how long should you bake chicken at 350

How Long Should You Bake Chicken at 350°F? The Complete Guide

When it comes to cooking chicken, baking it in the oven is one of the easiest and most foolproof methods Simply season the chicken, pop it in the oven, and let the heat work its magic But knowing exactly how long to bake chicken can be tricky. Set the time too short and you’ll end up with dangerously undercooked poultry. Too long and you’ll have dried out chicken that even gallons of sauce can’t bring back to life.

So, a good starting point is to heat your oven to 350°F. The chicken can cook all the way through without burning or drying out at this moderately hot temperature. But cooking times are still different for each chicken piece because they are different sizes and thicknesses. If you set your oven to 350°F, keep reading to learn how long to bake each type of chicken.

Factors That Affect Chicken Bake Times

Several factors impact how long it takes chicken to bake at 350°F:

• Cut of chicken – Breasts cook faster than thighs which cook faster than a whole bird.

• Bone-in or boneless – Bones insulate the meat, slowing cooking.

• Skin on or off – Skin holds in moisture but can block browning.

• Weight/thickness – Larger and thicker pieces take longer.

• Frozen or thawed – Frozen chicken requires more time.

• Oven accuracy – Get an oven thermometer if unsure.

• Chicken’s starting temp – Closer to room temp cooks evenly.

Keep these key factors in mind when determining bake times. These times are just suggestions; depending on how thick or small your chicken is, it may need a little more or less time to cook. The best way to tell if something is done is with an instant read thermometer.

Bake Times for Chicken Pieces

Here are approximate bake times for various chicken pieces at 350°F:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

• 1 pound, about 1 inch thick – 35-40 minutes

Bone-in Chicken Breasts

• 1-1.5 pounds – 50-60 minutes

Chicken Thighs

• Boneless – 25-35 minutes
• Bone-in – 40-50 minutes

Chicken Drumsticks

• 2-3 ounces each – 45-55 minutes

Chicken Wings

• Whole wings – 40-50 minutes

Chicken Cutlets

• 1/2 inch thick – 15-18 minutes

To be safe, never rely on bake times alone to check the internal temperature of meat. Always use a meat thermometer. The safe minimum temperature for chicken is 165°F. Thighs and legs can get as hot as 175°F to 180°F to make them feel even better.

Bake Time for a Whole Chicken

For a 3-4 pound whole chicken, plan on approximately 18-22 minutes per pound at 350°F.

So for a:

• 3 pound chicken – bake for 54-66 minutes
• 4 pound chicken – bake for 72-88 minutes

Again, use a meat thermometer to verify doneness instead of going by time alone. Check the breast and thigh areas, ensuring they reach 165°F minimum. Let the chicken rest at least 5 minutes before carving.

Tips for Juicy, Tender Chicken

Follow these tips for bake-perfect chicken every time:

• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help browning

• Brine chicken in saltwater for added moisture and flavor

• Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness

• Bake on a wire rack set inside a sheet pan

• Tent chicken loosely with foil at first for more even cooking

• Baste chicken with pan juices or oil occasionally

• Let chicken rest before slicing for juicier meat

With the proper bake time and temperature, plus these handy tricks, your oven-baked chicken will turn out tender and delicious each time. For food safety, just remember to confirm doneness with a thermometer. Enjoy your perfectly golden brown 350°F chicken!