Baking chicken at 375°F is a great way to make juicy, delicious poultry dishes. But how long should you bake chicken to ensure it’s cooked through without drying out? In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to master baking chicken at 375°F.
Overview of Baking Chicken at 375°F
Cooking chicken in a 375°F oven strikes the ideal balance between thoroughly cooking the meat while retaining moisture and tenderness. This moderate temperature gently roasts the chicken without causing the exterior to overbrown.
Baking at 375°F works well for all cuts and pieces of chicken. The cooking time, however, varies depending on the size and thickness of the chicken parts. Smaller, thinner pieces like boneless breasts require less time compared to larger, thicker cuts with bone like a whole chicken.
No matter what you’re baking, using an accurate food thermometer is crucial for determining when the chicken is fully cooked. Chicken should always reach an internal temperature of 165°F to eliminate bacteria and make it safe to eat. Never rely solely on the baking time.
Baking Times for Chicken Pieces
Here are general guidelines for how long to bake different cuts of chicken at 375°F:
-
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Bake for 30-40 minutes. These cook fastest since there’s no bone or skin to slow down cooking. Take care not to overbake or they’ll dry out.
-
Bone-in chicken breasts: Bake for 40-50 minutes. The bones conduct heat and keep the meat juicy.
-
Chicken thighs and drumsticks Bake bone-in thighs and drumsticks for 45-55 minutes. With more connective tissue they stay moist when thoroughly cooked.
-
Whole chicken: Bake a 3-4 lb whole chicken for around 60-75 minutes. Calculate roughly 20 minutes per pound, checking at least 10 minutes early.
-
Cornish game hens: Smaller game hens take 30-40 minutes to bake fully. Again, calculate about 20 minutes per pound.
Prep Tips for Juicy Baked Chicken
Properly preparing the chicken before baking makes all the difference
-
Pat chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the skin get crispy.
-
Season generously with salt, pepper, herbs and spices. Enhance flavor and moisture retention.
-
Use a dry brine by salting chicken a few hours in advance. This seasons the meat all the way through.
-
Marinate chicken in an acidic mixture. Helps tenderize and adds lots of flavor.
-
Allow chicken to reach room temp before baking for more even cooking. Take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes early.
-
Preheat oven fully before baking. A heated oven prevents drastic shifts in temp that lead to uneven cooking.
Baking Tips and Techniques
Follow these tips when baking chicken at 375°F:
-
Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet or in a shallow roasting pan, evenly spaced apart.
-
Tent chicken loosely with foil at the beginning to retain moisture, remove for last 15 minutes for crispy skin.
-
Use a meat thermometer to check temperature a few minutes before minimum baking time is up.
-
If some pieces are browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil to slow cooking.
-
Allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before carving to let juices redistribute for a juicier interior.
Common Baking Issues and Solutions
Even when carefully prepped and baked, you may run into some issues. Here are some common problems and how to solve them:
-
Chicken drying out: Brine chicken first and tent with foil to retain moisture. Don’t overcook.
-
Uneven cooking: Ensure oven is preheated fully and chicken pieces are evenly spaced on the pan.
-
Undercooked chicken: Double check internal temp with a meat thermometer. Return to oven if under 165°F.
-
Overbrowned exterior: Loosely tent chicken with foil to prevent excessive browning while interior finishes cooking.
Pairing Sides with Baked Chicken
Baked chicken pairs well with a variety of sides. Consider these flavorful pairings:
- Roasted potatoes or root vegetables
- Steamed greens like spinach or broccoli
- Pasta or grain salads
- Fresh green salad
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Skillet cornbread or dinner rolls
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
-
Allow baked chicken to cool completely before refrigerating in a sealed container. Properly stored, it will keep for 3-4 days.
-
Freeze chicken in an airtight container or bag for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
-
Reheat baked chicken gently in a 300°F oven until warm throughout and 165°F. Microwaving can make the texture rubbery.
Key Takeaways for Juicy 375°F Baked Chicken
Follow these tips for foolproof baked chicken every time:
-
Calculate baking time by cut of chicken, allowing 20 minutes per pound for whole chicken. Bone-in and larger pieces take longer.
-
Prepare chicken properly with dry brining, marinating, and letting it reach room temp.
-
Preheat oven fully before baking and use a rimmed pan for even cooking.
-
Tent chicken loosely with foil at the start if needed to prevent overbrowning.
-
Allow chicken to rest before slicing into it for maximum juiciness.
-
Check internal temp with a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. Chicken should reach 165°F.
-
Store leftovers within 2 hours and reheat gently to maintain moisture and texture.
Mastering how long to bake different cuts of chicken at 375°F helps ensure perfect, juicy results every time. With the proper method, your baked chicken will be a delicious hit at any meal!
