Cooking chicken in a convection oven can seem intimidating for many home cooks. However, with the right techniques, you can achieve delicious, juicy and evenly cooked chicken every time. In this article, we will walk through the basics of cooking chicken in a convection oven, from understanding how it works to step-by-step instructions and tips for success.
What is a Convection Oven and How Does it Work?
A convection oven has a built-in fan that circulates hot air around the interior of the oven This air circulation promotes even cooking and browning by eliminating cool spots found in traditional ovens The consistent temperature surrounding the food shortens cooking times and can enhance flavors.
When cooking chicken in a convection oven, the circulating hot air cooks the meat evenly from all sides. This results in a crispy browned exterior while keeping the interior tender and juicy. The convection fan also reduces cooking times by roughly 25% compared to conventional ovens.
Benefits of Cooking Chicken in a Convection Oven
There are several advantages to using a convection oven for cooking chicken:
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Even cooking: The circulating hot air ensures no undercooked or overcooked parts.
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Faster cooking: Reduced cooking times get dinner on the table quicker.
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Crispier skin The all-around heat helps the skin brown beautifully
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Juicy meat: Quick cooking retains moisture for tender meat.
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Enhanced flavors: Circulation carries seasonings throughout the chicken.
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Food safety: Thorough, even cooking eliminates bacteria.
Tips for Cooking Chicken in a Convection Oven
Follow these tips for crispy, juicy, and delicious convection oven chicken every time:
1. Adjust Temperature and Time
Reduce temperature by 25°F compared to recipes for standard ovens. Also, check for doneness earlier since convection ovens cook faster.
2. Use a Meat Thermometer
Cooking to the proper internal temperature ensures safety and prevents overcooking. Whole chicken and breasts should reach 165°F.
3. Allow Proper Airflow
Avoid overcrowding to allow air circulation. Use pans with low sides and place chicken pieces in a single layer.
4. Preheat Thoroughly
Fully preheating is key for even cooking right from the start. Most ovens take 10-15 minutes to preheat fully.
5. Use a Roasting Rack
Elevating whole chickens on a rack promotes airflow all around for optimum crispiness.
6. Dry Skin Thoroughly
Pat chicken dry before cooking for crisper skin. Wet skin steams instead of browning.
7. Brine or Marinate
Brining or marinating adds flavor and moisture to lean chicken breasts.
8. Lightly Oil Skin
Brushing skin lightly with oil enhances browning. Avoid thick coatings that can make skin soggy.
9. Season Generously
Salt, pepper, herbs and spices add flavor. Consider seasoning under the skin too.
10. Let Chicken Rest
Allowing chicken to rest after roasting allows juices to redistribute so meat stays moist.
Step-by-Step Guide for Roasting a Whole Chicken
Follow this simple guide for juicy, evenly cooked whole roast chicken from your convection oven:
1. Prepare the Chicken
Remove giblets and pat chicken dry. Tuck wing tips behind back. Lightly coat skin with oil or butter and season all over with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with lemon, garlic and herbs if desired.
2. Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 325°F (25°F lower than standard oven). Ensure oven is fully preheated before adding chicken.
3. Use a Roasting Rack
Place chicken breast-side up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. The rack elevates it to promote airflow.
4. Calculate Cook Time
Figure 15-20 minutes per pound at 325°F. For a 4 lb chicken, cook 60-80 minutes.
5. Roast Chicken
Roast in preheated oven, basting occasionally with pan drippings if desired.
6. Test for Doneness
Temperature should reach 165°F in thickest part of breast and thigh. Juices should run clear.
7. Allow to Rest
Let chicken rest 15-20 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
8. Carve and Serve
Carve chicken and serve immediately. Enjoy your tender, juicy roast chicken!
Cooking Times for Chicken Parts
When cooking bone-in parts or boneless breasts, the cooking process is similar but the times are shorter.
Bone-in Chicken Parts
- Chicken thighs: 40-50 minutes at 325°F
- Chicken drumsticks: 35-45 minutes at 325°F
Boneless Chicken Breasts
- 6-8 oz each: 18-22 minutes at 325°F
- 4 oz each: 13-16 minutes at 325°F
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Allow pieces to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Convection Oven Chicken Recipes to Try
The convection oven allows you to make all kinds of delicious chicken entrees easily. Here are some must-try recipes:
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Simple Roasted Chicken with Herbs – a basic roasted bird coated in garlic, thyme, rosemary
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Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts – marinated in lemon, olive oil and oregano
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Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings – baked, not fried, for guilt-free game day snacking
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Chicken Fajitas – quick roasted peppers and onions topped with chicken breast strips
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Chicken Parmesan – breaded chicken breast baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella
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Chicken Tikka Masala – in an easy skillet-to-oven method
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Teriyaki Chicken – baked chicken thighs in a sweet and salty Japanese marinade
Cooking chicken in a convection oven results in crispier skin, juicier meat, and fabulous flavor in much less time than a standard oven. Follow the temperature, time, and technique tips outlined to get picture-perfect roast chicken and chicken pieces your whole family will love. With a little practice, you can master convection oven chicken cooking.
