Our simple Roast Chicken recipe is moist, flavorful, and makes a beautiful meal with little effort. It only takes 15 minutes to prep and is baked in a pan with roasted vegetables.
It can be hard to cook chicken, especially when you don’t know how long to cook it for. How long it takes depends on a number of things, such as the type and size of the chicken, the cooking method, and whether it is stuffed or not. As a general rule, chicken should be cooked for 15 minutes per pound. However, the timing can vary slightly depending on other factors. You will learn everything you need to know about how long to cook different types of chicken cuts and sizes using different cooking methods in this complete guide.
Why Cooking Time Per Pound Matters
The weight and thickness are the most important factors that determine chicken cooking times. A larger, thicker cut will require more time to cook through to a safe internal temperature compared to a smaller, thinner piece. Cooking for the recommended time per pound ensures that the chicken reaches the proper temperature to kill any potential bacteria without overcooking the meat and drying it out.
It also prevents undercooking which poses a health risk. So, while cooking times can be a little different depending on other factors, the minutes per pound rule is a good place to start to make sure your chicken is cooked perfectly.
Estimated Cooking Times Per Pound
Here are general guidelines for cooking times per pound for different chicken cuts using various cooking methods:
- Whole chicken (not stuffed): 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F
- Bone-in chicken pieces: 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F
- Boneless chicken breasts: 8-12 minutes per pound at 350°F
- Boneless chicken thighs: 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F
- Ground chicken: 7-10 minutes per pound at 350°F
For example, a 2 lb whole chicken would take 30-40 minutes to roast in the oven. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts weighing 1 lb would take 8-12 minutes to cook through on the stove or grill.
Always use a food thermometer to confirm the chicken has reached 165°F internally before removing it from the heat source. The timing per pound is a guide, but the thermometer reading guarantees doneness.
Factors That Affect Chicken Cooking Times
While the minutes per pound rule provides a good starting point, other factors can slightly alter the total cooking time needed, including:
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Cooking method: Grilling, frying, baking and broiling cook chicken faster than roasting or poaching.
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Bone-in vs boneless: Bone-in chicken can take slightly longer than boneless pieces.
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Temperature: Higher oven or grill temps will decrease cook time.
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Size and shape: Uniform sizes and thicknesses will cook most evenly.
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Stuffing: Stuffed chicken can take up to 30 minutes longer than unstuffed.
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Brining: Soaking in a saltwater brine hydrates the meat, which can marginally reduce cooking time.
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Frozen vs thawed: Frozen chicken can take 50% longer to cook through. Always thaw fully before cooking.
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Altitude: At higher altitudes above 3,000 feet, you may need to increase cooking time slightly.
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Doneness: Cook chicken until it registers 165°F internally and the juices run clear.
Cooking Times for Whole Chicken
For roasting or baking a whole unstuffed chicken in the oven, use these time guidelines:
- 2-3 lbs: 45-60 minutes
- 3-4 lbs: 60-75 minutes
- 4-5 lbs: 75-90 minutes
- 5-6 lbs: 90-105 minutes
Reduce oven temperature to 325°F if chicken starts to brown too quickly. For a stuffed chicken, increase cooking time by 15 minutes per pound. Always verify internal temp with a meat thermometer in the thickest part.
You can also spatchcock the chicken (remove backbone and flatten) which cuts roasting time nearly in half. Spatchcocking allows it to cook more evenly.
Cooking Times for Chicken Parts
For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, figure 8-12 minutes per pound at 350°F on the stove, in the oven or grill.
With the bone and skin intact, chicken thighs and drumsticks take closer to 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F cooked in the oven or on the grill.
For 7 to 10 minutes per pound, cook ground chicken in a 350°F oven until it registers 165°F on the inside.
Halve the per-pound cooking times if using a hot grill or broiler around 450-500°F. Always check temperature doneness before serving.
Helpful Tips
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Let roasted chicken rest at least 5 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
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Avoid opening the oven door frequently, which can increase cook times.
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For even cooking, put the chicken on a baking sheet or roasting pan with a rack that lets air flow around it.
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Brine chicken in a saltwater solution before roasting or grilling for added moisture and flavor.
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Coat chicken with oil or rub with spices/herbs to boost flavor and browning.
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Cut uniform, evenly-sized pieces of chicken when cooking bone-in parts to ensure even doneness.
