Cooking chicken can seem daunting, especially when it comes to determining the right temperature and cook times. When using an oven temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit, proper timing is key to ensuring your chicken turns out juicy, tender and safe to eat.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about cooking chicken at 400°F. You’ll learn about optimal cook times for various cuts of chicken, tips for locking in moisture, recommended internal temperatures, and more.
Follow these simple guidelines and you’ll be able to confidently cook chicken to perfection every time using a 400 degree F oven.
Factors That Affect Cook Times
Before diving into specifics it’s important to understand what impacts total cook time. The major factors include
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Type and cut of chicken: Breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings and whole chickens all require different cook times.
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Weight/thickness The heavier and thicker the chicken the longer it takes to cook.
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Bone-in or boneless: Chicken cooked on the bone takes longer than boneless.
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Marinades: Acidic marinades used for flavor can slightly shorten cook time.
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Cookware: Dark pans absorb heat and may reduce cook time compared to light pans.
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Altitude: Higher altitudes require slightly longer cook times.
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Food safety: Chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Keeping these variables in mind, let’s look at estimated cook times for different cuts and sizes of chicken.
Recommended Cook Times
Whole Chicken
A whole 3-4 lb chicken takes the longest to roast. Plan on:
- 60-75 minutes for a 3 lb chicken
- 75-90 minutes for a 4 lb chicken
To check for doneness, insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. It should register 165°F when done.
Bone-in Chicken Pieces
Chicken that still has the bone in will take longer than boneless pieces. Expect it to require:
- 45-60 minutes for bone-in breasts
- 35-50 minutes for drumsticks or thighs
Once again, use a thermometer to confirm 165°F. Also, prick the chicken with a fork and check that juices run clear.
Boneless Chicken Breasts
Boneless breasts are quickest to bake but also easiest to overcook. Plan for:
- 15-25 minutes for 4 oz breasts
- 25-35 minutes for 8 oz breasts
Check for doneness at 165°F and that juices are no longer pink when pierced.
Chicken Tenderloins
These extra lean cuts require the least time in the oven. Allot:
- 10-15 minutes for 2-3 oz tenderloins
- 15-20 minutes for 4-5 oz tenderloins
Cook until 165°F and cut to check for opaque, white meat throughout.
Tips for Keeping Chicken Moist
Chicken dries out easily, especially lean boneless breasts. Here are some tips for keeping it tender and juicy:
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Brine chicken first – Soaking in a saltwater brine hydrates the meat.
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Use a meat thermometer – Don’t overcook; pull at 165°F.
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Sear or brown before roasting – This seals in moisture.
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Cook at a high temp – 400°F is ideal; lower temps dry out chicken.
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Let it rest afterwards – Resting allows juices to redistribute.
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Add liquid to the pan – Try adding broth, wine or water.
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Coat with oil or butter – This bastes the meat during cooking.
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Cook bone-in over boneless – The bones add moisture during roasting.
Roasting vs. Baking Chicken
While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some differences:
Roasting
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Uses high, dry heat – around 400°F
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Cooks meat, poultry and vegetables
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Produces browned exterior
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Meat is seasoned before roasting
Baking
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Employs lower, moist heat – about 350°F
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Best for baked goods like breads, cakes, casseroles
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Yields softer textures
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Batters and doughs are used
For chicken, roasting is preferred over baking to achieve ideal texture.
Chicken Safety and Doneness
It’s vital to cook chicken to safe internal temperatures in order to destroy any harmful bacteria.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check temperature.
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Chicken should reach 165°F at the thickest part.
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If undercooked, return to the oven until 165°F is reached.
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Let rest at least 5 minutes before cutting into it.
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Check that juices run clear and meat is white throughout.
Following these guidelines ensures your chicken is perfectly cooked and safe to enjoy!
Tips for Flavorful, Juicy Chicken
To take your chicken to the next level, consider these flavor-boosting tips:
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Marinate ahead of time – Soak chicken in marinades or buttermilk.
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Season generously – Inside and out with spices, herbs, garlic.
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Add aromatics to the pan – Try lemon, herbs, garlic, onions.
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Coat with a flavorful fat – Brush with oil, butter or pan drippings.
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Use a rub or spice blend – Cajun seasoning gives big flavor.
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Roast with veggies – Carrots, potatoes, onions add nice flavor.
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Garnish with fresh herbs – Chives, parsley, cilantro brighten flavor.
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Sear before roasting – This locks in juice and enhances flavor.
Cooking chicken in a 400 degree F oven can seem intimidating if you don’t understand proper cook times. But armed with the details above, you can confidently roast chicken to perfection. Keep the tips for moisture, safety and flavor in mind, and you’ll enjoy juicy, tender chicken every time.
