Want to make a comfort meal to serve for dinner? Fall off the bone, tender chicken quarters cooked to perfection in a Dutch oven.
Why you will love this recipe
- Impressive Presentation: Dutch oven chicken quarters make for an impressive presentation, whether you're cooking for your family or entertaining guests. The golden-brown skin of the chicken, along with any accompanying vegetables or garnishes, looks inviting and appetizing when served directly from the Dutch oven to the table.
- Tender and Juicy Meat: Cooking chicken quarters in a Dutch oven allows for slow, even cooking, resulting in tender and juicy meat. The closed lid helps to trap moisture, keeping the chicken moist throughout the cooking process.
- One-Pot Meal: Dutch oven cooking is convenient because it allows you to cook everything in one pot. Sear the chicken quarters, then add vegetables and aromatics to the Dutch oven, creating a complete and hearty meal with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- chicken leg quarters
- chicken broth
- white wine, chardonnay
- carrots
- celery
- onion
- kicking chicken seasoning
See the recipe card for quantities.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions:
- You can order the "kickin' chicken finger licking" seasoning on Amazon. You can also find it at Home Goods/ TJmaxx/ Marshall's sometimes. If you are unable to find it and your store doesn't have a similar paprika blend, you can substitute it for your favorite all-purpose seasoning.
- If you are worried about using wine while cooking you can substitute it for more chicken broth. Although there is nothing to worry about because no actual alcohol will be left in the sauce it will evaporate and it is used to enhance the flavor.
- Chicken quarters can also be substituted for bone-in chicken thighs. Resulting in very similar results flavorful and tender.
You can make this recipe in an instant pot or slow cooker but my favorite method is in the Dutch oven. Follow all the same steps just in the instant pot and then turn on the meat option on the instant pot for 15-20 minutes or in the slow cooker on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
You can also make these as cast iron chicken quarters. Sear the chicken quarters, then cover with foil and bake the leg quarters in the oven at 400F for 30-45 minutes.
Instructions to make Dutch Oven Chicken Quarters
Step 1: Season each chicken leg quarter with about 1 tablespoon of kickin chicken seasoning and rub it into the skin and the meat making sure to get the seasoning under the skin. Place back into tray or plate and let marinate while you prepare remaining ingredients.
Step 2: Prepare and Sauté the vegetables and make the broth that the chicken will cook in. Chop up a large yellow onion into half and then thin slices, and place aside. Then, chop 2 celery stalks into small pieces, and 2 to 3 carrots into slices or chunks. No need to be too precise about how you chop it's just going into the pot for flavor.
Step 3: Braise chicken leg quarters but first preheat your oven to 400°F.
Heat your Dutch oven to high heat on the stovetop, then add in a drizzle of oil place chicken quarters skin side down, and braise until skin is golden and crisp. Set aside on a plate. Into the Dutch oven now on medium heat add in onion slices and sauté until caramelized. Then add in carrots and celery and sauté for about 3 minutes.
Step 4: Make the broth push aside all the vegetables and form a well in the middle of the sautéed vegetables, then pour in 1 cup of white wine to deglaze and let simmer into a reduction. The alcohol will evaporate and the flavor from the vegetables and the wine will create a flavorful broth for the chicken to cook in. Add the braised chicken quarters back into the vegetables making sure the vegetables are evenly distributed between each chicken quarter. Take some vegetables out onto a plate if that helps. Then pour in 32 oz (4 cups) chicken broth, it should cover the chicken.
Step 5: Bake chicken leg quarters: Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 30-40 minutes or until the meat is tender and falls off the bone. When ready to serve strain out some of the extras in the broth and pour the broth over the chicken and enjoy.
Equipment Recommendations
- Dutch oven- A Dutch oven is an amazing investment piece that is versatile for many comfort food recipes. Every meat recipe in a Dutch oven is cooked to perfection!
