How Long Does Chicken Take to Cook? A Complete Guide

Chicken is a versatile and healthy meat that is a staple in many households Knowing how long to cook chicken is important to ensure it is safe to eat and tastes juicy and delicious The cooking time can vary significantly depending on the cut and preparation method. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through exactly how long chicken takes to cook using various techniques.

Overview of Chicken Cooking Times

The cooking time for chicken depends on several factors:

• Cut of chicken Whole chicken takes longer than chicken breasts or thighs Bone-in pieces take longer than boneless

• Preparation method: Grilling, pan-frying, baking, poaching etc. all require different cooking times.

• Thickness and size: Larger, thicker cuts of chicken require more time than smaller, thinner pieces.

• Bone-in or boneless: Bone-in chicken takes longer to cook than boneless pieces. The bones act as insulation slowing down the cooking.

• Temperature: Higher oven temperatures shorten cooking time. Grilling over high vs. medium heat impacts time.

• Food safety Chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to eliminate bacteria

As a general guideline, boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs take 15-25 minutes to cook depending on thickness. Bone-in chicken pieces take 25-40 minutes. A whole chicken can take over an hour to roast. Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness instead of relying solely on cook times.

Whole Roasting Chicken

Roasting a whole chicken in the oven results in crisp, golden skin and tender, juicy meat. Use these cook times as a guide:

• 2 1⁄2 – 3 pounds: Bake at 375°F for 1 – 1 1⁄4 hours
• 3 1⁄2 – 4 pounds: Bake at 375°F for 1 1⁄4 – 1 1⁄2 hours
• 4 1⁄2 – 5 pounds: Bake at 375°F for 1 3⁄4 – 2 hours

The chicken is fully cooked once the thigh meat reaches 175°F on a meat thermometer. Let the roasted chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Grilled Chicken

During grilling, the hot air circulates around the chicken sealing in moisture and adding delicious char. Cook times for grilling boneless chicken at a medium heat:

• Chicken breast halves: 15-18 minutes, turning halfway
• Chicken thighs: 12-15 minutes, turning halfway

For bone-in chicken pieces, cook times are:

• 2 1⁄2 – 3 pound whole chicken: Grill for 1 – 1 1⁄4 hours
• 3 1⁄2 – 4 pound whole chicken: Grill for 1 1⁄4 – 1 3⁄4 hours
• 4 1⁄2 – 5 pound whole chicken: Grill for 1 3⁄4 – 2 hours

Use tongs to flip chicken gently halfway through grilling. Meat thermometer should read 165°F.

Baked Chicken Pieces

Baking chicken pieces like bone-in breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings in the oven is a quick and easy cooking method. Cook at 375°F to the following internal temperatures:

• Chicken breasts: Bake for 45-50 mins until 165°F
• Chicken thighs and drumsticks: Bake 40-55 mins until 175°F
• Chicken wings: Bake 25-35 mins until 165°F

Brush chicken with oil or rub on spices beforehand for more flavor. The skin will become crispy and browned in the dry oven heat.

Pan-Seared Chicken

To cook chicken in a skillet on the stovetop, use medium-high heat with a bit of oil. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Approximate pan-searing times:

• Boneless breasts: 8-12 mins per side
• Boneless thighs: 6-8 mins per side
• Bone-in thighs: 8-11 mins per side
• Bone-in breasts: 11-15 mins per side

Flattening the chicken to an even thickness will help it cook faster and more evenly in the pan. Let it rest 5 minutes before serving.

Poached Chicken

Poaching chicken involves gently simmering it in liquid like broth, water, or wine until cooked through. Use low heat and keep the liquid just barely bubbling.

• Boneless breasts: Simmer for 12-15 minutes
• Bone-in breasts: Simmer for around 30 minutes
• Boneless thighs: Simmer 10-15 minutes

The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the meat is no longer pink inside. Poached chicken stays incredibly moist.

Chicken Soup and Stew

When making chicken noodle soup, stew, or another liquid-based dish, the chicken is gently simmered until fully cooked and tender.

• Boneless breasts: Simmer 15-20 minutes
• Bone-in thighs: Simmer 25-30 minutes
• Drumsticks: Simmer 25-35 minutes

The long, gentle cooking time ensures the chicken becomes fall-off-the-bone tender and infuses the broth with flavor. Use a thermometer to check 165°F.

Rotisserie Chicken

Store-bought rotisserie chickens are roasted for an extended time on a rotating spit which allows the meat to baste in its own juices. It takes about:

• 1 hour 15 mins to cook a 3-pound chicken
• 1 hour 30 mins for a 4-pound chicken
• 1 hour 45 mins for a 5-pound chicken

The chickens are cooked until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180°F as measured by the store. Let rest at least 10 minutes before carving.

Fried Chicken

Deep frying or pan frying in oil results in crispy, golden chicken. Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature:

• 350°F for boneless chicken pieces, fry 8-12 minutes
• 325°F for bone-in chicken pieces, fry 12-18 minutes

Fry chicken in batches to maintain oil temperature. Chicken is fully cooked when it registers 165°F internally after frying.

Air Fryer Chicken

Air fryers use super hot, circulating air to produce crispy, browned chicken without all the oil. Cook times for raw chicken in a 375°F air fryer:

• Boneless breasts: 5-9 mins per side
• Boneless thighs: 6-10 mins per side
• Bone-in thighs: 9-11 mins per side
• Bone-in breasts: 12-15 mins per side

Flip chicken halfway during cooking. Air fryers yield delicious chicken with significantly less oil than deep frying.

Breaded and Processed Chicken

Breaded chicken like nuggets, patties, and tenders have a coating that steams the meat during cooking. Always cook frozen chicken products thoroughly:

• Chicken nuggets: Bake 15-20 mins at 400°F
• Chicken patties: Bake 18-22 mins at 375°F
• Chicken tenders: Bake or air fry 12-15 mins at 375°F

The breading should become crisp and golden brown when the chicken inside reaches 165°F. Never eat undercooked processed chicken.

General Tips for Cooking Chicken

Follow these tips for foolproof, flavorful chicken every time:

• Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying on cook times.

• Let chicken rest at least 5 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.

• Pound chicken to an even thickness so it cooks evenly.

• Brine chicken in saltwater before cooking for added moisture and flavor.

• Season chicken all over with spices, herbs, sauces, etc for maximum flavor.

• Cook bone-in chicken pieces skin-side down first for crisper skin.

• Avoid overcooking chicken, which dries it out. Remove it as soon as it reaches 165°F.

With the proper technique and cooking times, you can enjoy perfectly cooked chicken with juicy, tender meat every time. Use this guide to take the guesswork out of all your chicken recipes.

Pan-frying chicken typically takes 6 to 8 minutes per side for boneless, skinless breasts, but the exact time depends on the thickness of the chicken and the heat of the pan. For larger bone-in pieces, cooking time will be longer.

The ideal baking temperature for chicken depends on the cut and desired outcome.