Thanks so much, Ginna! So happy to hear everyone loves it… you made my day. Hope you and your family are doing well and staying safe during this time!

        Reply
    8. Beverly Harper says

      November 16, 2019 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      I am back at your site again reading all your wonderful replies. I am So glad I found this recipe I had to tell you twice.

      Reply
    9. Jon M. says

      September 11, 2019 at 7:10 pm

      Making this tonight. Not sure when to add the lemon slices as garnish but I think I’ll wait until the last 10 minutes of baking. Simple enough that even I can remember the recipe.

      Reply
    10. Gordon Wagner says

      July 28, 2019 at 7:13 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and so easy to prepare! Very good flavor. Tastes sophisticated and fancy!

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        July 29, 2019 at 8:45 am

        Thanks so much, Gordon… glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Nicole S. says

      February 26, 2019 at 6:26 pm

      I am about to make it, I see no negative reviews!! I’m a little iffy about red pepper flakes because my daughter and I are not huge spice lovers but maybe a couple flakes?

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        February 27, 2019 at 9:39 am

        Hi Nicole, I didn’t think it was overly spicy but understand everyone’s taste buds are different… I hope you and your daughter enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Beverly Harper says

      February 18, 2019 at 2:29 pm

      Came out WONDERFUL will make over and over again. SO EASY!!

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        February 21, 2019 at 11:45 am

        Thanks so much, Beverly! 🙂

        Reply
    13. Nikki says

      December 31, 2018 at 8:01 pm

      5 stars
      Not finished cooking yet but smells delicious !!

      Reply
    14. Lavina Budd says

      December 01, 2017 at 7:12 pm

      Excellent flavour combination – soooo delicious! The leftover sauce tastes great on rice too.

      Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂

      Reply
      • Brenda Marquardt says

        March 19, 2019 at 9:30 pm

        5 stars
        Turned out great. Easy enough for my non-cooking husband to get started. I put them under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up the skin. Served with mash potatoes and sautéed green beans. Thanks

        Reply
    15. Ashley DeMyers says

      August 13, 2017 at 9:59 pm

      Came out great!!

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        August 14, 2017 at 7:29 am

        Thanks so much, Ashley! 🙂

        Reply
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    Hey, I'm Amy Brinkley! Welcome to my online kitchen. I love cooking simple, family-friendly recipes with everyday ingredients.

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