how long bake chicken thighs 350

Perfectly Baked Chicken Thighs: How Long to Cook at 350°F

Chicken thighs are a weeknight dinner hero – flavorful, forgiving, and wonderfully juicy. Baking them is one of the easiest and healthiest ways to prepare them. But one question often arises: exactly how long do you bake chicken thighs at 350°F (175°C) for perfect results?

While a specific time is helpful, it’s crucial to understand that it’s more of a guideline than a rigid rule. Several factors influence cooking time, but let’s start with the general estimates.

General Time Guidelines at 350°F (175°C):

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Typically require 25 to 35 minutes.
• Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs: Generally need a bit longer, around 35 to 45 minutes. The bone insulates the meat, requiring more time to cook through, while the skin needs time to render fat and crisp up.

Why Time Isn’t Everything: The Importance of Internal Temperature

These time ranges are excellent starting points, but the most reliable way to guarantee perfectly cooked and safe chicken is by using an instant-read meat thermometer.

Chicken is safe to eat when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For chicken thighs, many cooks prefer to take them slightly higher, closer to 170°F-175°F (77°C-80°C). Unlike chicken breasts which dry out easily, the higher fat content in thighs keeps them moist even at this slightly higher temperature, and it helps break down connective tissues further, resulting in incredibly tender meat.

How to Check the Temperature: Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure not to touch the bone (if using bone-in thighs), as the bone conducts heat differently and can give a false reading.

Factors That Influence Baking Time:

Even within the time ranges, several things can affect how long your chicken thighs need in the oven:

1. Size and Thickness: Larger, thicker thighs will naturally take longer to cook than smaller, thinner ones.
2. Bone-In vs. Boneless: As mentioned, bone-in thighs take longer.
3. Starting Temperature: Chicken straight from the refrigerator will take longer than chicken that has sat at room temperature for 15-20 minutes (though for food safety, don’t leave it out much longer).
4. Oven Accuracy: Ovens can vary! Some run hotter or cooler than the set temperature. An oven thermometer can help you understand your specific oven’s quirks.
5. Crowding the Pan: Placing too many thighs too close together on the baking sheet can lower the effective temperature around the chicken and increase steaming rather than roasting, potentially extending cooking time. Give them some space for air circulation.

Simple Steps for Baking Chicken Thighs at 350°F:

1. Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels (this helps the skin crisp up if using skin-on). Season generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, thyme are all great choices). You can also toss them lightly in olive oil.
3. Arrange: Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Ensure they aren’t overlapping. For skin-on thighs, place them skin-side up. You can line the baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.
4. Bake: Place the chicken in the preheated oven. Start checking boneless thighs around the 25-minute mark and bone-in thighs around the 35-minute mark.
5. Check Temperature: Use your meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Continue baking if necessary, checking every 5 minutes until they reach at least 165°F (74°C), aiming for 170°F-175°F (77°C-80°C) for optimal tenderness if desired.
6. Rest: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a moist and flavorful result.

In Conclusion:

While 25-35 minutes for boneless and 35-45 minutes for bone-in are good estimates for baking chicken thighs at 350°F, always rely on a meat thermometer reading of 165°F-175°F (74°C-80°C) for perfectly cooked, safe, and delicious results every time. Happy baking!