This is the easiest and tastiest way to bake chicken breasts in the oven. It can be made with or without a brine and just a few simple spices. It’s always done just right.
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.
This complete guide will tell you everything you need to know about how long different cuts of chicken need to cook in the oven. You’ll also learn tried-and-true ways to always get juicy, evenly cooked chicken. 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. The exact cooking time depends on things like size, thickness, and temperature. 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. When cooking bone-in, choose the longer end of the time range.
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, shorten the time in the oven and check for doneness earlier.
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. Put the meat in a zip-top bag, between two sheets of parchment paper, or on top of plastic wrap. Pinch the breasts a few times with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are all the same thickness. I like mine about 1″ thick for fast even cooking. Trim the fat and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Season the breasts. Olive oil the cutlets, and don’t be shy about using your hands to make sure it’s cover all sides. Spread the chicken breasts out in a single layer in a 9×13 baking dish that has been greased. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the chicken breasts.
- Transfer to the oven. Bake it until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F. If you pounded the chicken to about 1 inch thick, this should take 15 to 20 minutes. A few minutes more or less, depending on how thick yours is
- Allow it to rest. If you cut it right away, the pieces will dry out and lose all their juices. Don’t put the casserole dish back in the oven right away. Instead, take it out and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes so the juices can settle down. 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 too big, cut them in half horizontally to make it easier to pound them down to the thickness you want.
- Olive oil: This will cover the breasts right before the dry rub. This will help it stick to the seasoning, keep the moisture in after it’s been seared, and make the coating nonstick.
- Salt that is kosher 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.
- A lot of people like simple spice blends like cajun, Greek, or fajita seasoning, as well as lemon pepper seasoning.
- Make a sauce for your chicken that you like, or try this Chipotle chicken recipe!
- If you have chicken thighs, you can make these 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?
It takes 20 to 30 minutes in an oven heated to 375 degrees F for large chicken breasts that don’t have any bones or skin on them. 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. To cook more than four breasts at once, add five minutes to the cooking time. Make sure each breast is fully cooked before moving on to the next one.