Looking for more chicken recipes?
- Begin by seasoning the chicken and let it sit out of the refrigerator for at least an hour before cooking. Spreading some softened butter mixed with your preferred seasoning, under the skin and on the skin will yield a flavorful bird with crisper skin.
- Be sure to roast the chicken on a rack in a shallow pan, this ensures the juices stay in the bird and allows the heated air to circulate around the chicken, cooking it evenly.
- No need to tie the legs up tight, just poke a skewer through the legs to balance the chicken. If the legs are tied too close to the body the cooking time will need to be increased for the heat to penetrate into that area, resulting in a drier bird.
- Always begin by arranging the oven racks to accommodate all the dishes you plan to cook in the oven.
- Heat the oven in the Convection Roast or Convection Bake mode 400 degrees and roast the chicken for 15 minutes. Decrease the oven temperature to 350 degrees for the remainder of the cooking time, approximately 45 minutes. Baste the chicken halfway through to help crisp the skin.
- Because Convection cooks from the edge to the center, if the temperature is too high you risk overcooking the edges while the center may not be cooked through.
- Plan approximately 1 hour for roasting a 4 – 5lb chicken and add 10 minutes resting time and 5 – 8 minutes carving time. Plan approximately 45 minutes for smaller chickens. Remember the internal temperature will rise by about 10 degrees while the chicken is resting so it’s safe to take it out of the oven once the internal temperature registers 165 degrees.
- When carving the chicken if you notice a little redness in and around the bone don’t be alarmed, this is a characteristic of Convection cooking. As long as the meat is cooked this is perfectly safe.
- Plan the cooking time for the oven side dishes so they will be ready to serve when the chicken has rested, been carved and is ready to serve.
Disclaimer: Convection Kitchen is not affiliated to “Print Recipe” or “View Recipe” Ads.
YOUR RECIPE FOR CONVECTION COOKING!
A chicken roasted in Convection will be incredibly flavorful and juicy, very easy to cook and best of all you can cook several oven side dishes at the same time for an easy delicious meal. The important things to consider are which oven mode to use, what type of pan to use, timing including resting and the ideal temperature.
There are some important tips to ensure success that generally won’t be included in the recipe because recipes don’t reference the tools we are cooking with.
1 4-5lb fresh chicken
4 tbsp softened unsalted butter mixed with
1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning (the paprika in this seasoning gives the chicken a nice color)
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1 small peeled yellow onion to stuff into the cavity
2 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary
How to Roast a Chicken In Convection
FAQ
How do you cook a chicken in a convection oven?
Heat the oven in the Convection Roast or Convection Bake mode 400 degrees and roast the chicken for 15 minutes. Decrease the oven temperature to 350 degrees for the remainder of the cooking time, approximately 45 minutes. Baste the chicken halfway through to help crisp the skin.
Is it better to cook chicken in a convection oven or regular oven?
Convection is a great choice for cooking lean cuts of meat such as chicken breast because convection circulates heated air around the oven preserving the natural moisture in food.
What should you not use when cooking in the convection oven?
When Should You NOT use A Convection Oven? Some baking items that are delicate, like flan or cheesecake. Things that start with a batter that you don’t want it to blow around too much, or have the excess browning would probably be most suitable in a conventional oven.
Is baking in a convection oven the same as air frying?
The convection oven uses hot circulating air to cook. but the air fryer uses a stronger stream of circuiting air to cook. so it cooks faster, for one. where the oven convection or radiant will take longer to do the same thing and usually will dry the food out more.
How do you cook chicken in a convection oven?
Roasting is a classic method for cooking whole chickens or large pieces, like chicken breasts or thighs. The hot air circulation in a convection oven ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and the skin becomes beautifully crispy. Start skin-side down: Place the chicken skin-side down on a roasting rack in a baking pan.
Can you cook frozen chicken in a convection oven?
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken in a convection oven, but it will take longer than cooking thawed chicken. Make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Should I cover the chicken while cooking in a convection oven? It’s not necessary to cover the chicken when cooking in a convection oven.
How long does it take to cook chicken breast in a convection oven?
Originally Published April 16, 2019. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation. The best way to bake chicken breasts is with your convection oven, ready in about 30 minutes—healthy, moist, and tender every time.
How to roast a chicken in convection?
The best way to roast a chicken in Convection is to roast it on a rack in a shallow pan. Since shallow-sided roasting pans with a rack are hard to find, the best solution is to use a rimmed baking sheet with a rack. There are several reasons why the rack is so essential.
How long does it take to cook a chicken in the oven?
Once the oven is preheated, place the chicken in the oven and set the timer according to the size and type of chicken you’re cooking. For a whole chicken, the cooking time can range from 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the size of the bird. For chicken breasts, the cooking time is usually around 25 to 30 minutes.
How does a convection oven work?
The hot air circulation in a convection oven ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and the skin becomes beautifully crispy. Convection ovens are becoming increasingly popular in kitchens worldwide, and for good reason. Their ability to circulate hot air evenly results in faster cooking times, crispier results, and often, more flavorful dishes.