Fried chicken legs are a classic comfort food that never seems to go out of style. When cooked just right the skin becomes beautifully crisp and golden brown while the meat stays juicy and flavorful on the inside. But achieving that ideal balance requires frying the chicken legs for the proper amount of time. Undercook them and you’ll end up with disappointing results – either raw, pink, or tough and rubbery meat. Fry them too long and the chicken will be dried out and overcooked. So how long should you fry chicken legs for the best, most crowd-pleasing outcome? Let’s take a closer look.
Factors That Affect Fry Time
There are a few key factors that impact exactly how long chicken legs need to fry:
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Size of the legs – Larger, meatier chicken legs will require a longer cook time than smaller legs.
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Bone-in vs boneless – Legs that still have the bone in will take a little longer to cook through than boneless thighs. The bone helps insulate the meat near it and slows cooking.
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Oil temperature – The hotter the oil, the faster the legs will fry. Aim for 325-375°F for optimal frying.
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Battered or unbattered – Adding a crispy coating like batter or breadcrumbs will increase the overall fry time The coating needs time to brown in addition to the chicken cooking through
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Frozen vs thawed – Only fry thawed chicken legs! Starting with frozen chicken causes the oil temp to drop dramatically.
Now let’s look at some general guidelines for how long to fry chicken legs based on whether they are small or large bone-in or boneless.
Fry Times for Small Chicken Legs
For small, bone-in chicken legs (around 1/2 pound each), the ideal fry time is approximately 15-18 minutes at 325-350°F. Expect it to take 12-15 minutes for small, boneless thighs.
For battered, small legs, add 2-3 minutes to those cook times. Frying in batches is also crucial for maintaining oil temperature. Don’t overload the fryer!
Fry Times for Large Chicken Legs
Larger, bone-in drumsticks and thighs (3/4 pound to 1 pound each) will need 18-22 minutes in the hot oil for the best results.
Big boneless thighs will take a bit less time, needing about 15-20 minutes to reach the ideal internal temperature.
If battering large legs, expect the fry time to increase by 3-5 minutes. Frying in smaller batches is key for big legs to allow plenty of room to cook evenly.
Internal Temperature – The Best Way to Know They’re Done
While the frying times above provide useful guidelines, the only surefire way to know your chicken legs are fully cooked is to check the internal temperature.
Chicken legs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are safe to eat. Use an instant read thermometer to take a temperature reading in the thickest part of a leg, avoiding contact with the bone.
If the legs finish frying before they reach 165°F, let them keep cooking. For safety, don’t eat them below the proper temperature.
Tips for Maximizing Crispiness
In addition to cooking the chicken fully, you also want that sought-after crispy, crunchy exterior. Here are some tips:
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Let legs rest on a wire rack after frying – this prevents steam from sogging out the crust.
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Fry in small batches – overcrowding drops oil temp and makes chicken greasy.
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Double fry – fry once until cooked through, rest, then fry again briefly to recrisp the outside.
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Use a thermometer – oil that is too cool won’t crisp the skin.
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Don’t cover wings after frying – this leads to a soft crust.
Common Fry Time Questions
Here are answers to some other frequently asked questions about frying chicken legs:
How long should I fry chicken legs at 375°F?
At higher oil temps, subtract 1-2 minutes from the fry times above. The legs will cook slightly faster at 375°F vs 350°F.
Can I fry frozen chicken legs?
No, only fry fully thawed chicken legs. Frozen legs will lower the oil temp drastically and lead to undercooking.
How long do I fry chicken legs in an air fryer?
Air fryers fry with hot circulated air rather than oil. Legs take 18-22 minutes at 400°F in an air fryer. Flip halfway for even cooking.
How long does it take to fry chicken legs the second time?
When double frying, the second fry only takes 2-3 minutes. You just want to recrisp the outside at this point.
What oil is best for frying chicken legs?
Peanut, vegetable, and canola oils are all good choices. They have high smoke points and neutral flavors.
