How Long to Bake Chicken

If you’re wondering how long to bake chicken, you’re in the right place. Sometimes you can forget whether to cook chicken at 300°F or 400°F, and if chicken breast takes longer to cook than legs.

Or, you might wonder how long before chicken wings are ready to remove from the oven, and how to remember all this!

The following article aims to give quick answers to most of these questions. Keep in mind that cooking times vary depending on the size of the cut; the larger the chicken pieces, the longer the baking time.

How Long to Bake at 350, 400, 450 Degrees F

To help you set your cooking times, assume that these pieces are medium-sized— from 4 to 9 ounces. Reduce the time for smaller cuts and increase for larger ones.

Here’s a summary of how long to bake chicken at various temperatures:

Chicken Breast

Chicken breast is the most popular cut you can find, and takes 15-40 minutes to bake an 8-ounce breast.

It has low fat content, making it an excellent source of protein and a favorite for bodybuilders. Being low in fat, however, makes it the trickiest chicken cut to cook.

Don’t overcook it, as it’s more prone to drying than its counterparts. The last thing you want is to end up with chicken cuts that are like cardboard.

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Chicken Wings

Chicken wings LOVE to be cooked at high temperatures. But lower temperatures also help to render down their fat.

How to achieve the perfect cook? Start at a relatively low temperature, then crank it up at the end to give it that crispy finish.

A 5-ounce chicken wing takes 25-35 minutes to cook in the oven. You can increase the temperature during the last 5-7 minutes to help its texture crisp.

Chicken Thighs

When it comes to baking chicken thighs, you’ll find they’re more forgiving than some cuts. Chicken thighs are tender and juicy.

They usually get away with a lenient cook of anywhere from 30-45 minutes for a 9-ounce cut.

The only downside— if you can call it that— is they have more fat than their counterparts. But the fat only makes the chicken tastier and juicier as it’s released throughout the cook.

That said, remember that chicken thighs are a lean cut; if overcooked, they turn dry and lose that suppleness we all love.

Chicken Legs

Chicken legs— along with the thighs and wings— are considered dark meat and tend to be juicier than other parts, like the breast. Bake 9-ounce chicken quarters for 20-50 minutes, depending on the temperature.

While doing so, keep them tender by letting their fat plump them up naturally, making them even more delicious!

Chicken Tenderloins

Chicken tenderloins, also known as chicken tenders, are true to their name. They’re a small cut found right between the chicken bone and breast.

They have a tender texture that’s juicier than chicken breast if not overcooked. Simultaneously, their soft flesh makes chicken tenders a prime choice for making chicken fingers, strips, and fillets.

It takes 5-15 minutes to bake 1.5-ounce pieces while keeping them tender throughout the cook.

All that plump juiciness, however, comes with extra calories and fewer nutrients. But we bet you’ll love it— everybody enjoys a hearty, dig-in meal, and chicken tenderloins are excellent for just that.

Whole Chicken

Baking a 2-pound chicken can seem daunting. But you’d be surprised how much easier it can be compared to chicken breasts (and those are easy-peasy themselves!).

A whole chicken takes 1-2 hours to bake at 425°F until the juices run clear when you cut through its flesh. After that, leave it to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

What’s the Best Way to Cook Chicken Breast in the Oven?

The most efficient way to master the chicken breast is to preserve its moisture using one piece of stationery— foil paper! That’s right, covering the chicken cut will help you get a tender, irresistible chicken breast on the table within a few minutes.

The secret behind using foil paper is that it prevents moisture loss, keeping all the juices intact and guaranteeing a moist piece of chicken. Here’s how you can achieve this:

Step 1: Preheat the oven and choose your best chicken seasonings. Set the oven temperature to 375°F, and mix a spice rub for the chicken breast.

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Step 2: Prepare the chicken. Coat the chicken with oil or butter and rub the spice mix onto the pieces evenly. Place the chicken breasts onto a piece of foil paper and bring the edges together to crimp them closed, leaving a bit of space to allow for heat expansion.

Step 3: Bake the chicken so it’s juicy. Bake until it’s cooked through, about 25 minutes, before removing it from the oven. Leave the chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then serve.

How Long to Marinate Chicken

Marinating is a foolproof way to flavor chicken. We love that it’s an easy way to pack your meat with explosive tastes.

It can take from 1-24 hours to marinate chicken. The longer you leave it, the better— it gives the meat more time to soak up those delicious flavors.

The best part is, you can leave it marinating overnight or while you go to work. By the time you return, it’s ready to put straight into the oven.

It’s possible to over-marinate meat, though, so don’t go overboard with it. If you leave it for too long (longer than 24 hours), it may cause the protein to break down, leading to a mushy texture.

This may not always be the case, however. So, make sure you check the chicken before cooking to make sure it’s still intact.

To discover other delicious chicken dishes, check out our collection of 50+ healthy chicken recipes. We promise they’re just as easy to follow!