How Long to Bake Chicken at 350?

As much as it’s fun and creative, cooking can be quite dangerous. If you’re a fan of fancy cuisine, you must be accustomed to the fiery ways of flambéing.

But with this article, we’re focusing on some other kind of risk: Health and food risk.

While cooking at home gives you a healthier way to consume your favorite poultry, the scenario outside is quite different.

There have been countless reports if restaurants and cafes getting fined or permanently shut down owing to their disregard for basic cooking instruction leading to growth of salmonella in the food.

Cooking or baking chicken might seem like an easy task, but it brings a potential list of foodborne illnesses. If you’re not careful with the cooking time, you will end up with food that’s pretty much bad for your health.

So, if you’re thinking of baking your meal for the dinner and it includes the fan-favorite poultry, you’re probably wondering after reading this: How long to bake chicken at 350?

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) states that a 4-ounce chicken breast should ideally be roasted for 25 to 30 minutes at 350°F, or, 177˚C.

Knowing the proper techniques and time chart to properly cook/bake chicken can make you a great and fulfilling meal that’s safe.

Why You Need to be Careful with Cooking Chicken

We don’t want to creep you out but, reports suggest that salmonella is the cause behind 1.2 million cases every year, as well as 450 deaths! The data is staggering, isn’t it?

What is Salmonella? There’s a high chance you probably know this already since it’s such a highly talked about item.

But on the off chance, you’re still in the dark, Salmonella is a bacterium that thrives off food and is the most frequently mentioned reason of food-related illnesses in the United States.

You can’t taste or smell it, let alone see it. Salmonellosis is the name of the illness contracted from this bacterium. Upset stomach, fever, diarrhea, cramps, and pain in the belly are some of the common situations. 

Salmonella is often detected in raw poultry. Upon being cooked correctly, the poultry receives a salmonella cleansing, but undercooked and improperly handled poultry is the first ingredient for trouble. 

United States always inspects all the poultry in the land for signs of disease, but this doesn’t confirm that it’s devoid of bacteria. For the most part, it’s not unusual that raw poultry will be teeming with various kinds of bacteria.

If you’re shocked to the core (you should be, honestly), then you need to be more careful the next time you’re preparing chicken. 

Finally, here’s the answer to the most-awaited question: How long to bake chicken at 350?

Chicken Cooking Tips

• You must thaw your chicken properly. You can either put it in the refrigerator for a slow loosening, or if you’re in a rush, put the chicken in a plastic bag or leak-proof packages and submerge it under cold tap water.
• Bake the 4-ounce chicken breast for 25 to 30 minutes at 350°F.
• Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165˚F (74˚C).

How Long To Bake Chicken at 350: Correct Time and Temperature Setting

Here’s a guide to roasting, simmering, or grilling chicken provided by the USDA.

Type of chicken	Weight	Roasting: 350°F (177˚C)	Simmering	Grilling
Whole broiler-fryer	3 to 4 lbs.	1 1/4 – 1 1/2hours	60 to 75 minutes	60 to 75 minutes**
Whole roasting hen*	5 to 7 lbs.	2 to 2 1/4 hours	1 3/4 to 2 hrs.	18 to 25 min./lb**
Breast halves, bone-in	6 to 8 oz.	30 to 40 minutes	35 to 45 minutes	10 to 15 minutes/side
Breast halves, boneless	4 oz.	20 to 30 minutes	25 to 30 minutes	6 to 9 minutes/side
Legs or thighs	4 to 8 oz.	40 to 50 minutes	40 to 50 minutes	10 to 15 minutes/side
Drumsticks	4 oz.	35 to 45 minutes	40 to 50 minutes	8 to 12 minutes/side
Wings	2 to 3 oz.	20 to 40 minutes	35 to 45 minutes	8 to 12 minutes/side

* Unstuffed. If stuffed, add 15 to 30 additional minutes to the timer. 

** Indirect method using drip pan.

Through this guide, you’ll get an estimation of how long you need to cook your chicken.

Nevertheless, depending on the size of the piece and also considering the slight hear difference between ovens, it’s important to double-check the meat’s internal temperature. 

In order to kill any sorts of contagion polluting your poultry, the internal temperature of the meat needs to brought at 165°F (74˚C).

Simply insert your meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. Remember, “somewhat close” just won’t cut it in this case.

So ensure you stuff it right back in the oven if it hasn’t met the standard yet.

Clarifying Common Misconceptions and Suggesting Better Practices

Now that’s we’re done with the basics of how long to bake your chicken at 350, let’s go through some general practices that can elevate your cooking. 

Don’t use the chicken breast’s color to determine whether it’s ready or not. Just because it’s got the soft pink color doesn’t necessarily mean the chicken is undercooked.

Similarly, if the meat turns white, it’s no sure shot indicator that all bacteria has been eliminated. 

Steer clear of cross-contamination. If the raw poultry meets knives, work surfaces, or even your hands, it can leave a trail of bacteria.

From there on, it’s a relatively easier journey to your spoons and forks, then mouths, and finally stomach. 

Don’t leave the chicken out too long after it’s thawed. Bacteria loves raw meat that has a temperature between 40˚F and 140˚F.

Conclusion

We hope you’re now clear on how long to bake chicken at 350?

After following basic safety guidelines, you have all the liberty in the world to cook up any dish that your taste buds fancy.

What are you cooking today?