Master Perfectly Fried Chicken Legs Every Time
Crispy, juicy fried chicken legs are hard to resist! With the frying time guidelines, temperature tips, and tricks above, you’ll be able to achieve tender, flavorful meat encased in an ultra-crisp, golden brown crust every time. So gather your ingredients, heat up your oil, and fry away to fried chicken bliss! Just be prepared for requests for second helpings.
More Tasty Fried Chicken Recipes to Try
Deep-fried chicken legs in a well-seasoned breading are pure soul food. Are you looking for more comfort food recipes? Then sign up for my newsletter for the win!
Serving and Storage Instructions
Deep-fried chicken is best served hot and fresh while still good and crispy. Try it with smoked baked potatoes for a delicious twist.
I doubt you’ll have leftovers, but you can refrigerate them in an airtight container or bag for 3-4 days or freeze them for 3-4 months.
When ready to serve, reheat chicken legs in a hot oven for about 15 minutes.
Cook time varies according to the chicken pieces’ size and oil temperature. On average, chicken legs take 12-15 minutes to cook through in 350℉/177℃ oil. Just make sure your instant-read thermometer reads 165℉/75℃.
I do. Crispy chicken skin is the best part of fried chicken. That said, go for it if you feel like removing it. The breading will keep it moist.
It’s not necessary. However, if you’re afraid they won’t cook through before getting too brown on the outside, you can steam them before breading them. I prefer not to boil meat unnecessarily to keep the flavor intense.
How long does it take to deep fry chicken legs at 350 degrees?
FAQ
How long does it take to fry chicken legs?
Fry chicken, uncovered, in the preheated deep fryer, turning occasionally, until golden brown, crispy, and the juices run clear, 25 to 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Is 20 minutes enough to fry chicken?
Fry at a relatively low temperature. As long as you are comfortably over the boiling point of water, steam form the chicken will be leaving fast enough to block oil from coming in. Turn the chicken from time to time. About every ten minutes, with a planned frying time of 20 to 30, depending on the size.
How long does chicken leg meat take to fry?
Working in batches, fry the chicken until it’s golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 10 minutes on each side. Insert an instant-read food thermometer into the thickest part of the largest drumstick, away from bone or fat, to test for doneness.
How long does it take for drumsticks to fully cook?
Bake for 55-65 minutes until internal juices run clear. For food safety, insert calibrated thermometer into thickest part of meat and cook to 185F. Season as desired. Let stand for 3-5 minutes before serving.
How long do you fry chicken legs?
In general, you should fry chicken legs for 8-10 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. In this article, we will discuss the factors that affect the cooking time of chicken legs, and we will provide some tips for frying them perfectly. We will also share some recipes for delicious fried chicken legs.
What temperature do you deep fry chicken legs?
Mastering the art of deep frying chicken at home has never been easier! Deep frying chicken legs at 375°F is the ideal temperature to achieve crispy and delicious results. Properly preparing the chicken legs, including seasoning and coating with a flour mixture, is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
How to fry chicken legs in a deep fryer?
Before you start cooking, make sure the oil in your deep fryer is hot enough. The ideal temperature for frying chicken legs is between 350°F and 375°F. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the chicken legs to the basket.
How long do you cook chicken legs?
Cook the chicken legs for about 12-15 minutes, depending on their size, until they are cooked through and the skin is crispy and golden brown. During the cooking process, be sure to monitor the oil temperature to maintain a consistent cooking temperature and prevent the chicken from burning or becoming too oily.
How long do you fry chicken legs in an air fryer?
The total cooking time will vary based on the size of your chicken legs, but generally speaking, these pieces should never be left in an air fryer longer than 30 minutes. One of the best ways to deep fry chicken legs is by using an oilier batter or marinade, such as buttermilk and hot sauce.
How do you keep fried chicken legs crispy after cooking?
To keep your fried chicken legs crispy after cooking, it is important to avoid trapping steam, which can make the coating soggy. A wire rack set over a baking sheet is ideal for resting the chicken legs after frying, as it allows air to circulate around them. This prevents moisture buildup and maintains crispiness.