Follow the guidelines for your preferred cut of chicken, use a meat thermometer for doneness and employ a few flavor tricks. Soon, you’ll be serving up restaurant-quality chicken entrées at home with ease using a simple 400 degree oven.
How to get Crispy Skin On My Baked Chicken Breasts?
My favorite Sage Air Fryer!
It’s easy to achieve a crispy skin on your chicken in the oven or air fryer. If you want a really crispy skin on your chicken then you should broil your chicken for the last 2 or 3 minutes of cooking. Your chicken will cook faster on broil so if you want a crispy skin I would suggest starting to broil once the internal temperature of your chicken breast has reached 155 f.
You can also use your air fryer to crisp up the skin on your chicken, but depending on the size of your air fryer you may have to do only one or two at a time. This might not be a great option if you are cooking for the whole family, but if you are just cooking for yourself or warming up your left overs, then the air fryer is a great option.
How to use a meat thermometer to achieve a perfectly cooked chicken breast
There are several types of meat thermometers on the market today.
Some higher end ovens have the kind that you can plug into a port in the oven. You place one end in the oven port and the other end is a probe that you insert into your meat. It stays in the oven with your meat and constantly measures the temperature of your meat and outputs the temperature to the screen on the front of your oven. Most of these ovens allow you to set the desired temperature that you would like the meat to get to and then the oven will alert you that the meat has reached the internal temperature that you set. This type of thermometer is spectacular for cooking all types of meat including chicken breasts to perfection.
If you don’t have an oven equipped with this technology you can achieve the same type of situation by using an smart wireless meat thermometer that works with your smart phone or with an external display. There are many of these on the market for smokers, but they also work in an oven. The most popular ones are the MEATER probe or the ThermoPro TempSpike. With these you insert a probe into the meat, and then the probe transmits the temperature to an external monitor or your smart phone. We will get into more detail on these probes in our post on the best external meat probes.
I also want to talk about the standard traditional meat thermometer. These are not fancy. They come in electronic or non-electronic versions. They are just thermometers that you insert into the meat periodically while cooking. They can be digital or non-digital and they do the same job, you just have to open the oven and place them in the meat every so often when you think the meat is close to being done. So, for instance, if you are baking your chicken breast at 400 f and you expect it to take about 20 minutes for the chicken breasts to be cooked, then at about 15 minutes you would open the oven and check on the temperature of the chicken breasts. If they are getting close to being done, which is 165 f but they aren’t quite there yet, then you would want to check again in a few minutes. The only drawback to a traditional thermometer like these is that every time you open your oven you will lose some heat from it and it may need to get back up to temp.
How long does chicken take to bake at 400?
FAQ
How long to cook chicken on 400?
Is 400 too high to bake chicken?
What’s the best oven temperature for chicken breast? The best temperature is 200°C (400°F)—hot enough for browning, but not too high to dry it out.
How long to cook chicken on a 400 grill?
How long to roast chicken at 400 degrees?
How long do you cook a whole chicken at 400 degrees?
Yes, you can cook chicken legs and thighs at 400 degrees. The ideal cooking time for bone-in chicken legs and thighs is approximately 45-50 minutes. 2. How long do I cook a whole chicken at 400 degrees? For a whole chicken, cooking time at 400 degrees will typically range between 60-75 minutes, depending on the weight of the chicken.
Can You bake chicken breast at 400 degrees?
When you bake chicken breast in the oven at 400 degrees it allows you to enjoy a nice, juicy, and delicious chicken breast. The amount of time it takes for the chicken breast to bake in the oven may vary depending on your oven, the size of your chicken, and if it is frozen or thawed.
How long do you cook boneless chicken breast at 400?
Bake your boneless, skinless chicken breasts at 400 degrees in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until they’re no longer pink. Is 400 too Hot for Chicken?
How long does it take to cook a whole chicken?
Below are the recommended cooking times for various chicken cuts. Cooking a whole chicken at 400°F is a popular method that results in crispy skin and tender meat. Cooking Time: A whole chicken typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes to cook thoroughly at this temperature.
How long do you cook chicken thighs at 400 degrees?
A: The best way to cook chicken breasts at 400°F (200°C) is to season them with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs and spices, and then bake them in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Q: Can I cook chicken thighs at 400°F (200°C) for a longer period of time?
Should you cook chicken at 400°F?
When cooking chicken at 400°F, you’re essentially roasting it, which gives a lovely brown exterior while locking in moisture. The choice of cookware can impact how your chicken cooks. Here are some options to consider: Oven-safe Skillet: Ideal for those who want to sear their chicken before roasting.