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How to Cook

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How Long Should You Cook Chicken? A Guide for Every Cut
How to Bake Chicken In Pieces
1:50
  • Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F for breasts and 175°F for thighs/drumsticks.
  • Roast whole chickens at 375°F for 1 to 2 hours depending on weight.
  • Use a thermometer to ensure safety and juiciness and avoid relying solely on cooking times..

Cooking chicken to the right internal temperature not only ensures safety but also juiciness, preventing dryness that can spoil a meal. We’ve compiled the essential cooking times for whole chickens, as well as meaty pieces like breasts and legs, through various cooking methods.

Whether you’re roasting, grilling, or boiling, these guidelines will help you achieve perfectly cooked chicken every time.

Try MyRecipes, our digital recipe box, to stash and organize all your favorite Better Homes & Gardens recipes.

How Long to Cook a Whole Chicken

Here are the cooking times based on the chicken’s weight. However, don’t rely solely on time. Always use a meat thermometer to verify that the meat is cooked safely. The chicken is fully cooked when the thigh muscle reaches 175°F, or when the drumsticks can be moved easily in their sockets.

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How Long to Roast a Chicken

Roasting is a healthy way to prepare chicken. Once you’ve prepared the chicken for roasting, here are the cooking times for an oven preheated to 375°F:<br><br>- For a 2½- to 3-pound chicken, roast for 1 to 1¼ hours.<br>- For a 3½- to 4-pound chicken, roast for 1¼ to 1½ hours.<br>- For a 4½- to 5-pound chicken, roast for 1¾ to 2 hours.

How Long to Grill a Chicken

When grilling a whole chicken, follow these times based on the weight of the bird:

- For a 2½- to 3-pound chicken, grill for 1 to 1¼ hours.
- For a 3½- to 4-pound chicken, grill for 1¼ to 1¾ hours.
- For a 4½- to 5-pound chicken, grill for 1¾ to 2 hours.

How Long to Boil a Chicken

For boiling or poaching a whole chicken or its pieces, cook until the meat easily falls off the bones. For a 3-pound chicken, the cooking time is approximately 1½ hours.

How Long to Cook Chicken Breast and Other Meaty Pieces

When cooking meaty pieces like chicken breasts, drumsticks, and thighs, use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the meat is done: 165°F for breast meat, and 175°F for thighs and drumsticks.

- Baking: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. See our step-by-step guides for baked chicken legs and quarters and baked chicken breast.
- Grilling: Grill thighs for 12 to 15 minutes and breast halves for 15 to 18 minutes. Check out our grilling guide.
- Broiling: Broil the chicken for 25 to 35 minutes. Follow these easy broiling steps.
- Sautéing: Sauté chicken breast for 12 to 15 minutes (6 to 8 minutes for tenders) and thighs for 14 to 18 minutes. Discover the best sautéing techniques.
- Boiling/Poaching: Boil boneless breast halves for 12 to 15 minutes, and bone-in breasts for about 30 minutes. Refer to our boiling guide.

Ready to Cook Some Chicken?

Explore these mouthwatering chicken dishes and add them to your recipe book. They’re perfect for either a whole chicken, chicken breast, or meaty pieces:

  • Quick healthy chicken recipes in less than 30 minutes
  • Oven-fried chicken
  • Herb-roasted whole chicken
  • Cowboy chicken
  • Sheet pan chicken
  • Malibu chicken
Read More:
  • <span>Recipes & Cooking</span>
  • <span>How to Cook</span>
  • <span>Meat & Poultry</span>