Cheap, tasty, and easy to make, these baked chicken leg quarters with mixed vegetables are the perfect crispy dinner! Gluten-free and dairy-free, too!
The photos and recipe for these baked chicken leg quarters have been updated as of February 16th, 2017!
Today's recipe brings back memories of my childhood. I wrote up the post a while ago and completely forgot about it. It seems fitting to post it today since we have all been battling colds and fevers, and I do not want to keep you hanging for more recipes.
While I no longer eat meat, meals such as this baked chicken leg quarters with mixed vegetables were not uncommon. Sometimes we would have a roast, sometimes a ham. But no matter which meat we used, we always included potatoes, carrots, and onion to the pan so that the vegetables could soak up the drippings from the meat. I still remember making a ham dinner this way, and taking the leftovers to my best friend at school. She was so impressed by the flavors and had never had a meal where the veggies were cooked in the same pot as the roast/ham/meat. I felt pretty darn good that day!
With the cold weather upon us, we are wanting meals that are comforting. Plus, with the cold weather brings the germs, and bugs, and colds... Thankfully I made this recipe two times this past week. Once for a family visit, and the other time to have preparations ready for a chicken noodle soup. Because it was only a matter of time before someone got sick, and the first to catch the bug was Mr. TCW. Followed the next day by kiddo. I like to brag that my vegetarianism immunizes me from colds (I know it really does not, but it is nice to tease Mr. TCW a little since he always swears by eating meat." This time around I did not catch any bug from the two of them, but I was left taking care of them. With the second batch of these baked chicken leg quarters, I turned them into a leftover roasted chicken soup to help them with their colds.
This dish is so easy to make because it is a one pan meal. Prepare your veggies and toss them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pat the chicken dry completely (some people will actually leave their meat in the fridge overnight uncovered,) and place them on top of the veggies. Season accordingly, and there you have it! I made a side of rice to make the meal even more filling, but it is great on its own. Fresh herbs would do wonders here, but during the winter months I find fresh herbs lacking at the grocery market and even if I pick out some descent packages, they do not keep very long in my fridge.
📖 Recipe
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters with Mixed Vegetables
The crispy skin is created by baking completely dry chicken (no oil needed!)
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken leg quarters, bone in, skin on, pat completely dry.
- 6-7 slices of bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces
- 1 lb carrots, sliced ½ inch thick
- 1 lb potatoes, chopped small
- 1 onion, sliced in half or quarters depending on size.
- 4 garlic cloves, halved
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- Olive oil for coating vegetables and chicken
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone liner.
- Toss bacon, carrots, potatoes, onion, garlic, salt and pepper together. Pour onto baking sheet.
- Place chicken pieces onto pan. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle pan with paprika, oregano, and thyme as evenly as possible.
- Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes, tossing veggies after the first 10-15 minutes to coat everything in bacon grease. Chicken is finished when internal temperature reaches 160F.
- Broil chicken if desired for an even crispier skin!
Notes
Keep your veggie cuts similar in size so they cook evenly. No oil is needed as the bacon will release enough grease to coat the veggies.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 5Amount Per Serving: Calories: 650Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 315mgSodium: 566mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 66g
Now, you could use boneless, skinless chicken here, but you do risk the chance of drying out the meat. The skin crisps up nicely in the oven, but you can crisp it even more by setting the pieces under the broiler for a minute or two.
As for the bacon, I initially wanted to wrap the chicken in the pieces but thought the skin of the chicken would not crisp up nicely. It adds the perfect amount of oil to the dish without overpowering.
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me
Looks like the perfect weeknight dinner for the family!
Kacey
Couldn't agree more!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow
Love the simplicity of this recipe. I've learned that you don't have to (and actually shouldn't) wash raw chicken http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/washing-food-does-it-promote-food-safety/washing-food so it's even easier without that step. Great weeknight dinner.
Kacey
Thank you for this! We never washed our meat when I was younger, but growing up watching the Food Network I started to follow them. Will change my ways now.
Stephanie Stuart
This is perfect as I have a huge container of chicken quarters I wasn't sure what to do with - now I know what I'm having for dinner! Thank you
Kacey
Glad to help!
Annie @Maebells
Meals like this have a special place in my heart. My Mom would make things like this growing up and it just takes me back! Total comfort food!
Kacey
Thanks, Annie!
Lauren
My go-to weeknight dinner is bone-in skin-on chicken baked with a variety of veggies. So simple and SO good! Love this!
Kacey
And much cheaper than bone-less, skinless!
Nutmeg Nanny
This looks great! I love how easy it is to throw it all together, bake and devour!
Kacey
Super easy and quick: perfect for a busy week night.
amanda @ fake ginger
My husband is forever buying leg quarters and then over cooking them - I'm gonna have to make this for him!
Kacey
Haha! My biggest fear is overcooking meat, especially since I do not eat it!
Joanie @ ZagLeft
What a simple meal that's packed with so much flavor. I love one-pan dinners and you can't go wrong with chicken and vegetables.
Kacey
Agreed, Joanie. The one-pan/pot meals are very popular with busy families.
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy
I love how easy this is!! One pan meals are my favorite! Perfect for a busy week.
Kacey
Thanks, Jen!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence
I wish I was having this for dinner tonight. Looks SO tasty!!
Kacey
Remember this simple recipe for the future 🙂
Cbond
My husband and I love this. I usually have to cook about 1 hour, and 20 mins. Half to 3/4 way through I take out and remove any water that has built up from the veggies, and add a bit more olive oil if it all has washed away. The chicken is so tender, and the skin is nice and crispy. Wonderful!
Kacey
That is great to hear! I like the tip about the water build-up. I plan to revisit this recipe soon to take new pictures, so I will keep your advice in mind 🙂