Why This Recipe Works
Clearly, theres more than one way to cook a chicken breast: fry it, stuff it, or even blacken it, but baked chicken breasts can be used in so many different recipes. Its a kitchen skill well worth learning to master.
If youre looking for a simple, versatile recipe for baking chicken breasts without drying them out, youve come to the right place. This recipe is a great base for chicken breasts on their own as the sole protein in your meal or getting them ready to be a part of superstar dishes like chicken primavera or chicken pesto pasta.
And we dont want to forget one of our favorite ways we like to eat chicken breasts here in Texas: pan-fried. You still get that uber juicy and tender chicken breast but with a crispy golden outside any Southerner loves.
Im sure you are all too aware of how finicky this ingredient can be. One wrong move, and youve got dry, rubbery chicken no one (and I mean no one) enjoys. The good news? This recipe is beyond easy and requires no advance prep like making brine or pounding out the chicken. It yields perfectly cooked chicken breasts every single time.
Poorly cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the result of common issues home cooks often face. Weve all been there. But luckily for you, weve got the solutions.
The Problem: Overcooking.
- The Fix: Larger chicken breasts will take longer to cook, while smaller chicken breasts require less time in the oven, so check your chicken at the 25-minute mark using an instant-read thermometer to quickly assess the temperature. The chicken breasts will continue to rise and temperature by about five degrees after they have come out of the oven, so if the chicken is between 160-164°F, you can pull it. If the chicken has yet to reach the 160s, allow it to bake for a few more minutes.
The Problem: Uneven Cooking.
- The Fix: Using an oven-safe rack over a rimmed baking sheet to cook your chicken allows for air to circulate underneath and on top of your chicken. This ensures the chicken doesnt cook unevenly because it keeps the delicate chicken breast from coming into direct contact with the hot pan.
The Problem: Bland.
- The Fix: Prep your chicken in a way that keeps the seasoning in place and use plenty of it. Pat away all of the excess moisture using a paper towel, then add oil, which forms a protective coating around the chicken, keeping it from overcooking, and then add seasoning. The oil will help the seasoning to stay in place.
How Long to Bake Chicken Breasts at 375°F
Chicken breasts will take about 25-30 minutes at 375°F to cook to reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F. However, cooking time for chicken breasts is not always as cut and dry as we would like.
The time it takes for a chicken breast to cook through is dependent upon multiple factors:
- The size of the breast. Larger chicken breasts will take longer to cook, while smaller chicken breasts require less time in the oven.
- The temperature of the breast going into the oven. For example, if the chickens were to go immediately from refrigerator to oven, they would be cold going in and would take longer to cook. If you set the chickens out at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes prior to cooking and remove the chill, it will take less time to cook.
- The cooking vessel. Chickens cook slower if placed in a thick-walled, ceramic baking dish (a slow conductor of heat) than on a thin, stainless steel sheet pan (a quick conductor of heat).
Because of these variables, its always best practice to have an instant-read thermometer on hand so you can quickly assess the temperature of your chicken breasts to detect when they are ready to be pulled from the oven.
How long does it take chicken to bake at 375?
FAQ
How long does chicken at 375 take to cook?
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.
Is 375 too low to cook chicken?
Her range for cooking chicken breasts is between 375°F to 400°F, while her range for whole chickens is a bit higher, from 400°F to 425°F, with 400°F being the bullseye between the two. Chef Emshika says her experience working in kitchens points to the same temperature range.
How long do you cook chicken breast at 375?
To cook chicken breast in the oven at 375°F, you typically need to bake it for around 25-30 minutes. Make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer, with a reading of 165°F indicating that it’s fully cooked and safe to eat.
How long to cook a whole chicken at 375 degrees?
Baking a whole chicken in the oven at 375 degrees takes about 25-30 minutes per pound. For example, a 3-pound chicken would take approximately 75-120 minutes (2 * 25-30 minutes) to cook at 375°F. Is It Ok To Bake Whole Chicken At 375 Degrees?
How long does it take to cook a 375 lb chicken?
Large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked in a 375°F oven should take 20 to 30 minutes. Large bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts cooked in a 375°F oven should take 35 to 40 minutes. How long does it take to roast a 5lb chicken at 350?
Can You bake chicken breast at 375 degrees?
Baking chicken breast at 375 degrees is a popular method that results in juicy, flavorful meat with a golden brown exterior. Whether you’re a beginner cook or a seasoned chef, mastering the art of baking chicken breast at 375 degrees is a valuable skill that can elevate your culinary repertoire.
How long do you cook chicken in the oven if it’s not cooked?
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. If the chicken is not cooked to a safe internal temperature, continue baking in 5-10 minute increments until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
How long does it take to cook a whole chicken?
Baking a whole chicken in the oven at 375 degrees, covered with foil, will take the same amount of time as baking it uncovered, which is approximately 25-30 minutes. The foil allows heat to pass through and continue cooking the chicken.