Cooking chicken in the oven can seem deceptively simple. But to end up with juicy, flavorful meat proper technique is key. The timing depends on a few factors, but with the right tips you’ll be able to perfect oven-baked chicken every time.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about oven cooking times for various cuts of chicken You’ll also learn foolproof methods to ensure succulent, evenly cooked chicken without fail. Let’s get started!
Understanding Chicken Cooking Times
To start it helps to know approximate oven cooking times for common chicken parts
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Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless breasts take 20-30 minutes at 375°F. Bone-in breasts need 35-40 minutes.
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Chicken thighs: Boneless thighs cook in 25-35 minutes at 375°F. Bone-in thighs take 40-50 minutes.
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Chicken drumsticks: Allow 35-45 minutes for bone-in drumsticks at 375°F.
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Whole chicken: A 3-4 lb bird bakes in 1-1.5 hours at 350°F.
These timings serve as a general guide. Various factors like size, thickness, and temperature affect the precise cooking time. We’ll cover those next.
Factors that Influence Chicken Cooking Time
1. Thickness and Size
Thicker, heavier pieces require longer oven time than thinner cuts. As a rule of thumb:
- Smaller chicken breasts (6-8 oz) need 20-25 minutes
- Larger breasts (8 oz+) take 30-40 minutes
- Thighs under 8 oz bake in 30-35 minutes
- Thighs over 8 oz need 45-50 minutes
2. Bone-In vs Boneless
Chicken cooked on the bone often takes longer to bake. The bones act as insulation, slowing down the cooking process. Go for the longer end of the time range when cooking bone-in.
3. Oven Temperature
Higher heat quickens cooking. Lower temperatures increase baking time. Here are guidelines for popular settings:
- 350°F: Breasts take 30-35 minutes, thighs 40-50 minutes
- 375°F: Breasts 20-30 minutes, thighs 30-45 minutes
- 400°F: Breasts 18-25 minutes, thighs 25-40 minutes
4. Marinades and Rubs
Seasoned meats may cook faster as salt draws out moisture. If marinated, reduce oven time slightly and check earlier for doneness.
Step-by-Step Guide for Oven-Baked Chicken
Follow these simple steps for foolproof baked chicken every time:
1. Prep the Chicken
Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off excess fat. Season all over with salt, pepper, herbs, spices, etc. Consider marinating for added moisture and flavor.
2. Preheat the Oven
Preheat to the desired temperature, anywhere from 350°F to 425°F. Higher for crisper skin, lower for tender meat.
3. Choose a Pan
Use an oven-safe dish or rimmed baking sheet. Lightly grease the pan to prevent sticking.
4. Arrange the Chicken
Place chicken pieces skin-side up on the pan, evenly spaced. Avoid overcrowding.
5. Cook to Proper Temperature
Insert an instant-read thermometer in thickest part. Chicken should reach 165°F. If no thermometer, slice to confirm meat is white throughout.
6. Allow to Rest
Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes before serving for juicier meat. Dig in!
Helpful Tips for Moist, Flavorful Chicken
Beyond the standard prep method, try these extra tricks:
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Pound thicker breasts to 1/2-inch thickness. Evens cooking and reduces baking time.
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Brine chicken in a saltwater solution for added moisture.
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Sear skin-on pieces in a pan before baking for crispy skin.
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Tent foil loosely over chicken during first half of baking to retain moisture.
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Rub butter under and over skin before baking for delicious flavor.
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Bake on a roasting rack for crispier, evenly cooked meat.
Common Baking Mistakes
It’s easy to dry out chicken in the oven if you aren’t careful. Avoid these pitfalls:
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Overbaking – Use a meat thermometer and don’t rely solely on timings.
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Crowding pan – Leave space between pieces so air circulates.
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Baking at too low temp – Increase heat to shorten cooking time.
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Skipping resting period – Letting chicken rest locks in juices.
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Cutting into chicken too early – Juices will run out if sliced before resting.
Juicy Oven-Baked Chicken Recipes to Try
Once you’ve nailed basic baked chicken, give these flavorful recipes a whirl:
Easy Baked Lemon Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 4 bone-in chicken breasts (6-8 oz each)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and oregano. Pour over chicken in a ziplock bag or baking dish. Marinate 30 minutes or longer.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange chicken skin-side up on a lightly greased baking dish.
