Air fried chicken leg quarters have approximately 535 calories with skin, and 412 calories without skin. Ingredients like added oil, flour, sauces and seasonings add additional calories to air fryer chicken leg quarters. Learn to air fry keto chicken leg quarters (thigh and drumstick, AKA chicken Maryland) with this easy and delicious recipe. You’ll love this quick method to make healthy chicken leg quarters with crispy skin, no flour needed!
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📋 Air Fried Chicken Leg Quarter Calories
How many calories are in a chicken leg quarter? One homemade air fried chicken leg provides 535 calories, 0 grams net carbs, and 41 grams protein (per Cronometer). This calculation is for a 12-ounce (340g) chicken leg with skin and subtracts the weight of the bone, but not the fat lost while air frying.
The above nutrition information is for one plain chicken leg quarter (dark meat). It does not include added oil, breading, or high calorie seasonings you may add to your chicken.
How many calories in air fryer chicken drumstick with skin? One air fried chicken drumstick with skin has approximately 214 calories. This is for a 133 gram portion (per Cronometer).
How many calories in air fryer chicken leg without skin?
One air fried chicken leg quarter without skin provides about 412 calories (per Cronometer). This calculation is for a plain 12-ounce (340g) chicken thigh and drumstick (skin removed after cooking) and subtracts the weight of the bone.
What are the air fried chicken leg calories with flour?
The calories in an air fryer chicken leg with flour depends on the specific recipe. In general, add 28 calories for each tablespoon of flour you add to one serving of chicken. So, a chicken leg and thigh dusted with one tablespoon of flour provides about 563 calories.
Add 40 calories for each tablespoon of oil you add to one serving of chicken. I usually consider the calories in no sugar herb seasonings or a very quick spritz of oil spray to be negligible.
How many carbs in a leg quarter?
One plain chicken leg quarter has 0 grams carbohydrates. Ingredients that add carbs include flour (such as in breading or batter), sugary seasonings, and sugary sauces (e.g., BBQ sauce or ketchup).
⭐ How to Make Keto Chicken Leg Quarters
To make my keto chicken leg quarters air fryer recipe, all you need are chicken legs, cooking spray, and salt and pepper (or your favorite seasoning).
Here are the step-by-step directions to make my keto chicken quarters recipe:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F (200C) for 5 minutes. Spray the chicken leg quarter with spray oil, and season to your liking on both sides. (Here is my favorite keto BBQ seasoning.)
- Place the chicken leg in the air fryer basket skin side down. (Don’t stack or overcrowd the chicken! It's likely you’ll only be able to cook 1-2 pieces at a time.) Air fry for 20-25 minutes at 400F (200C).
- Carefully flip the chicken over, season a bit more (if desired), and air fry 5-10 more minutes at 400F (200C). Chicken that is fully cooked must reach a minimum safe internal temperature of 165F (74C) using a meat thermometer. Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to give it time to fully redistribute the moisture for tender, juicy flavor.
Get a printable recipe card below!
Whole chicken leg quarters are simply chicken thighs with drumsticks attached. They’re one of the cheapest cuts of chicken you can buy- often only around $1-1.50 per pound. Considering that boneless, skinless chicken breasts typically run $5-6 per pound, the legs are quite a deal.
You can make this chicken leg quarter air fryer recipe in a Ninja Foodi, Philips, Power Air Fryer, Cosori, Nuwave, Instant Vortex, Cuisinart, etc. I’ve noticed the chicken tends to cook a little faster in smaller air fryers. Be sure to keep a close eye on the chicken the first time you make this recipe so you can adjust cooking times as needed.
⏲️ Keto Chicken Leg Quarters Cooking Time and Temperature
How long do chicken leg quarters go in the air fryer? Large chicken legs take about 28 minutes total in an air fryer preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C). I tested this recipe in two air fryers, and both worked perfectly air frying the chicken for 23 minutes, then flipping and air frying for 5 minutes more.
🍗 What to Serve with Chicken Legs
Here are a few side dish ideas for air fried chicken leg quarters:
- Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables
- Air Fryer Jicama Fries
- Cloud Bread with Greek Yogurt
- Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
- Keto Fried Green Beans
Pasta, rice, and potatoes are some other side dishes that are great with chicken if you’re not on a low carb diet.
📖 Recipe
Watch How to Make It!
Air Fried Chicken Leg Quarter (Calories + Keto Air Fryer Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 chicken leg quarter, bone-in, skin on about 12 ounces (340g)
- seasoning to taste (I recommend this keto BBQ seasoning)
- cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Spray the chicken leg quarter with spray oil, and season to your liking on both sides.
