Do you ever wonder how long to bake chicken drumsticks at 400 degrees? Well, wonder no more!
In this blog post, we will break down the cooking times for different size drumsticks. We will also provide some tips on how to get a crispy outer crust and juicy inside.
So, whether you are an experienced cook or a novice in the kitchen, keep reading for all you need to know about baking chicken drumsticks!
Table of Contents
How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400
If you’re wondering how long to bake chicken drumsticks, the answer is: You can’t. Baking time depends on a few factors.
For starters, the weight of your drumsticks will determine how long it takes for them to cook through.
For example, if you’re baking drumsticks that are four ounces each, they’ll take between 30 and 40 minutes to cook.
On average, drumsticks that are between eight and 12 ounces will take 40 to 50 minutes. But again, these numbers are only an estimate.
You should always check the internal temperature of your chicken. The USDA recommends cooking all whole cuts of poultry (like chicken breasts or thighs) to 165°F, while other poultry parts like legs and wings should be cooked to a minimum of 180°F.
Bake The Other Parts Of The Chicken At 400
Bake whole chicken at 400
To make sure the chicken is cooked through, you need to cook it until its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. On average, it will take about 40 minutes for the whole chicken and 1/2 hour if there’s more meat than bones!
Chicken Feet At 400
To ensure that your chicken legs are cooked all the way through, you should cook them at 400 degrees for approximately 25 minutes. If cooking more than one batch in an oven or on top of another food source—such as a stovetop burner–it may take longer depending on how hot it gets inside said container also checking often will help avoid overcooking!
Chicken tenderloin at 400
Tenderloins usually take 20 to 25 minutes, if you have a tray of those in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
If chicken tenders or chicken tenderloins are frozen, they will take longer to cook. How long to bake thin cutlets at 400 degrees if they are frozen? You should give them about 30 to 35 minutes.
How To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400
Everyone loves chicken legs. I love chicken legs, but I’ve never made them myself because I wasn’t sure how to go about it. So I decided to do some research and find out how it’s done, and now I’m going to share my findings with you!
Ingredients
- 1 lb of chicken drumsticks
- 2 tsp of olive oil
- 1/2 tsp of salt
- 1/4 tsp of ground black pepper
- Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Combine olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Pour into a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken drumsticks. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 10 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Arrange chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and juices run clear, about 40 minutes.
- Turn off the oven but leave the chicken inside for another 10 minutes so that it finishes cooking inside the oven without drying out.
- Pull out and enjoy!
Tips On Baking Chicken Drumsticks
When it comes to drumsticks, I have a few extra tips up my sleeve. Here are some pointers for making your drumsticks extra tasty:
If you want your drumsticks to have lots of flavors, add more herbs to them than you would for a whole bird. That way, the taste will permeate the meat better.
If you’re making a huge batch of drumsticks for a holiday gathering or any other occasion, mash up some herbs in butter beforehand and keep them in the fridge until you need them.
You can then slather that herb butter on the drumsticks before baking them—it will give them even more flavor and make them super juicy!
What To Serve With Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken drumsticks are one of the most affordable cuts of chicken, and they can be used in a wide range of recipes. But when you’re serving chicken for a party or meal, you want to make sure that its accompaniments are on-point too.
Whether it’s something to dip them in, aside to serve with them, or a beverage to wash them down with, here are some ideas for what to serve with your chicken drumsticks.
Dips
While you can certainly enjoy your chicken drumsticks by themselves, they’re especially delicious when dipped in some kind of sauce before each bite. Here are some great options that go particularly well with this cut of meat:
- Buffalo wing sauce (or Frank’s RedHot)
- BBQ sauce (honey-roasted is especially good)
- Teriyaki sauce (try this easy homemade version!)
- Honey mustard
- Ranch dressing
Sides
Depending on the type of recipe you use for your chicken drumsticks, you may want to pair it with other food items like these:
- Mashed potatoes and/or gravy (try these slow cooker mashed potatoes!)
- Coleslaw or another salad-style dish (try this Asian coleslaw recipe)
- Macaroni and cheese
FAQs Related To How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400
How Can I Tell If Chicken Drumsticks Are Done?
The best way to know if chicken drumsticks are done is by using a meat thermometer. If you insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, it should register at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even if your drumsticks look fully cooked, they may not be on the inside. Using a thermometer is the only way to ensure that your chicken is safe to eat.
Another good test to use when cooking chicken drumsticks is by cutting them with a sharp knife or fork.
If the meat is still pink or reddish inside, it’s not done cooking yet, so you’ll need to put it back in the oven for a little longer. The juices should also run clear, and not look cloudy or dark with blood.
Is It Better To Cook Chicken On Low Heat Or High Heat?
There is a common misconception that cooking chicken on low heat will yield perfectly cooked, juicy and tender chicken every time. But we’re here to tell you: it’s not so.
In reality, cooking chicken on low heat does some things well, but ultimately results in less-than-perfect chicken. And by perfect, we mean tender, juicy, and flavorful.
Cooking meat at a high heat makes for a better-seared crust, which helps seal in the juices, creating a flavorful and moist end product. The reason low-heat cooks are fooled into thinking the meat is tender is because of the longer cooking time.
If you cook something for long enough, it will eventually become tender—but there’s no need to cook it on low heat to get there! Chicken doesn’t need to be cooked for an especially long time, so this isn’t as much of an issue as it would be with other cuts of meat.
The second thing that happens when you slow cook chicken is that the fat separates from the meat and renders out more slowly than when you cook at a higher temperature. Believe it or not, slow-cooked chicken can actually end up drier than poultry cooked quickly over high heat.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading our post on how long to bake chicken drumsticks at 400 degrees.
We hope you found it helpful. Be sure to check back soon for more recipes and cooking tips.
Have a nice day!
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