- Bake 25-30 minutes until chicken breasts reach 165°F internally.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Pesto Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1⁄4 cup prepared pesto
- 1⁄4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine pesto and Parmesan. Spread evenly on both sides of chicken breasts.
- Place chicken on an oiled baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Let rest 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
Whole Roasted Lemon Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs)
- 1 lemon, halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Pat chicken dry and place breast-side up in roasting pan.
- Squeeze lemon juice over cavity. Place squeezed lemon halves inside cavity.
- Combine oil and seasonings. Rub mixture all over chicken.
- Roast 60-90 minutes until thighs reach 165°F.
- Let rest 10 minutes before carving.
Get Perfectly Cooked Chicken Every Time
Mastering oven-baked chicken is easier than you think. With the right temperature, prep, and technique, you can achieve succulent, flavorful results each time. Just remember to:
- Follow recipe guidelines for size and thickness
- Adjust time based on oven temp and bone-in vs boneless
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness
- Allow chicken to rest before serving
Armed with these oven-cooking tips, you can serve up tender, juicy chicken to rave reviews at home. Now get baking!
How to Bake Chicken Breast in Oven
With a few simple tips and tricks, I’ll show you how to make the most tender, juicy and flavorful baked chicken breast you’ve ever had!
- Tenderize meat. Place the meat between two pieces of parchment paper, plastic wrap, or in a zip-top bag. Use either a meat mallet or rolling pin to lightly pound the breasts until they are an even thickness. I like mine about 1″ thick for fast even cooking. Trim the fat and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Season the breasts. Coat the cutlets in olive oil, and don’t be afraid to use your hands to make sure it’s coated evenly. Rub the combined seasoning mixture all over the chicken breast and place them in a single layer in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Transfer to the oven. Bake it until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F. If you’ve pounded your chicken to the thickness of about 1″ this should take about 15-20 minutes. Give or take a few minutes depending on the thickness of yours.
- Allow it to rest. You don’t want to slice into it right away, otherwise, you’ll lose all the juices and the pieces will dry out. Instead, remove the casserole dish from the oven and just let it stand for about 5-10 minutes to give the juices time to redistribute and settle. Then, slice and serve! But also…you can serve them whole.
Juicy Baked Chicken Breast
This easy recipe for oven baked chicken breast is perfect for quick dinners and meal prep. With it comes the option to brine, but even without it, it’s basically foolproof.
Quick and easy chicken breast recipes are something I know everyone loves and since we make them so often, I’m a big fan of shaking things up like with this baked BBQ chicken, this chicken milanese recipe or chicken madeira!
This oven baked chicken breast is made with a simple blend of oil and spices…that’s it!
Find the full printable recipe with detailed measurements below.
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts. If they are overly plump, slice them in half horizontally so they are easier to pound down to desired thickness.
- Olive oil: Will coat the breasts just before the dry rub. This will help to adhere to the seasoning, seal in moisture once seared, and provide a nonstick coating.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: I use kosher salt because the granules are larger than table salt, so I know when I use the same amount, it will flavor it nicely, but won’t be as salty. Use both salt and pepper to taste.
- Seasoning: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. You can replace smoked paprika with regular paprika if want.
- Try onion powder, thyme, oregano or even chili powder.
- Easy spice blends are great like lemon pepper seasoning, cajun, Greek seasoning or fajita seasoning.
- Use your favorite chicken marinade or try this Chipotle chicken recipe!
- Or if you have thighs, make these oven baked chicken thighs instead!
Best Baked Chicken // Worth Bragging About ❤️
FAQ
Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?
How long does it take for raw chicken to cook in the oven?
Here’s the shortest answer we can give you: 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.Jan 21, 2025
How long do I put chicken in the oven at 350 for?
Cooking tips
Bake a 4-ounce chicken breast at 350°F (177°C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature is 165°F (74°C).
How long should chicken take to cook in an oven?
A 150–200g/5½–7oz skinless chicken breast fillet will need 16–18 minutes; a 200–250g/7–9oz one 18–20 minutes; and a 250–300g/9–10½ one 20–22 minutes. If cooking more than four breasts at a time, increase the cooking time by 5 minutes, and don’t forget to check that each breast is cooked through.