Chicken is a healthy, versatile meat that is a mainstay in many homes. To make sure it is safe to eat and tastes juicy and delicious, you need to know how long to cook it. The cooking time can vary a lot depending on the cut and how it is prepared. In this detailed guide, we’ll show you how long different cooking methods take to cook chicken.
Overview of Chicken Cooking Times
The cooking time for chicken depends on several factors:
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Type of Chicken: Whole chicken takes longer than breasts or thighs. Pieces with bones take longer than pieces without bones.
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Preparation method: Grilling, pan-frying, baking, poaching etc. all require different cooking times.
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Thickness and size: Larger, thicker cuts of chicken require more time than smaller, thinner pieces.
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Chicken with or without bones: Chicken with bones takes longer to cook than chicken without bones. The bones act as insulation slowing down the cooking.
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Temperature: Higher oven temperatures shorten cooking time. Grilling over high vs. medium heat impacts time.
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When it comes to food safety, chicken should always be cooked to 165°F to kill any bacteria.
As a general guideline, boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs take 15-25 minutes to cook depending on thickness. Bone-in chicken pieces take 25-40 minutes. A whole chicken can take over an hour to roast. Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness instead of relying solely on cook times.
Whole Roasting Chicken
Roasting a whole chicken in the oven results in crisp, golden skin and tender, juicy meat. Use these cook times as a guide:
- 2 1⁄2 – 3 pounds: Bake at 375°F for 1 – 1 1⁄4 hours
- 3 1⁄2 – 4 pounds: Bake at 375°F for 1 1⁄4 – 1 1⁄2 hours
- 4 1⁄2 – 5 pounds: Bake at 375°F for 1 3⁄4 – 2 hours
The chicken is fully cooked once the thigh meat reaches 175°F on a meat thermometer. Let the roasted chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Grilled Chicken
During grilling, the hot air circulates around the chicken sealing in moisture and adding delicious char. Cook times for grilling boneless chicken at a medium heat:
- Chicken breast halves: 15-18 minutes, turning halfway
- Chicken thighs: 12-15 minutes, turning halfway
For bone-in chicken pieces, cook times are:
- 2 1⁄2 – 3 pound whole chicken: Grill for 1 – 1 1⁄4 hours
- 3 1⁄2 – 4 pound whole chicken: Grill for 1 1⁄4 – 1 3⁄4 hours
- 4 1⁄2 – 5 pound whole chicken: Grill for 1 3⁄4 – 2 hours
Use tongs to flip chicken gently halfway through grilling. Meat thermometer should read 165°F.
Baked Chicken Pieces
Baking chicken pieces like bone-in breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings in the oven is a quick and easy cooking method. Cook at 375°F to the following internal temperatures:
- Chicken breasts: Bake for 45-50 mins until 165°F
- Chicken thighs and drumsticks: Bake 40-55 mins until 175°F
- Chicken wings: Bake 25-35 mins until 165°F
Brush chicken with oil or rub on spices beforehand for more flavor. The skin will become crispy and browned in the dry oven heat.
Pan-Seared Chicken
To cook chicken in a skillet on the stovetop, use medium-high heat with a bit of oil. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Approximate pan-searing times:
- Boneless breasts: 8-12 mins per side
- Boneless thighs: 6-8 mins per side
- Bone-in thighs: 8-11 mins per side
- Bone-in breasts: 11-15 mins per side
Flattening the chicken to an even thickness will help it cook faster and more evenly in the pan. Let it rest 5 minutes before serving.
Poached Chicken
Poaching chicken involves gently simmering it in liquid like broth, water, or wine until cooked through. Use low heat and keep the liquid just barely bubbling.
- Boneless breasts: Simmer for 12-15 minutes
- Bone-in breasts: Simmer for around 30 minutes
- Boneless thighs: Simmer 10-15 minutes
The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the meat is no longer pink inside. Poached chicken stays incredibly moist.
Chicken Soup and Stew
When making chicken noodle soup, stew, or another liquid-based dish, the chicken is gently simmered until fully cooked and tender.
- Boneless breasts: Simmer 15-20 minutes
- Bone-in thighs: Simmer 25-30 minutes
- Drumsticks: Simmer 25-35 minutes
The long, gentle cooking time ensures the chicken becomes fall-off-the-bone tender and infuses the broth with flavor. Use a thermometer to check 165°F.
Rotisserie Chicken
Store-bought rotisserie chickens are roasted for an extended time on a rotating spit which allows the meat to baste in its own juices. It takes about:
- 1 hour 15 mins to cook a 3-pound chicken
- 1 hour 30 mins for a 4-pound chicken
- 1 hour 45 mins for a 5-pound chicken
The chickens are cooked until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180°F as measured by the store. Let rest at least 10 minutes before carving.
Fried Chicken
Deep frying or pan frying in oil results in crispy, golden chicken. Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature:
- 350°F for boneless chicken pieces, fry 8-12 minutes
- 325°F for bone-in chicken pieces, fry 12-18 minutes
Fry chicken in batches to maintain oil temperature. Chicken is fully cooked when it registers 165°F internally after frying.
