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

Cooking chicken in the oven at 350°F is a great way to end up with juicy, flavorful meat every time. But nailing the perfect cook time can seem tricky. Undercook it and you risk food poisoning. Overdo it and you’ll end up with dry, tough chicken.

Luckily, there are some simple guidelines to follow that will help you figure out exactly how long to bake chicken parts like breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings, etc. as well as whole chickens. Read on for a complete guide to cooking times plus tips for foolproof oven-baked chicken.

Factors That Affect Chicken Cook Times

Several key factors impact how long it takes chicken to cook through at 350°F. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Type and Cut of Chicken

• Boneless cuts cook faster than bone-in.
• White meat cooks faster than dark.
• Smaller pieces cook faster than larger.

So boneless, skinless chicken breasts will bake much quicker than bone-in chicken thighs or a whole bird.

Thickness

The thicker the cut of chicken, the more time it needs in the oven. Thick-cut chicken breasts take longer than thin-cut ones.

Bone-In vs. Boneless

Bones conduct heat slower than meat, so bone-in chicken requires more time to cook through than boneless pieces.

Weight

Larger pieces of chicken need longer cook times than smaller pieces of the same cut.

Brined vs. Unbrined

Brining chicken before cooking helps it retain moisture, which can slightly extend the baking time.

Frozen vs. Thawed

Frozen chicken requires significantly longer cook time than fully thawed chicken. Always thaw frozen chicken safely in the fridge before cooking.

Oven Temperature

While 350°F is a popular temp for baking chicken. you can adjust it based on your preferences

• Lower oven temp (325°F): Will result in more even, gradual cooking. Great for larger cuts.

• Higher oven temp (375-400°F): Speeds up cook time but can lead to drier exterior. Best for smaller boneless cuts.

• Convection setting: Circulates hot air for crispier skin. May slightly reduce cook time.

No matter what temperature you use, always rely on a meat thermometer to assess doneness instead of cook time alone.

Recommended Bake Times for Chicken Parts

Here are general guidelines for how long different cuts of chicken need to bake at 350°F.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4-6 oz.): 20-25 minutes

Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts: 30-40 minutes

Chicken thighs (bone-in and boneless): 30-45 minutes

Chicken drumsticks: 35-45 minutes

Chicken wings: 40-50 minutes

Chicken tenderloins/tenders: 15-20 minutes

Cornish hens: 45-60 minutes

Again, these cook times are merely estimates. The thickness of the specific cut, your oven’s accuracy, and other factors can all impact the real cook time.

How Long to Bake a Whole Chicken

For a 3-4 pound whole chicken, allow around 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F.

So a 3 pound chicken will need 45-60 minutes, while a 4 pounder will need 60-80 minutes to bake through.

Always check for doneness by taking the internal temp rather than relying on cook time alone.

How to Tell When Chicken Is Done

An instant-read thermometer is by far the most reliable way to assess whether chicken is fully cooked.

Target Internal Temperatures:

• Whole chicken/chicken breasts: 165°F

• Chicken thighs/legs/wings: 175°F

• Ground chicken: 165°F

The chicken is safe to eat once it reaches these internal temperatures. If undercooked, return it to the oven for additional baking.

Besides using a thermometer, you can check for visual signs of doneness:

• Meat is opaque throughout, not pink.

• Juices run clear when pierced with a fork.

• Meat pulls away easily from the bone (for bone-in cuts).

Let chicken rest about 5 minutes before carving to allow juices to reabsorb for moister meat.

Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Chicken

Follow these tips for crispy, juicy oven-baked chicken every time:

• Pat chicken dry before baking for crispy skin.

• Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

• Brush with oil or rub on seasoning for added flavor.

• Bake on a wire rack over a sheet pan so air circulates.

• Avoid overcrowding the pan which can cause steaming.

• Brine or marinate chicken first for extra juicy meat.

• Tent foil over chicken for part of cook time to prevent drying.

• Let chicken rest before slicing for juicier meat.

Common Chicken Baking Problems and Solutions

Problem: Chicken is undercooked.

Solution: Return to oven and bake until it reaches the proper internal temperature.

Problem: Chicken is overcooked and dry.

Solution: Take it out of the oven sooner next time and use a meat thermometer.

Problem: Skin is not crispy.

Solution: Pat chicken dry before baking, use lower oven rack, bake at higher temp for part of time.

Problem: Chicken is unevenly cooked.

Solution: Allow oven to fully preheat, use smaller pieces, avoid overcrowding pan.

The Takeaway on Baking Chicken at 350°F

• Boneless cuts cook faster than bone-in.

• White meat cooks faster than dark meat.

• Smaller pieces bake quicker than larger pieces.

• Always use a meat thermometer for doneness.

• Allow chicken to rest before serving.

Mastering the ideal baking times and temps for different cuts of chicken takes some trial and error. But sticking to the basic guidelines above will set you down the right path to perfectly cooked chicken every time.

For baking chicken, 400°F is generally considered better than 350°F because it results in a shorter cooking time and potentially a crispier exterior.