- Place the chicken leg in the air fryer basket skin side down. Air fry for 20-25 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Carefully flip the chicken over, season a bit more (if desired), and air fry 5-10 more minutes at 400°F (200°C). Chicken that is fully cooked must reach a minimum safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer. Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
This is a level 2 recipe (transition or weight maintenance). If you are on a very low carb diet, this chicken recipe will be a great fit. Each chicken leg provides 0 grams of net carbs per serving, perfect for most keto diets. Depending on the seasoning you use, it’s also naturally gluten free. We’re air frying chicken, not deep frying it. That means you’re getting crispy chicken skin and moist, tender chicken with very little added oil. Keep in mind this recipe makes a large portion, so cut it in half if needed. The nutrition information provided is a calorie and nutrient overestimate that does not subtract the cooking loss. (Fat does drip off of the chicken when you cook it in an air fryer.) If you are tracking calories and/or macros, keep in mind that you are overestimating portions if you use raw meat and poultry weights for calculations. That issue aside, some will want to remove the skin from the chicken to reduce the fat and calories in this dish. Removing the skin before air frying is harder than peeling it off after it cooks. Also, cooking the chicken with the skin on provides more flavor. The skin also helps to preserve more moisture; your chicken is more likely to dry out when air fried without the skin. Chicken leg quarters around here are always sold with the skin on. If anyone tries air frying a skinless chicken leg quarter, I’d love to know how it went! Nutrition information is for one serving of the recipe (one chicken leg quarter) and may vary depending on the size of the chicken leg and seasonings used.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much.
Nutrition
FAQs
How to store air fryer chicken quarters leftovers?
Keep leftover air fryer chicken legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze chicken legs, but I recommend removing the skin first, as it won't remain crisp in the freezer.
Can you make air fryer breaded chicken leg quarters?
Yes, you can air fry breaded chicken leg quarters using whole grain bread crumbs! Use seasoned pork panko or almond flour for a keto alternative. I’ve got a bunch of different breaded chicken air fryer recipes for you in the next section.
Can you stack chicken legs in an air fryer?
For the best results, you should air fry chicken legs in a single layer. This allows the air to more freely circulate in the air fryer, allowing the chicken skin to properly crisp up.
What are some seasonings for chicken leg quarters?
Garlic powder, onion powder, jerk seasoning, Italian seasoning, chili powder, curry powder, smoked paprika, BBQ rubs, salt and black pepper are all great on air fryer chicken drumsticks and legs. Chicken is fairly neutral, so feel free to use it as a canvas for your favorite spices and flavors!
Alternatively, here’s a gluten free, low carb, and keto mustard topping for chicken leg quarters:
- 1 tablespoon grainy mustard (unsweetened, NOT honey mustard)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
- ½ clove garlic, finely chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon each dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried sage
- salt and pepper, to taste
Mix ingredients together, brush or spread on the chicken leg after flipping (for last 5-10 minutes of cooking). You could also use your favorite BBQ sauce as a topping (use a low carb variety for keto).
👩🏻🍳 Other Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Want more easy chicken air fryer recipes? I’ve got you! Check these out:
- Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel (Keto, Low Carb)
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast
- Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
- Ninja Foodi Breaded Chicken Breast
- Keto Buffalo Chicken Wings
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Hello! I'm Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create high quality content for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
Terrified Amateur says
Enthusiasm for the concept, Summer, which you look to have executed flawlessly. I once tried something somewhat similar, though oven-baked, not air-fried. Panko, minced oregano and dijon. Thus, your latest entry came with the intrigue already loaded.
Do you have any difficulty finding whole chicken legs? They once were common around here, but a couple years ago they ceased being available at large, and were attainable only at the butcher's counter, and even then, not always.
The butchers have been largely absent ever since the pandemic started, and thus, I haven't seen whole leg quarters since February, I think. Thanks for taking what has been for me a rare find lately, and making a treat of it. As usual!
Summer Yule says
The legs are harder to find, that’s why I ended up with a mix that included drumsticks! I’d say chicken legs were the most common part of the chicken we’d have while I was growing up. Where’d they go?
LetsCurry says
Summer
Thanks for the air fryer series. These chicken legs and drumsticks look so tender and I loved the flavours of herbs and the mustard that you have used.
Summer Yule says
Thank you so much, Hasin! I really liked how easy this recipe was to put together.