Air Fryer Chicken
Air fryers use super hot, circulating air to produce crispy, browned chicken without all the oil. Cook times for raw chicken in a 375°F air fryer:
- Boneless breasts: 5-9 mins per side
- Boneless thighs: 6-10 mins per side
- Bone-in thighs: 9-11 mins per side
- Bone-in breasts: 12-15 mins per side
Flip chicken halfway during cooking. Air fryers yield delicious chicken with significantly less oil than deep frying.
Breaded and Processed Chicken
Breaded chicken like nuggets, patties, and tenders have a coating that steams the meat during cooking. Always cook frozen chicken products thoroughly:
- Chicken nuggets: Bake 15-20 mins at 400°F
- Chicken patties: Bake 18-22 mins at 375°F
- Chicken tenders: Bake or air fry 12-15 mins at 375°F
The breading should become crisp and golden brown when the chicken inside reaches 165°F. Never eat undercooked processed chicken.
General Tips for Cooking Chicken
Follow these tips for foolproof, flavorful chicken every time:
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Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying on cook times.
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Let chicken rest at least 5 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
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Pound chicken to an even thickness so it cooks evenly.
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Brine chicken in saltwater before cooking for added moisture and flavor.
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Season chicken all over with spices, herbs, sauces, etc for maximum flavor.
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Cook bone-in chicken pieces skin-side down first for crisper skin.
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Avoid overcooking chicken, which dries it out. Remove it as soon as it reaches 165°F.
With the proper technique and cooking times, you can enjoy perfectly cooked chicken with juicy, tender meat every time. Use this guide to take the guesswork out of all your chicken recipes.
How to cook chicken
Roast the chicken at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 25 minutes per 500g plus an extra 25 minutes; breasts for 15 minutes; thighs and wings for 40 minutes.
Grill or barbecue (breasts for 7–10 minutes, cubes or strips for 5–7 minutes, drumsticks and thighs for 25–30 minutes, and wings for 40 minutes).
Stir-fry (cubes or strips, 5-7 mins). Always check theres no pink meat and that the juices run clear (pierce with a sharp knife or skewer) before serving.
How to prepare chicken
You can marinate some cuts of chicken before cooking them to make them taste better, stay moist, and become more tender. Slash the skin a couple of times to help the marinade penetrate further.
Before it goes in the oven, chicken should be at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge (1 hour for a whole chicken; 30 minutes for a cut) before cooking. Keep it covered, in a cool place.
How long does a 6 lb chicken take to cook at 375?
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a whole chicken?
Cooking a whole chicken in the oven is a great way to feed a crowd and have leftovers for other meals. For a whole chicken (approximately 3-4 pounds), bake for 20 minutes per pound at 350°F. So a 4 pound chicken will need approximately 80 minutes.
How long does it take to cook a chicken breast?
Cooking your chicken at a steady temperature of around 350°F usually takes about 1. 5 to 2 hours, depending on the size. Make sure to monitor the internal temperature, aiming for at least 165°F in the thickest part of the breast for safe consumption. Now, allow your chicken to rest before carving.
How long do you cook chicken thighs at 350?
For boneless chicken thighs, the cooking time at 350°F is typically around 20-25 minutes. For bone-in chicken thighs, the cooking time is typically around 35-40 minutes. There is no set time for cooking chicken breast at 350°F (175°C). It depends on how big and thick the breast is.
How long does it take to cook a 3 pound chicken?
The cooking time for a 3-pound chicken is about 1½ hours. Meaty pieces of chicken include chicken breast, drumsticks, and thighs, which can be prepared in different ways. An instant-read thermometer can tell you when the meat is done. For breast meat, it should be at least 165°F, and for thighs and drumsticks, it should be at least 175°F.
How long do you cook chicken at 375?
Cook times vary based on the size of the chicken, with an average of 1. 5 to 2 hours for a 4- to 5-pound bird at 375°F. Using a meat thermometer is important to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety and optimal juiciness.
How long does a rotisserie chicken take to cook?
A: The cooking time for a whole rotisserie chicken generally ranges from 1. 5 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the chicken. A standard 4 to 5-pound chicken typically cooks in this time frame. It’s crucial to check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches at least 165°F in the thickest part of the breast or thigh for safe consumption.
How long does it take chicken to cook in a pan?
For boneless, skinless breasts, pan-frying takes about 6 to 8 minutes per side. The exact time depends on how thick the chicken is and how hot the pan is. For larger bone-in pieces, cooking time will be longer.
How long does it take to fully cook raw chicken?
Here’s the shortest answer we can give you: Large boneless, skinless chicken breasts: 20 to 30 minutes in a 375 degrees F oven. Large bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts: 35 to 40 minutes in a 375 degrees F oven.Jan 21, 2025
Is 10 minutes enough to cook chicken?
*165˚F IS THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN MUST REACH TO BE SAFE TO EAT. 10-15 MIN.
Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?