A Rare, Yet Memorable Recipe Using Chicken Quarters
We are always looking for new ways to transform chicken, and this recipe for chicken leg quarters with shallots topped with an olive salad is beyond. This is one of those recipes that is treasured and remade over and over again. It’s easy to throw together, but feels like an extra-special occasion when it’s made. This is the ultimate comfort meal that will have everyone at your table asking for seconds.
This Chicken Quarters Recipe is Sweet, Salty, and Full of Flavor
Chicken with shallots is an ideal combination, especially when cooked together. The sharpness of the shallots is undercut by the juices in the chicken, and cooking them together on the same baking sheet creates a classic, mind-blowing combination (honestly, our mouths are watering just thinking about it). But the showstopper here is the addition of our olive salad. Two types of olives—castlestravano and kalamata—along with capers, garlic, parsley, a little Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red wine vinegar and olive oil make the entire dish more than just your average chicken dinner.
You Might be Wondering: Are Chicken Thighs the Same As Quarters?
The short answer is sort of. The chicken quarter is one of the most underrated cuts of meat around, often overlooked by its popular counterparts the breast and the thigh. The name comes from the fact that each section comprises one whole quarter of the entire bird. Each leg quarter consists of the thigh, drumstick, and part of the back of the chicken making this cut a hearty amount of meat when served. It’s relatively easy to prepare, and baked chicken leg quarters are some of the most flavorful, tender cuts of chicken you can make. If you have a hard time finding chicken quarters all on their own, feel free to ask your butcher! Have them cut a whole chicken up into quarters for you to ease up on some of that preparation once you’re in your kitchen.
How Long Should You Cook Chicken Quarters?
Another reason we love this recipe so much is because the preparation is so minimal. Most of the magic happens when the flavors come together in the oven making it a truly hands off miracle meal. All it takes is setting the chicken leg quarters on a sheet pan surrounding the sliced shallots so that the shallots can soak up all the juices while baking. The shallots will become sweet and tender by the time the dish is done. To make sure your chicken comes out with a golden, crispy crust, it’s important to pat it dry before seasoning with olive oil and salt. Place it in the oven for about 35-40 minutes, and it will come out perfectly roasted and juicy every time!
The Finishing Touch? An Unbelievably Delicious Olive Salad
Olives are a tangy, briny host of flavor all on their own. We created this muffuletta-inspired addition to our recipe for chicken leg quarters, marrying the crispiness of the chicken and melt-in-your-mouth magic of the shallots. Muffuletta is not only a type of bread, but it is the namesake for one of New Orleans most famous sandwiches that is known for its olive salad spread. This olive salad is a nod to that, but also just simply one of the best things we’ve ever eaten. It will last up to a week in the fridge, but we know you’ll be eating it so much faster than that because it’s just that good.
Tools You’ll Need
Looking for More Chicken Recipes? We’ve Got You Covered.
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Time to Share This Recipe With Everyone You Love!
If you really want to show the people closest to you that you appreciate them, make them this recipe and thank us later. We can’t wait to see just how much they enjoy your meal! Once you make it, tag us on Instagram so we can see your creation using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!
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