Chicken Cook Time: How Long To Cook A Chicken

Have you ever wondered how long you should cook your chicken to ensure it’s safe, tasty, and tender? Well, we’ve got you covered!

In this blog post, we’ll explain how to achieve the perfect level of chicken doneness in a way that’s easy to understand for everyone, from toddlers to seasoned chefs.

Cooking chicken to the perfect doneness level is essential for taste and safety. Uncooked chicken can pose health risks, while overcooked chicken becomes dry and unappetizing.

So, whether you’re six or a grown-up, you’ll learn how to cook your chicken just right. Plus, with our help, your delicious chicken dishes will be irresistible to your taste buds and help you create a perfectly cooked chicken every time.

So let’s show you the secret to perfectly cooked chicken.

How Long To Roast Chicken In Oven?

When roasting a chicken, the key to success lies in the right balance of temperature and time. To achieve that perfectly cooked, golden, tender, and juicy roast chicken, you’d have to preheat your oven and remove the chicken from the oven when it reaches the right internal temperature.

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) for a whole chicken. A whole chicken typically roasts at this temperature for about 15 minutes per pound (about 33 minutes per kilogram). So, for a 4-pound (1.8 kg) chicken, you would roast it for approximately 60 minutes.

If you’re roasting individual chicken pieces in the oven, the cooking times can vary depending on the cut. Here are some general guidelines:

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts should be roasted at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes.
• Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks should be roasted at 425°F (220°C) for 35-40 minutes.
• Chicken Wings: Chicken wings should be roasted at 400°F (200°C) for 35-45 minutes.

Here’s how long to roast a chicken to achieve the perfect result.

How Long To Cook Chicken On Grill?

Grilling chicken is a delicious way to enjoy tender, juicy, flavorful meat with a delightful charred finish. Preheat it on high for 10-15 minutes for a gas grill. For a charcoal grill, heat the charcoal until it’s covered with white ash.

After preheating, create a two-zone fire by placing the hot coals on one side of the grill, leaving the other empty for indirect cooking.

The cooking time for chicken on a grill can vary depending on several factors, such as the chicken cut, the thickness of the pieces, the heat of the grill, and personal preferences.

A whole chicken must typically be grilled for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours at a medium heat of around 350-375°F (175-190°C).

Grilling a whole chicken typically requires indirect heat. Preheat one side of the grill and leave the other side unheated. Place the chicken on the unheated side and cook with the grill lid closed.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts grill for approximately 6-8 minutes per side over medium-high heat. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). While bone-in chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, wings), grill for approximately 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, over medium heat. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).

Here’s how long to grill a chicken to achieve the perfect result.

How Long To Cook Chicken On Skillet?

Cooking chicken on a skillet can be a convenient and versatile method that allows you to achieve delicious results. Skillet cooking allows for even heat distribution and can help create a nice sear on the chicken, resulting in flavorful and moist meat.

The cooking time for chicken on a skillet can vary depending on the size and cut of the chicken, as well as the desired level of doneness.

However, as a general guideline, boneless, skinless chicken breasts typically take about 6-8 minutes per side to cook through on medium-high heat. It’s important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.

The cooking time for bone-in chicken pieces, such as thighs or drumsticks, may be slightly longer. It’s recommended to cook bone-in chicken pieces for approximately 8-10 minutes per side on medium-high heat or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

How to Cook Whole Chicken on a Cast Iron

Discover how this age-old cooking method can result in a chicken that's perfectly crispy on the outside, while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. You'll gain insight into important aspects such as seasoning, heat control, and roasting time.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, sliced in half
• Fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
• 2 tablespoons of butter

Instructions

 

