Beginner's Guide: How Long to Cook Chicken Legs in Oven at 375
If you want to bake delicious chicken legs in an oven at 375 degrees, time is very crucial. Now I will tell you the factors that affect the cooking time and how to adjust it so that the chicken legs can be baked extremely well every time.
How long to cook chicken legs in the oven at 375°F?
Baking chicken legs in an oven at 375°F (about 190°C) takes approximately 40 minutes.
However, the size of each chicken leg is different. Some have had the bones removed. Bone-in chicken legs take longer. If the chicken legs are large, it may take 45 to 50 minutes. For smaller ones, 35 to 40 minutes may be sufficient.
To ensure that the chicken is fully cooked and still juicy, it is best to use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part and don't touch the bones. When the temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), the chicken legs are cooked.
During baking, turn the chicken legs over about every 20 minutes so that the color can be evenly baked. If the skin of the chicken legs becomes too dark, cover it loosely with aluminum foil. After baking, let the chicken legs sit for 3 to 5 minutes before eating. In this way, the meat juice can be evenly distributed and the taste will be better.
What is the best temperature to cook drumsticks in the oven?
375°F(190°C)：This is a commonly used temperature. Chicken legs can be baked in 30 to 45 minutes. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The chicken is fully cooked and the skin is not easily burned too quickly.
400°F(204°C)：If you want to bake quickly and have a crispier skin, you can choose this temperature. The baking time is about 25 to 35 minutes.
350°F(175°C)：If you like to bake slowly to make the chicken juicier, use this temperature. However, it takes 45 to 60 minutes.
425°F(218°C)：This high temperature is suitable for quick baking. It can be completed in 20 to 30 minutes. But you need to watch carefully to prevent burning.
Do you bake drumsticks covered or uncovered?
When baking chicken legs, it is best to cover first and then uncover. Cover the chicken legs with tin foil for the first 30 minutes, and then remove the tin foil in the last 10 to 15 minutes. Doing so can make the chicken legs have moisture and a golden and crispy skin.
When baking, the tin foil is like a pot cover. It can make the chicken legs simmer in their own soup like stewing, and the meat will be tender and juicy. If the tin foil is not covered all the time, the chicken legs are easily dry. Especially when baking at high temperature, the skin will turn black quickly.
The stage of uncovering the tin foil at the end is very critical. In these 10 to 15 minutes, letting the skin directly contact high temperature can bake a beautiful golden color, and the chicken skin will also become crispy. If there is no tin foil at home, using the cover of the baking tray instead is also fine. The effect is similar.
How do you tell if baked chicken legs are done?
Internal temperature
Just insert a food thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken leg to measure. Note to avoid the bone. When the internal temperature at the center of the chicken leg reaches 74°C, it means that it is completely cooked and safe to eat.
Appearance and color
Appearance and color are intuitive judgment methods. The surface of the baked chicken leg must be a uniform golden yellow or dark brown, and there cannot be any obvious pink areas. The skin of the chicken leg must look crispy.
Verification by cutting
Verification by cutting is the most direct method. After cutting the chicken leg, the meat juice is clear and white. There is no visible red or pink blood streak. The meat is firm and not dry. This indicates that the chicken leg is completely cooked.
What other cooking methods are there for chicken legs?
Fried chicken legs
Fried chicken legs are very popular. First, coat the chicken legs with flour, then dip them in egg liquid, and finally coat them with breadcrumbs. Then put them into hot oil and fry until the skin is golden and crispy. The chicken skin made in this way is extremely crispy, and the meat inside is tender and juicy.
Braised chicken legs
Braised chicken legs are classic home-cooked dishes. First, fry the chicken legs in a pan until the surface is slightly yellowish. Then pour in seasonings such as soy sauce and cooking wine and simmer slowly over low heat. The chicken legs cooked in this way have a very strong flavor and the meat is very tender.
Steamed chicken legs
Steaming chicken legs is a low-fat and healthy cooking method. Put the marinated chicken legs into a steamer and steam for 15 to 20 minutes. The steamed chicken legs are very tender and have a lot of juice, and can also retain the original freshness of the ingredients. When eating, it is especially great to season it simply with some shredded ginger and chopped green onions.
Pan-fried chicken legs
Pan-frying chicken legs is a quick and simple cooking method. Pour a little oil into a pan, fry both sides of the chicken legs over medium-low heat until golden, and then cover the pan and simmer for a few minutes. The chicken legs made in this way have crispy skin and the meat inside is very tender.
How to store roasted chicken legs?
Baked chicken legs can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days and frozen for 1 month. They must be fully heated before consumption.
After baking, let the chicken legs cool completely. Put them into a clean storage box or storage bag, seal it well and put it in the refrigerator. The refrigeration temperature should be kept below 4 degrees Celsius, and the freezing temperature should reach minus 18 degrees Celsius.
When eating refrigerated chicken legs, heat them in a microwave oven for 2 to 3 minutes. You can also steam them in a steamer for about 5 minutes. Even if they are stored in the refrigerator, chicken legs should be eaten within 3 days at best.
