Cooking chicken thighs at 180°C (350°F) in the oven is a common way to get juicy, flavorful meat with a crispy outside. No matter how good a cook you are or how long you’ve been doing it, you must know how to cook chicken thighs perfectly. In this article, I will tell you how long to cook chicken thighs in the oven at 180°C, considering things like thickness, whether they have bones, and how to get the best results.
The cooking time differs in the case of bone-in and boneless chicken thighs. For bone-in chicken thighs, you need to cook them for approximately 35-45 minutes in the oven at 180°C. On the other hand, boneless chicken thighs require about 25-35 minutes to cook in the oven at 180°C.
Keep reading this article if you want to serve your family delicious chicken thighs by following the correct cooking time and process.
The Perfect Temperature And Time: Why It Matters
The best way to cook chicken thighs in the oven is at 180°C (350°F) for 35 to 45 minutes. These two things have a big impact on the quality of the dish. When you cook chicken thighs at 180°C, the outside texture and the moisture level balance well. This temperature is suitable for the Maillard reaction, which is a must to make the skin brown and improve the taste.
At 180°C, chicken thighs with the bones still in them usually take 35–45 minutes to cook, while boneless thighs take 25–35 minutes. Using a meat thermometer to make sure the inside temperature hits 75°C (165°F) is essential for food safety.
These factors are the key to getting results that taste good. Besides giving a nice color, the Maillard reaction also enriches the flavors. Cooking for the right amount of time at 180°C ensures that the food is fully cooked while keeping it juicy. If the temperature gets too high, the food might get too dry, and if it doesn’t get cooked long enough, some parts might still be raw.
Cooking Bone-In Chicken Thighs
Because the bones can transfer heat and slow the cooking process, bone-in chicken thighs take a little longer to cook than boneless ones. For chicken legs with bones, heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and follow the below steps:
- Preparation: To prepare the chicken legs, pat them dry with paper towels. This step helps make sure the skin is crispy.
- Seasoning: Season the thighs with your preferred spices, herbs, and marinades. Let them sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes to make them taste better.
- Baking: Put the chicken legs on a baking sheet or in a baking dish with space between them. So the food will cook evenly. Put a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh without hitting the bone.
- Cooking Time: At 180°C (350°F), bone-in chicken legs take 35–45 minutes to cook through. But the exact time can change based on how big the thighs are. Use a meat thermometer to be sure. The internal temperature should hit 75°C (165°F) to ensure it is safe to eat.
Cooking Boneless Chicken Thighs
Boneless Chicken Thighs have the same width, so they usually cook faster than those with bones. Here are the steps on how to cook chicken legs without bones at 350°F (180°C):
- Preparation: Just like with legs with bones, pat the meat dry to make it crispier.
- Seasoning: If you have time, season the boneless legs and let them marinate. Meat can get more flavor from being marinated.
- Baking: For baking, put the boneless thighs on a baking tray or dish and leave some room between them to cook evenly.
- Cooking Time: At 180°C (350°F), cooking chicken thighs without bones usually takes 25 to 35 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meat’s temperature hits 75°C (165°F).
Tips For Success
Follow The below tips to cool Chicken Thighs in an Oven at 180 degrees Celcius more perfectly-
Use a Meat Thermometer: A good meat thermometer is your best friend when cooking chicken legs. It ensures the meat is safe and keeps it from being overcooked, making it dry.
Crispier skin: To make the skin crispier, bake the chicken legs at 180°C (350°F) on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. It lets hot air move around the legs, which helps them crisp up better.
Flipping and basting: Flip the chicken thighs halfway through the cooking time to add flavor and ensure they cook evenly. Melting butter, oil or marinating and brushing it on the meat can also make it taste better and keep it moist.
Customize Flavors: Try different seasoning blends, marinades, and sauces to make your unique taste profiles.
Also read: How Long to Cook Thin Chicken Breast in Oven at 400
FAQs
How Do I Prevent Chicken Thighs From Drying Out When Cooking at 180°C?
Follow the suggested cooking times to ensure you don’t overcook the chicken legs so they don’t get dry. Also, marinating the chicken for a while before cooking helps them to be juicy. You can use a wire rack while baking to allow hot air flow and make the outside crispier without drying the inside.
What If My Oven Temperature Fluctuates Slightly Around 180°C?
Small changes in oven temperature are normal and shouldn’t affect how the food cooks. But if your oven has a lot of differences, you should use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs often to get safe and uniform results.
Can I Determine The Doneness Of Chicken Thighs Solely By the Cooking Time?
You can use cooking time as a general guide, but relying on a meat thermometer reading of 75°C (165°F) or higher is better. It ensures the chicken thighs are well-cooked and safe to eat.
Final Words
Baking chicken thighs in the oven at 180°C (350°F) is a flexible and safe way to ensure they taste great. Thighs with bones take a little longer to cook than thighs without bones. Remember that buying a meat thermometer is a small step that can help you cook better in a big way. I hope this article on “How long to cook chicken thighs in oven at 180°C” will help you make perfect chicken thighs every time.
