Chicken legs and thighs are a tasty, versatile, and inexpensive meal option. They can be cooked in a variety of ways, but one of the most popular methods is oven-baking, which results in a moist, juicy interior and a crisp, flavourful outer crust. The cooking time will depend on the number of chicken pieces you are preparing and the temperature of your oven. For example, at 350°F, four chicken thighs and legs should be baked for 45 to 60 minutes. At 400°F, the cooking time would be reduced to 35 to 40 minutes.
What You'll Learn
Bake at 375°F for 45-60 minutes
Baking chicken thighs is a simple process that yields delicious results. Here's a detailed guide on baking four chicken thighs with legs at 375°F for 45-60 minutes:
Preparation
Before baking, preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet or a baking dish with foil for easy cleanup. You can also use a baking rack placed on top of the baking sheet to catch the drippings.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step helps the chicken brown and crisp up nicely. Place the chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet or dish, skin side up.
Seasoning
Drizzle olive oil over the chicken thighs and use a brush or your hands to coat them evenly. The oil helps the seasoning stick to the skin and promotes crispiness.
For seasoning, you can use a blend of spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can make your own blend or use a premade chicken seasoning. Be generous with the seasoning to infuse the chicken with flavour.
Baking
Once the chicken thighs are prepared and seasoned, place them in the preheated oven. Bake for 45-60 minutes at 375°F. The baking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken thighs, so keep an eye on them.
The goal is to reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the meat. Using a meat thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, to check the temperature.
Finishing Touches
If you want the skin to be extra crispy, you can broil the chicken thighs for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on them to ensure the skin doesn't burn.
Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and flavourful meat.
Tips
- Bone-in chicken thighs take longer to cook than boneless thighs due to the presence of the bone. They also tend to be more flavorful and juicy.
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
- If you're baking bone-in chicken thighs, arranging them with the skin side up helps the skin crisp up and turn golden brown.
- Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving helps redistribute the juices, resulting in juicy and tasty chicken.
Baking chicken thighs at 375°F for 45-60 minutes is a great way to achieve delicious, crispy skin and tender meat. Enjoy your perfectly baked chicken thighs!
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Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes
Baking chicken thighs in the oven is a simple and tasty way to prepare this cut of meat. Chicken thighs are a budget-friendly, delicious, and versatile option for a weeknight dinner.
To bake four chicken thighs and legs in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F. While the oven is preheating, prepare the chicken by patting the thighs and legs dry with paper towels. You can use bone-in or boneless chicken, but bone-in chicken will result in juicier meat.
Next, place the chicken in a large bowl and toss with olive oil and your desired seasoning mix. You can use a simple blend of dried herbs and spices like salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. You can also add a dash of cayenne pepper for a little heat. Make sure to coat the chicken evenly with the oil and seasoning mix.
After the chicken is prepared, cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray. Place the chicken on the baking sheet, making sure the skin side is up.
Finally, place the chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, being careful to not touch the bone, as this can lead to an inaccurate reading.
Baking the chicken thighs and legs at 350°F for 45-60 minutes will result in juicy and tender meat with a crispy skin. Enjoy your delicious and perfectly baked chicken!
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Bake at 400°F for 35-45 minutes
To bake four chicken thighs with legs, it is recommended that you preheat your oven to 400°F. While the oven is warming up, you can prepare the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels and applying olive oil and seasoning. Place the chicken on a baking sheet or roasting pan, ensuring they are not overlapping, and put them in the oven.
Baking the chicken at this temperature for 35-45 minutes will ensure the meat is cooked through and give you the desired crispy skin. Bone-in chicken thighs are very hard to overcook, and the higher temperature will help you achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
Chicken is typically considered safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F, but for optimal results, you may want to cook the chicken to 180-200°F. This higher temperature will break down the fat and connective tissue, making the meat even more tender and juicy.
If you want to add an extra crisp to the skin, you can broil it for 2-3 minutes after baking.
Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
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Bake at 425°F for 25-40 minutes
To bake four chicken thighs and legs, preheat your oven to 425°F. While the oven is preheating, prepare the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels and trimming off any loose skin and excess fat. Place the chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet or dish and season generously with salt, pepper, and any other spices or herbs of your choice.
Once the oven has preheated, place the chicken in the oven and bake for 25-40 minutes. The exact baking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, so it's important to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, but for optimal tenderness, you can cook it to an internal temperature of 185°F.
Keep in mind that bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and legs will take longer to cook than boneless, skinless chicken pieces. Additionally, if you're using a convection oven, the cooking time may be slightly shorter, so adjust the baking time accordingly.
When the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious and perfectly baked chicken thighs and legs!
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Bake at 450°F for 20-30 minutes
To bake four chicken thighs with legs, preheat your oven to 450°F. While the oven is preheating, prepare the chicken by patting the thighs dry with paper towels and placing them in a bowl. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
Once the oven has preheated, place the chicken thighs on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Bake the chicken for 20-30 minutes, or until the juices run clear. The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, which can be measured with a meat thermometer.
Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken thighs. Larger thighs may require a longer cooking time, while boneless skinless chicken thighs will require less time.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal temperature is between 375-425°F.
Bake for 35-55 minutes at 375°F, 40-45 minutes at 400°F, or 25-35 minutes at 425°F.
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165-175°F. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
You can use a variety of seasonings, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne powder, and black pepper.