• Start by removing the chicken from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. This helps to remove any excess moisture on the chicken and ensures that it browns evenly.
• Next, remove the giblets from inside the chicken if they are included. The giblets are usually found in a small bag inside the chicken’s cavity. Discard the giblets or save them for another recipe if desired.
• Season the chicken generously with salt and black pepper. Be sure to season the entire chicken, including the cavity and under the skin.
• Mix the minced garlic and olive oil in a small bowl. Rub the garlic oil all over the chicken, getting it into the nooks and crannies. This adds a delicious garlicky flavor and helps the skin to crisp up.
• Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the lemon halves and fresh herbs. This infuses the chicken with a bright, citrusy flavor and adds depth to the dish.
• Truss the chicken by tying its legs together with kitchen twine. This helps the chicken to cook more evenly and keeps it from flopping around on the skillet.
• Allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This ensures that the chicken cooks more evenly and helps retain its moisture.
• The next thing to do is preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and place a cast iron skillet in the oven to heat up.
• Once the skillet is hot, add the butter and let it melt, making sure to coat the bottom evenly.
• Carefully place the seasoned chicken on the skillet, breast side up. You should hear a sizzling sound, which means the chicken is searing and will result in crispy skin.
• Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 45-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured at the thickest part of the meat with a meat thermometer.
• Baste the chicken with the melted butter in the skillet every 15-20 minutes. This helps to keep the chicken moist and adds extra flavor.
• Once the chicken is cooked, please remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and juicy meat.

Notes

• Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and juicy meat.
• Use a sharp knife to carve the chicken. A dull knife will tear the meat and make it harder to carve.
• Begin by removing the legs and thighs. Hold the chicken steady with a fork and cut through the joint where the thigh meets the body.
• Remove the breast meat by cutting through the breastbone and then slicing the meat away from the bone. Cut the breast meat into slices or serve it whole.
• For a beautiful presentation, serve the chicken on a platter or individual plates, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon slices.

Keyword Cast Iron, minced garlic

How Long To Cook Breaded Chicken?

Breaded chicken refers to chicken pieces coated in a mixture of bread crumbs and often other ingredients such as flour, eggs, and seasonings. The breading process helps create a crispy outer layer when the chicken is cooked.

Breaded chicken can be fried, baked, or even air fried and is the basis for many beloved dishes like chicken parmesan, chicken nuggets, chicken katsu, and chicken schnitzel.

The cooking time for breaded chicken can vary based on the cooking method and the size of the chicken pieces. Here are some general guidelines:

• Frying: If you’re frying breaded chicken pieces, such as chicken tenders or nuggets, they generally take about 3-5 minutes per side in heated oil to around 350°F (175°C).
• Baking: If you’re baking breaded chicken, like breaded chicken breasts, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Air frying: If you’re air frying breaded chicken, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Smaller pieces like nuggets or tenders should take about 8-10 minutes, while larger pieces like a breaded chicken breast could take 12-15 minutes.

For all these methods, always ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.

Texas Roadhouse Herb Crusted Chicken Recipe

This recipe involves coating boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a mixture of flour and spices, then topping them with a blend of Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and fresh herbs. The chicken is then drizzled with melted butter and baked in the oven until cooked through. The recipe takes about 30-35 minutes to make and yields 4 servings. The dish can be served as a main course with your favorite sides, and can be customized to your preferred level of spice.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Equipment

• Baking dish
• Mixing bowl
• Cutting board
• knife
• Cooking spray
• Meat thermometer

Ingredients

  

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Coat the chicken breasts in the flour mixture and place them in a greased baking dish.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, chives, and thyme.
• Sprinkle the herb mixture over the chicken breasts.
• Drizzle the melted butter over the chicken and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• For a crispy crust, you can broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
• If you don’t have all the fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs instead.
• You can also add more or less cayenne pepper depending on your preferred level of spice.

Keyword Herb Crusted Chicken, Texas Roadhouse

To wrap up, mastering the cooking time for various chicken cuts and cooking methods is essential for anyone aiming to prepare mouthwatering chicken dishes. Whether grilling a whole chicken, baking chicken breasts, or frying breaded chicken pieces, always check the internal temperature for food safety.

Remember, the golden rule is to ensure your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). A reliable meat thermometer is your best friend in this endeavor.

With this guide on the perfect cooking times for chicken, you’re well-equipped to bring out the best in this versatile protein and serve delicious and safe dishes.