Chicken legs are a delicious and economical dinner option. However knowing when chicken legs are fully cooked can be tricky. Unlike chicken breasts, legs have more fat, collagen, and bone so they require a higher internal temperature to reach doneness. Here’s a guide to determining when chicken legs are done.
Why Chicken Legs Require a Higher Temperature
Chicken legs contain more fat, collagen, and bone compared to white breast meat. The collagen in the legs needs prolonged exposure to heat in order to break down into gelatin, which makes the meat tender. The bones can shield some areas of the meat from direct heat, meaning the internal temperature needs to get higher to ensure the meat is cooked through. Finally, fat takes longer to cook than lean meat.
For these reasons chicken legs are generally cooked to a higher temperature than breasts. While chicken breasts are safe to eat at 165°F chicken legs should reach 170-175°F for the best texture.
How to Tell When Chicken Legs Are Done
There are a few ways to test chicken leg doneness:
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Use an instant-read meat thermometer – Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the leg, taking care not to hit bone. The temperature should read 170-175°F. This is the most accurate way to assess doneness.
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Look for the flesh to turn opaque – The meat should no longer look pink or translucent. Be aware that bone marrow can sometimes cause a pink tinge even when the meat is fully cooked.
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Check for juice clarity – Prick the chicken and check if the juices run clear. The juices do not have to be perfectly clear, but they shouldn’t be bloody. This is an imperfect way to judge doneness.
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Cut into the meat – If no pink color remains and the meat appears firm, not squishy, it should be cooked through. Be cautious with this method, as some pink can remain even when the chicken is safe to eat.
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Poke the meat – If it feels firm with no give, it is likely fully cooked. However, this is a very imprecise method.
What Temperature to Cook Chicken Legs
To ensure chicken legs cook fully without drying out, aim for an internal temperature of 170-175°F. Methods like roasting, grilling, baking, or braising chicken legs to this temperature will dissolve collagen and kill any harmful bacteria.
For food safety, chicken legs must reach a minimum of 165°F internally. However, at just 165°F they won’t be as tender. Shooting for 170-175°F gives you wiggle room in case your thermometer is slightly off or reads the temperature in a cooler spot.
Dark meat can be cooked to 200-205°F for pulled or shredded chicken recipes. Simmering the legs for an extended time at this high temperature makes the meat fall-off-the-bone tender.
So for perfectly cooked chicken legs, always rely on an instant-read thermometer and cook to 170-175°F. This ensures juicy, flavorful meat while killing any pathogens. Trust the thermometer readings rather than visual cues like color. As long as the internal temperature hits the target, your chicken legs are done.
How long does baked chicken last?
Cooked chicken lasts for up to four days in the refrigerator. You can enjoy it warmed up, but the skin won’t be as crispy. Sometimes I just pull the meat off the bone and store it for easy sandwiches and salads for lunch. It’s delicious cold or warmed up!
How do you know when they’re done?
The best way to tell is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Baked chicken should be cooked to a temperature of at least 165 degrees, but for legs I let them cook longer. Sometimes there are red spots in the meat near the bone and if you cook them a little longer those disappear. The meat will still be really juicy and tender!
You can also just cut into one and check that it’s cooked all the way through. The meat should be thoroughly cooked to the bone and the juices should run clear. But, seriously, I recommend a thermometer – it just makes life so much easier.
What temperature do I cook chicken thighs to?
FAQ
Is chicken done at 165 or 180?
Are drumsticks done at 165?
They take longer to cook than breast meat, about 25 to 30 minutes on the grill. Cook to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F.
What temperature is chicken legs done?
The safe internal temperature for cooked chicken legs, including drumsticks and thighs, is 165°F (74°C).
How to tell if chicken drumsticks are done?
To determine if chicken drumsticks are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part, near the bone. Alternatively, pierce the meat with a fork or knife;