Key Takeaways
Cooking chicken properly to a safe internal temperature is important for health, while avoiding overcooking keeps the meat tender and juicy. Follow these minutes per pound guidelines for perfectly cooked chicken every time:
- Whole chicken: 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F
- Bone-in pieces: 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F
- Boneless breasts: 8-12 minutes per pound at 350°F
- Boneless thighs: 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F
- Ground chicken: 7-10 minutes per pound at 350°F
Monitor temperature with a food thermometer for 165°F. Let rest before serving. Adjust cook times as needed based on size, method, bone-in vs boneless and other factors. Mastering the minutes per pound technique helps remove the guesswork for cooking chicken perfectly every time.
Roast Chicken simple enough for a cozy weeknight.
I love how effortless and fool-proof it is to make a beautiful roast chicken at home. All you need to a simple herb butter and some chopped veggies; theres no brining or complicated culinary steps involved. Best of all its a meal your whole family will love! Remember to keep the leftover chicken carcass to make homemade chicken stock for other recipes, like our chicken noodle soup!.
How to Roast a Chicken:
Prep Chicken: If using a frozen chicken, it needs to be completely thaw before using. Remove raw chicken from packaging. Remove the neck and giblets from the cavity (discard them away or use them to make chicken gravy). Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
Make herb butter by combining butter, lemon zest, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Loosen the skin around the chicken breasts and spread herb butter under it and on top of the meat. Sprinkle salt and pepper all over the outside and spread with more herb butter over the outside. Smear any leftover butter inside the cavity. Cut lemons in half and place inside.
Roast: Add chopped vegetables to the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish and drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper on top. Place chicken on top of vegetables and roast chicken uncovered at 450°F for 10-15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F then cook for 20 minutes per pound, or until the chicken is 165°F on a food thermometer. The chicken should be golden brown and the juices should be clear and sizzling. Remove it from the oven, tent with foil to keep warm and rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Carve and Serve: Carve the crispy roast chicken and serve with the roasted vegetables. Use the pan drippings to make chicken gravy. We love to serve roast chicken dinner with my favorite homemade rolls and apple pecan salad.
How long do you roast a chicken per pound?
FAQ
How long do you cook a whole chicken?
When cooking a whole chicken, it is important to follow proper cooking times to ensure that it is cooked thoroughly and reaches a safe temperature. The general rule of thumb is to cook a whole chicken for 20 minutes per pound at 350°F (175°C).
How long do you cook chicken thighs at 375?
Use a meat thermometer; the internal temperature must hit 165°F (75°C). Chicken breasts need about 30 minutes per pound if you’re baking them at 375°F (190°C). For a single pound, that comes to about 30 to 35 minutes. Check for doneness to avoid serving rubbery chicken. Cook chicken thighs for about 30 to 40 minutes per pound at 375°F (190°C).
How long do you cook chicken on a grill?
Grill over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes on each side. Flip only once for those perfect grill marks. Check the temperature for doneness. Try boiling chicken for quick meals. Submerge in cold water, add salt, and bring to a boil. Let it simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size. Shred the chicken for salads or tacos.
How long does it take to cook chicken in a crock pot?
Check the temperature for doneness. Try boiling chicken for quick meals. Submerge in cold water, add salt, and bring to a boil. Let it simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size. Shred the chicken for salads or tacos. Use the leftover broth for soups. Get creative with slow cooking chicken.
How long do you cook chicken in a slow cooker?
Season and place it in the slow cooker with your favorites. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. Enjoy tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken with zero effort. Experiment with sautéing for a fast dinner. Heat oil in a skillet, and add chicken pieces. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes on each side over medium heat.
How long do you cook a chicken per pound?
As a general rule, roast a whole chicken at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes per pound, plus another 15 to 20 minutes.
Is it better to roast chicken at 350 or 400?
You can roast chicken at either 350°F or 400°F, but the best temperature depends on what you want to happen. 350°F is better for ensuring even cooking and retaining moisture, especially for larger pieces like whole chickens. Recipes suggest that a lower temperature results in a more tender and juicy chicken.
How long to bake 1 lb of chicken at 350 degrees?
Whole chickens are typically started at a high temperature like 425 degrees F to crisp the skin, then lowered to a temperature around 350 degrees F. For every pound of chicken that you put in the oven, it will take twenty to twenty-five minutes to cook.
How long to cook a 4lb chicken at 350 degrees?