How long should you cook chicken legs in the oven

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Cooking Chicken Legs With Foil

Step 2: Marinate The Meat

Depending on your recipes or your preference, marinate the chicken legs with seasonings. Chicken can be marinated and kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days at most. But if you keep it at room temperature, 2 hours is the maximum time.

Step 3: Prepare The Oven

Preheat the oven for about 10 minutes until it reaches 350℉. While you wait for the oven to heat up, place your chicken on the baking sheet evenly.

In case your recipe does not require you to marinate the meat long, then you can preheat the oven while marinating the meat to save time.

Step 4: Bake The Chicken For A Suitable Amount Of Time

Put the baking sheet with chicken into the oven, and close the door firmly. And depending on the type of meat, let it be cooked for enough time.

Fresh and thawed chicken legs or thighs need 40 to 50 minutes to cook. On the other hand, fresh and thawed chicken drumsticks require 35 to 45 minutes in the oven. For boneless chicken thighs, you need to cook them for 20 to 30 minutes.

Chicken wrapped in foil can take from 5 to 7 minutes longer to get done, while frozen chicken increases cooking time by a half.

Step 5: Check If The Meat Is Done

After you take the meat out of the oven, you’d better use the food thermometer to check the internal temperature. If it reaches 165℉, then your meat is good.

But, with chicken legs, 175℉ or 185℉ is the preferred mark because they will have better texture and flavor.

Step 6: Let The Meat Rest

How long should you cook chicken legs in the oven
Cooking tasty chicken legs requires care and attention.

Let the meat sit for up to 10 minutes before serving. If you do not eat it instantly, you can keep the meat warm in the oven for no more than 1 hour.

Remember that cooked chicken can’t sit outside for long. Therefore, you should put it in the refrigerator unless you plan to serve it soon.

How To Tell If Your Chicken Legs Are Well-Cooked

How long should you cook chicken legs in the oven
You should check if your meat is done, or you can be sick.

After taking the chicken out of the oven, you need to check whether it is fully cooked or not. You can use either way below.

The meat is done when the inner temperature reaches at least 165℉. So, use the food thermometer for accurate checking. Or you can use a knife to cut the meat until you see the bone. If the juice is clear, your meat is done.

Wait, the meat is still pink? Don’t panic, here is the truth about that hue. Even safely-cooked chicken legs can sometimes have a pinkish tinge around the joints or bones.

The reason is that myoglobin in the muscle tissues is oxidized when cooking, causing the heme iron component to convert and creating that pink color. Thus, that pink color does not mean your poultry meat is undercooked.

Here is how you should check if the chicken is well-done.

Watch this video: Know When Chicken Is Done

Some Handy Tips To Cook Chicken In Oven

In this section, I am going to guide you through some useful tips for cooking chicken in the oven. I am sure they will ease your cooking and guarantee you delicious chicken meat.

Give Your Meat Some Brine

How long should you cook chicken legs in the oven
Don’t forget to brine your chicken to keep its moisture.

When you cook chicken in the oven, you do not want it to be too dry. A suitable amount of brine will help you keep the meat moist.

Brine is the mixture of cold water and salt, though some prefer to add sugar, honey, or herbs. To make a brine, you need to dissolve salt in water. Then, submerge your chicken in the brine, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.

However, with chicken legs, you’d better go for dry brine because it won’t soften the skin. So, what you need to do is rub ½ tablespoon of salt per side. Then refrigerate the meat for 30 to 60 minutes.

Marinate The Chicken Well

Prepare the marinade and seasonings based on your recipes. A basic marinade recipe includes olive oil, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, among other things. You should rub the marinade on all sides of the meat evenly.

You can also try putting all of the seasonings and the meat into a resealable bag, then toss until the marinade coats the chicken.

After seasonings, you can start baking the meat instantly. However, depending on which recipe you use, let your chicken have time to absorb the seasonings well. Chicken can be marinated in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days, though the ideal time is about 12 – 24 hours.

But, you can only marinate the meat for up to 2 hours at room temperature. Do not risk keeping it longer because bacteria can grow quickly in the ‘danger zone’ (40℉ – 140℉).

Enrich The Chicken Legs With Herbs

Baking chicken with herbs gives your meat a surprisingly amazing smell. You can consider adding some herbs when you marinate the meat.

People normally prefer dried herbs rather than fresh herbs. For 1 lb chicken legs, you should add about ¼ to ½ teaspoon of dried herbs since they usually have strong flavors.

But if fresh herbs are more accessible to you, go for them. Their freshness can add a nice touch to your chicken. Anyway, you need to increase the amount by 3 times compared to dried herbs. 

Here are some common herbs to bake with chicken:

  • Rosemary
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Tarragon
  • Parsley

Line The Baking Pan With Aluminum Foil/ Parchment Paper

How long should you cook chicken legs in the oven
Lining parchment paper on the baking pan is a good idea.

Instead of placing the chicken right on the baking pan, you can line it with foil first. This will avoid meat sticking on the pan and help with cleaning up later.

Just a reminder that the food can stick to the foil, so you may need to spray non-stick cooking spray on it. But, parchment paper is non-stick, so you do not need to spray anything if you use it.

Use Baking Rack

How long should you cook chicken legs in the oven
The baking rack helps bake chicken more thoroughly.

One more tip is to use a baking rack. You place the rack on the pan first before putting chicken meat on the rack. A baking rack boosts the air circulation, so your meat is cooked more evenly.

Moreover, the baking rack is one of the best methods to avoid overbaking. If you just place the food on the baking dish, the heated dish surface will keep cooking the food even after taking it out of the oven. That may result in overbaking for the bottom layer.

On the other hand, the air can reach the bottom of the rack easily, which stops the heat from overdoing the food.

Yummy Chicken Leg Recipes You Want To Try

Have you decided which recipes to cook your chicken legs with? Before making up your mind, why don’t you check out these amazing chicken legs recipes?

Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Legs

This is a simple but delicious recipe you should not miss. Just put all of the ingredients in a zip bag to marinade well. Then bake it and you have excellent oven-baked chicken legs. The flavor will not let you down.

This is a good and simple recipe for chicken drumsticks.

Watch this video: Easy Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Chicken Legs With Garlic And Potatoes

Imagine a combination of chicken legs, fresh garlic, and tender potatoes; don’t you want to try it out now? It is a wonderful chicken recipe to serve in the summer. This dish is easy to cook and perfect for dinner.

Honey Baked Drumsticks

Honey with chicken, why not? Honey gives your drumsticks a beautiful brown color and sweet flavor. Another plus is the marinating time in this recipe is flexibility. You can serve this dish with many side dishes, from rice to potato salad.

Lemon Garlic Chicken Drumsticks

Treat your tastebuds with this recipe. Combining lemon, garlic and chicken just brings the flavor to another level. They also provide you with protein and vitamin C. So, the recipe is worth giving a try.

FAQs

Questions about food are unlimited. Keep asking because they will help you find out the best ways to enjoy your meals. Here are some questions about chicken legs you might be curious about.

What are some suitable side dishes to eat with chicken legs?

It depends on your chicken legs recipe to pick the best side dishes. However, some tasty ones you can try are honey roasted carrot, roasted cauliflower, and potato salad.

Are chicken legs the same as drumsticks?

Some people may confuse chicken legs with drumsticks. But actually, chicken legs contain both thighs and drumsticks.

Is it better to bake chicken legs at 350℉ than at 400℉?

Both 350℉ and 400℉ are suitable temperatures to cook chicken. But most people prefer 400℉ since the cooking time is shorter and the meat may be crispier. The chicken may not be as evenly cooked, though.

Does baking powder make chicken skin crispy?

Yes, it does. When you marinate the meat, sprinkle some baking powder on the skin. It will make chicken skin crispier and crunchier.

How long does it take to bake chicken with bone at 350℉?

Depending on the thickness of the meat, it normally takes 45 – 50 minutes to bake bone-in chicken at 350℉.

Which material is better for a chicken baking dish: glass or metal?

Both are common materials for baking dishes. But for chicken, metal will be better. Since metal heats up faster than glass, it can make chicken skin crispier. Also, be aware that glass dishes only have a maximum of 425℉.

Now You Know How To Cook Chicken Legs In Oven

I think now you are ready to cook your best chicken legs in the oven. Timing how long to have your meat done at 350℉ is no longer a challenge. You have also learned some tips to level up your chicken legs dishes and things to be aware of.

If you find this article useful, I suggest you share it with your friends and family. If you have any other useful tips, do not hesitate to leave a comment. I would love to read your opinion and experience. Thank you and see you soon!

How Long To Cook Chicken Legs In Oven At 350℉

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Course: Main CourseCuisine: American

Total time

1

hour 

20

minutes

Who doesn’t love flavorful chicken legs? With just some simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can have delicious chicken legs ready for your next dinner night.

Ingredients

  • 6 6 chicken legs

  • 0.25 teaspoon 0.25 garlic powder

  • 0.25 teaspoon 0.25 onion powder

  • 0.5 teaspoon 0.5 paprika

  • 0.5 teaspoon 0.5 oregano

  • 2 tablespoons 2 olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon 1 of minced garlic

  • 0.25 cup 0.25 soy sauce

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Put the spices and chicken legs in a resealable bag. Close the bag and shake to coat the chicken evenly.
  • Refrigerate the seasoned chicken legs for at least 30 minutes (ideally 2 hours).
  • Place the legs on a baking sheet. Make sure that there’s enough space (about 1 inch) between the pieces.
  • Bake the chicken uncovered for 35 minutes or until their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
  • Serve immediately or allow to rest for about 5 minutes.

Notes

  • You can add some herbs, such as rosemary, cilantro, dill, parsley, and tarragon, to the marinade to give more flavors.
  • If you have a baking rack, you can use it to cook the chicken more evenly.
  • You can marinade the legs in advance for up to 2 days.

Nutrition Facts

6 servings per container


  • Amount Per ServingCalories312
  • % Daily Value *
  • Total Fat 20g 31%
    • Saturated Fat 4.9g 25%
  • Cholesterol 105mg 35%
  • Sodium 699mg 30%
  • Potassium 290mg 9%
  • Total Carbohydrate 1.3g 1%
    • Dietary Fiber 0.3g 2%
    • Sugars 0.3g
  • Protein 30.4g 61%

  • Calcium 19%
  • Iron 2%

* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

How Long To Cook Chicken Legs In Oven At 350

References

  1. Fox News. 2020. Is chicken thigh fat good for you?
  2. fsis.usda.gov. 2019. Chicken from Farm to Table.
  3. Ask.usda.gov. 2019. Can you cook meat or poultry from the frozen state?

Table of Contents

  • Why Should You Cook Chicken Legs In Oven At 350℉ (177℃)?
  • How Long To Cook Chicken Legs In Oven At 350℉
  • Check Out The Best Way To Cook Chicken Legs In Oven At 350
  • How To Tell If Your Chicken Legs Are Well-Cooked
  • Some Handy Tips To Cook Chicken In Oven
  • Yummy Chicken Leg Recipes You Want To Try
  • FAQs
  • Now You Know How To Cook Chicken Legs In Oven
  • How Long To Cook Chicken Legs In Oven At 350℉
  • Nutrition Facts
  • References

How long does it take for drumsticks to cook in the oven?

How long does it take for drumsticks to cook in the oven? Typically it takes around 40-45 minutes to bake medium drumsticks at 400°F, although if your oven cooks hot or the drumsticks are on the smaller side they might be done sooner than that.

Is it better to bake chicken legs at 350 or 400?

Option #1: Bake chicken legs at a higher temperature – between 400 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. A lower temp like 350 degrees Fahrenheit won't result in crispy skin, but it will still be juicy and delicious.

How long does it take to cook chicken legs in the oven at 350?

Chicken thighs and legs should have an internal temperature of 175°F when fully cooked..
Oven temperature at 350°F: Bake chicken uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes..
Oven temperature at 375°F: Bake chicken uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes..
Oven temperature at 400°F: Bake chicken uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes..

How long does it take chicken legs to cook in the oven at 400 degrees?

In a 400 degree oven baked chicken drumsticks take about 35 to 45 minutes to cook through depending on their size. Here's the how to for this recipe: Move oven rack up one level from center and preheat oven to 400 degrees.