This study was conducted to investigate the effect of quercetin on the triglyceride (TG) content through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a (PPARa) signalling pathway in broiler hepatocytes. The trial included the following five groups: control, DMSO control, 5 mg/L quercetin, 10 mg/L quercetin and 20 mg/L quercetin. Compared with the control group, the PPARa protein content was significantly increased at 24 h in the groups that received quercetin at 5, 10 and 20 mg/L (p < 0.05), whereas the PPARa mRNA expression was significantly increased at 24, 48 and 72 h (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, the content of the long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), liver fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) and TG in the 5-, 10-and 20-mg/L quercetin group was significantly increased at 24, 48 and 72 h (p < 0.05). Moreover, the L-FABP and ApoA1 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased at 24, 48 and 72 h (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, the ApoC3 protein content in the 5-mg/L quercetin group was significantly decreased at 72 h (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) contents in the 5-and 20-mg/L quercetin groups were significantly decreased at 72 h (p < 0.05). In conclusion, quercetin enhanced lipid transportation and peroxidase b-oxidation regulated by PPARa and promoted lipid decomposition regulated by PPARa, but this did not occur in a dose-dependent or time-dependent manner. Therefore, quercetin decreased the TG content in broiler hepatocytes by promoting PPARa-regulated lipid decomposition, thereby reducing lipid deposition in broilers.