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Braised chicken quarter on a plate with mashed potatoes.
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5 from 1 vote

Braised Chicken Legs

Tender & juicy braised chicken quarters, flavored with zesty lemon & garlic, ideal for casual dinners or special occasions.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Mariam Ezzeddine

Ingredients

  • 4 whole chicken leg quarters with skin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 medium shallot chopped
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium lemon sliced
  • 10-15 whole garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Clean and pat dry the chicken leg quarters with a kitchen towel and set them aside.
  • Season the chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Heat an oven-proof skillet on a medium flame, add olive oil, and once the oil is heated sear the chicken leg quarters on both sides for 5-6 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
  • To the same skillet add butter, once the butter is melted add the chopped shallots and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Stir in the chicken broth and check for seasonings and allow the chicken broth to simmer for a couple of minutes.
  • Transfer the chicken back to the skillet and arrange the garlic cloves, lemon slices, fresh thyme over and bake the chicken for 20 - 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Once done, serve the chicken over mashed potatoes and greens to enjoy.

Notes

  • Opt for bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces such as leg quarters, thighs or drumsticks.
  • Before braising, sear the chicken pieces in a hot skillet with a little oil. This step adds depth of flavor and enhances the overall taste of the dish.
  • Simmer gently; do not let it boil vigorously to maintain tenderness.
  • Use fresh lemon slices rather than adding lemon juice. The whole lemon imparts flavor. 

Nutrition

Calories: 439kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 423mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 232IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg