How Long to Cook Chicken Legs in Oven at 350°F for Juicy, Tender Results

Chicken legs have tasty dark meat that doesn’t get enough attention. If you follow the right steps, baking chicken legs at 350°F will make them juicy, flavorful, and safe to eat.

When it comes to getting the best results, cooking chicken legs isn’t as simple as just popping them in the oven. Proper preparation and monitoring temperatures are key for leg quarters that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

In this complete guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to cook chicken legs in the oven at 350°F, including:

• Ideal internal temperature
• Visual cues for doneness
• Key preparation tips
• Recommended bake times
• How to adapt method for frozen chicken or boneless legs
• Troubleshooting common issues

And lots of helpful hints along the way to make sure you always have baked chicken legs that people want.

What is the Best Internal Temperature for Chicken Legs?

The most reliable indicator of doneness for chicken legs is the internal temperature.

Food safety experts and the USDA say that chicken needs to reach 165°F (74°C) inside to kill any bacteria that might be there.

However. when it comes to juicy. flavorful chicken legs I recommend removing them from the oven at

• 175°F (79°C) for bone-in chicken legs – The bones conduct heat, so bone-in legs benefit from the higher 175°F internal temperature. This ensures the meat near the bones cooks through without drying out.

• 170°F (77°C) for boneless chicken legs – Since there are no bones, boneless legs can be safely removed at a slightly lower temperature of 170°F.

Investing in a good instant-read meat thermometer and temping chicken legs in the thickest part is the best way to guarantee they’re fully cooked Never rely on time alone

How to Tell When Chicken Legs are Done by Looks

While temperature is most accurate, you can also use visual cues as doneness indicators:

• The skin should be deeply golden brown and crispy. If still pale and limp, they need more time.

• Prick a leg with a fork. If the juices run clear, they’re done. If pink or red tinged, continue cooking.

• The meat should appear opaque throughout with no traces of pink. The area near the bones is often naturally pinkish from myoglobin and does not indicate undercooking.

• The meat should feel firm with no jiggle when gently wobbled. Loose, jiggly meat means it needs more oven time.

Preparation Tips for Best Results

Proper preparation is key to perfectly baked chicken legs:

• Always thaw frozen chicken legs fully in the refrigerator before baking. Never bake straight from frozen.

• Pat the legs dry with paper towels. Drying the skin helps it get crispy in the oven.

• Season generously with salt, pepper and spices of choice. Chicken legs can handle bold flavors!

• Use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.

• Don’t overcrowd the pan. Too many legs steams rather than bakes the chicken.

• Use a wire rack to lift the legs off the pan, allowing air flow for even cooking and crispier skin.

How Long to Bake Chicken Legs at 350°F?

When baking bone-in, skin-on chicken legs at 350°F, the approximate baking time is:

• 50-60 minutes for 6-8 chicken legs

• 60-70 minutes for 8-10 chicken legs

However, always rely on temperature over time. Legs can vary in size so monitor with a meat thermometer and remove them as soon as they reach 175°F.

For boneless legs, check them around the 40 minute mark since they’ll bake faster.

Basting and Broiling for Extra Crispy Skin

For ultra crispy skin, brush the legs with melted butter or pan drippings about 15 minutes before the end of baking. The fat will help the skin get crispy and browned.

You can also broil the chicken legs for the last few minutes of cooking. Keep a close watch to avoid burning.

Oven Baked Chicken Legs from Frozen

To bake frozen chicken legs, thaw them completely first. Partially thawed or fully frozen legs may appear cooked on the outside but still be dangerously undercooked on the inside when you cut into them.

For food safety, thawing in the fridge overnight is best. Once thawed, dry the legs well and season. Add 15 minutes to the bake time.

Common Baking Issues and How to Avoid Them

Follow these troubleshooting tips for perfect baked chicken legs every time:

• Dry, overcooked chicken – Use a meat thermometer and don’t overbake. 175°F is ideal.

• Skin not crispy – Ensure legs are thoroughly patted dry before baking. Broil at end if needed.

• Undercooked chicken – Always thaw fully and use a thermometer to confirm 165°F minimum temp.

• Uneven cooking – Don’t overcrowd the pan and use a wire rack for air circulation.

• Rub burns and blackens – At 350°F, rubs with sugar can burn. Use glazes and sauces later in baking.

• Chicken sticks to pan – Line pan with parchment paper or foil for easy release.

Tips for Leftover Baked Chicken Legs

Leftover baked chicken legs keep well in the fridge:

• Store legs in an airtight container up to 3-4 days.

• Reheat to 165° in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop until hot and sizzling.

• Freeze baked chicken legs up to 3-4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if my oven runs hot or cold?

Use an oven thermometer to check the temperature. Adjust bake time up or down if it differs significantly from 350°F.

2. Can I season chicken legs with more than just salt and pepper?

Absolutely! Chicken legs pair well with all kinds of seasonings – try garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, jerk seasoning, or get creative with your own blends.

3. What temperature should I reheat leftover baked chicken legs to?

Reheat baked chicken legs to 165°F or hotter before eating to destroy any bacteria that may have developed.

4. Is it necessary to brine or marinate chicken legs before baking?

While not mandatory, brining or marinating can make the meat even juicier and more flavorful. Even 30 minutes can infuse great taste.

5. Which is better – baking sheet or casserole dish for chicken legs?

A baking sheet is ideal as it promotes browning and won’t steam the chicken. The wire rack lifts legs off pan for crisp skin.

Get Perfectly Baked Chicken Legs at 350°F Every Time

Cooking chicken legs in the oven at 350°F produces tender, juicy meat when done right. Follow these guidelines for temperature, technique, and prep for crave-worthy baked chicken legs.

Be sure to use a meat thermometer and avoid overcooking for the best results. Crispy, golden brown skin and moist, flavorful meat awaits! Now that you know exactly how long chicken legs take in a 350°F oven, you can bake them to perfection.