Sometimes less is more and simple is so much better than complicated. Well, that’s this here tasty recipe for Oven- Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters with Cheesy Mashed Potatoes. It may be simple and easy, but it definitely hits- the- spot for a dee-lish-us family dinner! Enjoy!
Easy Oven-Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters with Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Recipe by: Bobbi Jo Lathan
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Southern
PREP TIME
10 mins
COOK TIME
75 mins
TOTAL TIME
1 hour 25 mins
INGREDIENTS
For Chicken:
4 chicken leg quarters (tail removed if still attached)
1 teaspoon each salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika
¾ stick of butter
For Potatoes:
4 Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and quartered)
½ stick butter
3 ounces of cream cheese (softened)
⅓ cup evaporated milk (you can add a little more if you like them fluffier)
1 teaspoon each of salt and freshly ground black pepper (more or less to your taste)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup grated white cheddar cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
For the Chicken Leg Quarters:
Preheat your oven to 350°. Wash and pat dry your leg quarters. Then, lay the quarters in your large baking pan.
Get out a little bowl and add the salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Stir to blend.
Sprinkle both sides of your leg quarters with the spice mixture. Then, lay the quarters, bone-side down into the roasting pan, cut the butter into pats and place atop each quarter. If you need more butter, no problem, add away. Get out your measuring cup and pour about ⅓ cup of water in the bottom of the pan.
Place the chicken into your preheated oven and bake uncovered for 50-55 minutes. After the first 30 minutes, open the oven and baste the chicken with the juices in the pan. If there are not many juices (as everyone’s oven cooks differently) you can add a few more pats of butter atop the leg quarters and place it back into the oven to finish baking. After 50 minutes, if your chicken isn’t browned enough, just turn your oven up to 400° for the last 5 minutes until it is a nice crispy golden brown color.
For Potatoes:
Cover your quartered potatoes in water, turn the heat up to high heat. Once it comes to a boil, then turn the heat down to medium and cook 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft.
Once the potatoes are done, place a colander in your sink and drain the water from the potatoes. Then, place the drained potatoes back into the pot and add the butter and cream cheese, and mash with a masher until the butter is incorporated. While still hot, add the evaporated milk, a little at a time, stirring or whisking the milk into the potatoes. Lastly, add the salt and pepper and garlic powder along with the white cheddar cheese and whisk until the cheese has blended into the potatoes.
Now, serve up those tasty leg quarters alongside the cheesy mashed potatoes, and a little green salad, some Pinot Grigio, and enjoy your simple, and delicious dinner!