How Long to Bake Chicken at 375°F for Perfectly Cooked Meat

Cooking chicken can be tricky. Undercook it and you risk food poisoning. Overcook it and you end up with dry, stringy meat. That’s why temperature and timing are so important when baking chicken in the oven. But what temperature and time should you use? 375°F for around 25-30 minutes is ideal for baking bone-in chicken parts or bone-in breasts. For boneless breasts, shorten the time to 20 minutes. Read on for more details on how to bake chicken at 375°F for maximum juiciness and flavor.

Why 375°F is the Perfect Temperature for Baking Chicken

When baking chicken, you want a high enough temperature to ensure food safety but not so high that the outside dries out before the inside cooks through. At 375°F, the heat is sufficient to kill any bacteria on the surface and penetrate deep into the meat quickly. This prevents the need for an overly long cooking time that would cause the exterior to get leathery.

375°F strikes a perfect balance between quick cooking and moisture retention. The Maillard reaction can occur, browning the outside and adding tons of flavor. But because the temperature isn’t excessively hot, the meat doesn’t toughen or dry out.

As an added bonus, 375°F is convenient because it’s in the middle of the typical oven temperature range. You probably won’t have to adjust your oven temperature if you were cooking something else beforehand at a standard baking temp.

How Long to Bake Chicken Breasts at 375°F

Boneless chicken breasts should bake at 375°F for 17-20 minutes. Bone-in chicken breasts and bone-in chicken pieces need a little longer, around 25-30 minutes.

However, you can’t rely on time alone. All ovens heat slightly differently. The thickness of the chicken makes a difference too. That’s why you should always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer before removing chicken from the oven.

The safe minimum internal temperature for chicken is 165°F. But I recommend removing chicken between 160-162°F because the temperature will continue rising as it rests. If you let it go all the way to 165°F in the oven, it may end up overcooked and dry.

To recap, for juicy boneless chicken breasts at 375°F:

• Bake for 17-20 minutes
• Check temperature at the thickest part
• Remove from oven at 160-162°F
• Let rest 5 minutes before serving

For bone-in chicken breasts and bone-in pieces like thighs at 375°F:

• Bake for 25-30 minutes
• Check temperature at the thickest part
• Remove from oven at 160-162°F
• Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving

How to Prepare Chicken for Baking

Proper prep is key to the juiciest baked chicken possible. Here are some tips:

• Trim excess fat The more exposed fat on the chicken the more likely it is to render out and make the meat dry.

• Pat dry Remove any moisture on the surface of the chicken so it browns better in the oven

• Use a broiler pan: The slotted design allows fat to drip away from the chicken skin rather than pooling around it.

• Brush with oil: Coating the chicken with a thin layer of oil like avocado or olive oil enhances browning.

• Season well: Generous amounts of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and other spices makes the chicken extra flavorful.

• Let sit: After seasoning, let the chicken rest for 10-20 minutes so the salt has time to penetrate the meat.

How to Tell When Chicken is Done

Appearance isn’t a reliable indicator of doneness for chicken. That’s why using a meat thermometer is so important. Insert it into the thickest part of the breast or thigh, taking care that the probe isn’t touching bone.

Below are signs that the chicken may be overcooked:

• Meat thermometer reads over 165°F
• Flesh looks opaque and white throughout when pierced
• Juices run clear with no traces of pink
• Meat feels very firm when pressed with tongs or a fork

The chicken may still be undercooked if:

• Meat thermometer reads under 160°F
• Flesh is pink or red when pierced in the center
• Juices have traces of pink or red
• Meat feels soft and squishy when pressed

Trust the thermometer for an accurate reading. When in doubt, cut into the thickest part of the chicken to inspect the internal color and juices. Properly cooked chicken is moist with a faint pink tinge.

Troubleshooting Overcooked, Dry Chicken

We’ve all been there. You pull what should have been perfectly baked chicken out of the oven only to find it dry and stringy. Don’t worry, you can still save it!

Here are some tricks to add moisture back to overcooked chicken breasts or pieces:

• Slice or shred the chicken then toss it with a flavorful sauce like barbecue, buffalo, or teriyaki.

• Make chicken salad or wraps using mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, or another creamy dressing.

• Simmer the chicken in broth or water plus seasonings to re-hydrate it.

• Use pieces of overcooked chicken in casseroles, pastas, soups and stews. The additional moisture from the dish will make the dried out meat more palatable.

• If the chicken is beyond saving, turn it into croutons, dog treats or stock.

With the right temperature, timing, and technique, you can bake juicy, delicious chicken to perfection at 375°F. Just be sure to use a thermometer for the most accurate doneness readout. Now that you know exactly how long chicken needs to bake at 375°F, you can serve up tender, foolproof poultry any night of the week.