- Chopping board
- Sharp Knife
Best way to Store Chicken leg Quarters
If you are lucky to have leftovers store them in an airtight container and top the chicken with strained broth from the Dutch oven. When reheating add liquid to the chicken to keep it moist. Store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Recipe Pairing
What can I serve with this recipe for leg quarters:
SAFFRON RICE
DUCHESS POTATO CASSEROLE
GARLIC GREEN BEANS
DUTCH OVEN CHICKEN QUARTERS
Equipment
- dutch oven
Ingredients
- 4 chicken leg quarters
- 32 oz chicken broth
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 celery stalks
- 3 large carrots or 10 baby carrots
- 1 large white onion
- 4 tbsp kickin chicken seasoning
Instructions
- Season each chicken leg quarter with about 1 tablespoon of kickin chicken seasoning and rub it into the skin and the meat making sure to get the seasoning under the skin. Place back into tray or plate and let marinate while you prepare remaining ingredients.
- Prepare and Sauté the vegetables and make the broth that the chicken will cook in. Chop up a large yellow onion into half and then thin slices, and place aside. Then, chop 2 celery stalks into small pieces, and 2 to 3 carrots into slices or chunks. No need to be too precise about how you chop it's just going into the pot for flavor.
- Braise chicken leg quarters but first preheat your oven to 400°F.Heat your Dutch oven to high heat on the stovetop, then add in a drizzle of oil place chicken quarters skin side down, and braise until skin is golden and crisp. Set aside on a plate. Into the Dutch oven now on medium heat add in onion slices and sauté until caramelized. Then add in carrots and celery and sauté for about 3 minutes.
- Make the broth push aside all the vegetables and form a well in the middle of the sautéed vegetables, then pour in 1 cup of white wine to deglaze and let simmer into a reduction. The alcohol will evaporate and the flavor from the vegetables and the wine will create a flavorful broth for the chicken to cook in. Add the braised chicken quarters back into the vegetables making sure the vegetables are evenly distributed between each chicken quarter. Take some vegetables out onto a plate if that helps. Then pour in 32 oz (4 cups) chicken broth, it should cover the chicken.
- Bake chicken leg quarters: Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 30-40 minutes or until the meat is tender and falls off the bone. When ready to serve strain out some of the extras in the broth and pour the broth over the chicken and enjoy.
Video
Notes
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
-
- You can order the "kickin' chicken finger licking" seasoning on Amazon. You can also find it at Home Goods/ TJmaxx/ Marshall's sometimes. If you are unable to find it and your store doesn't have a similar paprika blend, you can substitute it for your favorite all-purpose seasoning.
-
- If you are worried about using wine while cooking you can substitute it for more chicken broth. Although there is nothing to worry about because no actual alcohol will be left in the sauce it will evaporate and it is used to enhance the flavor.
-
- Chicken quarters can also be substituted for bone-in chicken thighs. Resulting in very similar results flavorful and tender.
Nathan says
This is the kind of chicken dish that I'll never get tired of! Delicious results, super tender chicken and perfectly flavored. I'll definitely be making this again ASAP!
JULIE'S APRON says
Thank you Im so happy to hear!
Justine says
I can't believe how tender, juicy and flavorful these turned out! They were perfect!
JULIE'S APRON says
Yes, the flavor is incredible!
dana says
This is a great way to make chicken! Perfect for the chilly weather that is on its way. Will definitely be making it again. Loved the flavors.
JULIE'S APRON says
I know a comfort meal for sure.
Carrie Robinson says
This dinner idea is comfort food perfection! So perfect for a Sunday dinner. 🙂
JULIE'S APRON says
I think so too!
Sara Welch says
This was everything a gourmet meal should be and then some! Easy, hearty and flavorful; definitely, a new favorite recipe!
JULIE'S APRON says
Thank you I am glad you like it.
Karina says
I love any meal made in the Dutch oven and this chicken quarters looks like the perfect Fall dinner. Can't wait to make it.
JULIE'S APRON says
It's the best comfort food recipe! I'm excited for you to try it!
Christy says
Ordering Kickin' Chicken seasoning! Can't wait to try this recipe. I really need to get more recipes like this under my belt that use less expensive cuts of meat. Thanks for the inspo!
JULIE'S APRON says
You are welcome enjoy!
Tiffany says
The weather is cool here today and this looks like the perfect cozy meal to make for dinner!
JULIE'S APRON says
I agree!