Lime & Butter Chicken Leg Quarters

Today, we’re making Lime & Butter Chicken Leg Quarters. If you’ve never tried this recipe before, you’re in for a treat. Chicken leg quarters are considered a prized cut in many Asian countries. With tender textures and juicy flavours, this recipe hits the spot in so many ways. Did you know that the chicken leg quarter consists of both the thigh and the drumstick?

Many people from around the world prefer chicken leg quarters over chicken breast. It has more connective tissue and fat. Additionally, it is richer and more luxurious in taste than other parts of the chicken. This unique cut of chicken has more B vitamins than regular white meat, and consuming it is also beneficial for your nervous system.

When you cook chicken leg quarters with the skin on, they tend to crisp up, and the thighs and drumsticks retain their moisture, thus enhancing their flavour. A famous chicken leg quarters recipe is Chicken Adobo from Filipino cuisine.

Ingredients

Chicken Leg Quarters, Paprika powder, Lime juice, Salt, Date Syrup, Butter.

We’re grilling up chicken leg quarters that are medium to large in size. The cooking process will reduce the size of the chicken leg quarters by 1/3rd. This will result in a crispy skin as well as a succulent chicken.

Paprika powder adds a touch of heat, you can substitute with chili powder or cayenne pepper. Lime juice is practically the star of the show, it adds a burst of citrus flavours that make the Chicken Leg quarters stand out in a very unique way.

Date syrup is the wild card in this recipe, you may have never heard of it. This syrup is popular in the Middle East, it is made with real dates and typically has no added sugar, excess for the natural ones provided by the dates. You can find date syrup in many Middle Eastern supermarkets, and it is also available online. A great substitute for the Date syrup would be Honey, Maple syrup or Pomegranate syrup. Butter along with the date syrup and the butter will take this recipe to the next level. The flavours are very unusual and quite addictive. Lime and Butter Chicken Quarters performed exceptionally well when it comes to sensational flavours.

Instructions

Rinse the chicken and pat them dry. Slice the top of the chicken leg quarters with a knife, this will help the flavours to penetrate the flesh of the chicken. Preheat the grill pan on medium low heat. Slice the limes.

Add Butter onto the grill pan. Place the chicken quarters on the pan on the skin side first, add a gentle shake of salt. Grill the chicken for 4 minutes or until the skin becomes brown. Flip the chicken and sprinkle a pinch of salt. Add more oil and butter if necessary. Grill for another 4 minutes. Repeat this process three times without adding more salt. The Chicken will take 12 minutes per side to ensure that it is properly cooked.

Press down the parts to evenly brown them. When you grill the chicken for a few more minutes on each side, it increases the flavour and helps create a delicious brown crust. This is a powerful technique, especially when cooking the chicken on the stove-top.

When you press down on the chicken with tongs, it ensures that the surface of the chicken is in contact with the hot pan. During this process, make sure to watch the chicken carefully, avoid burning the skin.

During this step, it is essential that the chicken has no raw spots. The skin should have a deep brown color. You may notice that some fat is rendering out, this is a very good sign.

While the Chicken is grilling, squeeze the juice of the limes into a bowl. Add paprika powder and date syrup to the bowl. Pour the marinade onto the chicken leg quarters and flip the chicken to ensure that the surface of the meat is in contact with the citrusy marinade. After two minutes, remove the chicken leg quarters onto a plate. Let it rest for two minutes and serve.

What to Serve with Chicken Leg Quarters?

These Chicken Leg Quarters have a touch of Arabic culture and Latin American culture, it is a fusion recipe that will pair with side-dishes from both cultures. Think of fresh and vibrant flavours that are perfect for a warm afternoon or a cool night. You can serve this dish with a Tomato Salsa, Rocket & Red Pepper salad would also be phenomenal with this dish as it uses a tangy Italian salad dressing. This creamy corn salad is also a winner when it comes to imparting incredible flavours into this meal.

How to Store Chicken Leg Quarters?

Store the chicken leg quarters in a Tupperware in the fridge. Eat within two to three days. Freezing will ensure that you have access to quick and easy protein for up to three months. Defrost on counter-top or in the oven.