Cooking chicken in a convection oven can seem intimidating for many home cooks. However, with the right techniques, you can achieve delicious, juicy and evenly cooked chicken every time. In this article, we will walk through the basics of cooking chicken in a convection oven, from understanding how it works to step-by-step instructions and tips for success.
What is a Convection Oven and How Does it Work?
A convection oven has a built-in fan that moves hot air around the inside of the oven. This air movement helps food cook evenly and brown by getting rid of the cool spots that happen in regular ovens. The even temperature around the food cuts down on cooking time and can make flavors better.
When cooking chicken in a convection oven, the circulating hot air cooks the meat evenly from all sides. This results in a crispy browned exterior while keeping the interior tender and juicy. The convection fan also reduces cooking times by roughly 25% compared to conventional ovens.
Benefits of Cooking Chicken in a Convection Oven
There are several advantages to using a convection oven for cooking chicken:
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Even cooking: The circulating hot air ensures no undercooked or overcooked parts.
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Faster cooking: Reduced cooking times get dinner on the table quicker.
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Crispier skin The all-around heat helps the skin brown beautifully
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Juicy meat: Quick cooking retains moisture for tender meat.
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Enhanced flavors: Circulation carries seasonings throughout the chicken.
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Food safety: Thorough, even cooking eliminates bacteria.
Tips for Cooking Chicken in a Convection Oven
Follow these tips for crispy, juicy, and delicious convection oven chicken every time:
1. Adjust Temperature and Time
Reduce temperature by 25°F compared to recipes for standard ovens. Also, check for doneness earlier since convection ovens cook faster.
2. Use a Meat Thermometer
Cooking to the proper internal temperature ensures safety and prevents overcooking. Whole chicken and breasts should reach 165°F.
3. Allow Proper Airflow
Avoid overcrowding to allow air circulation. Use pans with low sides and line them with chicken pieces.
4. Preheat Thoroughly
For even cooking from the start, it’s important to fully heat the food first. Most ovens take 10-15 minutes to preheat fully.
5. Use a Roasting Rack
Elevating whole chickens on a rack promotes airflow all around for optimum crispiness.
6. Dry Skin Thoroughly
Pat chicken dry before cooking for crisper skin. Wet skin steams instead of browning.
7. Brine or Marinate
Brining or marinating adds flavor and moisture to lean chicken breasts.
8. Lightly Oil Skin
Brushing skin lightly with oil enhances browning. Avoid thick coatings that can make skin soggy.
9. Season Generously
Salt, pepper, herbs and spices add flavor. Consider seasoning under the skin too.
10. Let Chicken Rest
Allowing chicken to rest after roasting allows juices to redistribute so meat stays moist.
Step-by-Step Guide for Roasting a Whole Chicken
Follow this simple guide for juicy, evenly cooked whole roast chicken from your convection oven:
1. Prepare the Chicken
Remove giblets and pat chicken dry. Tuck wing tips behind back. Lightly coat skin with oil or butter and season all over with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with lemon, garlic and herbs if desired.
2. Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 325°F (25°F lower than standard oven). Ensure oven is fully preheated before adding chicken.
3. Use a Roasting Rack
Place chicken breast-side up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. The rack elevates it to promote airflow.
4. Calculate Cook Time
Figure 15-20 minutes per pound at 325°F. For a 4 lb chicken, cook 60-80 minutes.
5. Roast Chicken
Roast in preheated oven, basting occasionally with pan drippings if desired.
6. Test for Doneness
Temperature should reach 165°F in thickest part of breast and thigh. Juices should run clear.
7. Allow to Rest
Let chicken rest 15-20 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
8. Carve and Serve
Carve chicken and serve immediately. Enjoy your tender, juicy roast chicken!
Cooking Times for Chicken Parts
When cooking bone-in parts or boneless breasts, the cooking process is similar but the times are shorter.
Bone-in Chicken Parts
- Chicken thighs: 40-50 minutes at 325°F
- Chicken drumsticks: 35-45 minutes at 325°F
Boneless Chicken Breasts
- 6-8 oz each: 18-22 minutes at 325°F
- 4 oz each: 13-16 minutes at 325°F
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Allow pieces to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Convection Oven Chicken Recipes to Try
The convection oven allows you to make all kinds of delicious chicken entrees easily. Here are some must-try recipes:
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Simple Roasted Chicken with Herbs – a basic roasted bird coated in garlic, thyme, rosemary
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Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts – marinated in lemon, olive oil and oregano
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Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings – baked, not fried, for guilt-free game day snacking
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Chicken Fajitas – quick roasted peppers and onions topped with chicken breast strips
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Chicken Parmesan – breaded chicken breast baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella
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Chicken Tikka Masala – in an easy skillet-to-oven method
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Teriyaki Chicken – baked chicken thighs in a sweet and salty Japanese marinade
Cooking chicken in a convection oven results in crispier skin, juicier meat, and fabulous flavor in much less time than a standard oven. Follow the temperature, time, and technique tips outlined to get picture-perfect roast chicken and chicken pieces your whole family will love. With a little practice, you can master convection oven chicken cooking.
Looking for more chicken recipes?
- Season the chicken first, and then let it sit out of the fridge for at least an hour before cooking. Putting softened butter mixed with your favorite seasonings under and on the skin of the bird will make the skin crispier and the meat taste better.
- To make sure the juices stay in the chicken, roast it on a rack in a shallow pan. This lets the hot air circulate around the chicken and cook it evenly.
- As long as you stick a skewer through the legs, you don’t have to tie them up tight. If the legs are tied too close to the body, the cooking time will have to be longer so that the heat can reach that part of the bird. This will make the bird dry.
- Always start by setting up the oven racks so that they can fit all the food you want to cook.
- Place the chicken in the oven and set it to Convection Roast or Convection Bake mode. Roast it for 15 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees for the last 45 minutes of cooking. Baste the chicken halfway through to help crisp the skin.
- If the temperature is too high, the edges may get too done while the middle may not be cooked all the way through because convection cooks from the outside in.
- A 4- to 5-pound chicken should take about an hour to roast, plus 10 minutes for resting and 5 to 8 minutes for carving. Plan approximately 45 minutes for smaller chickens. It’s safe to take the chicken out of the oven when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Keep in mind that the temperature will rise by about 10 degrees while the chicken rests.
- When you cut the chicken, don’t worry if you see some redness in and around the bones. This is a normal part of convection cooking. This is safe to eat as long as the meat is cooked.
- Plan the oven side dishes’ cooking times so they’ll be ready to serve when the chicken has rested, been carved, and is ready to be served.
Disclaimer: Convection Kitchen is not affiliated to “Print Recipe” or “View Recipe” Ads.
YOUR RECIPE FOR CONVECTION COOKING!
A chicken roasted in Convection will be incredibly flavorful and juicy, very easy to cook and best of all you can cook several oven side dishes at the same time for an easy delicious meal. The important things to consider are which oven mode to use, what type of pan to use, timing including resting and the ideal temperature.
There are some important things you should do to make sure you succeed that aren’t usually in the recipe because they don’t talk about the tools we use.
1 4-5lb fresh chicken
4 tbsp softened unsalted butter mixed with
1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning (the paprika in this seasoning gives the chicken a nice color)
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1 small peeled yellow onion to stuff into the cavity
2 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary
How to Roast a Chicken In Convection
FAQ
How do you cook a chicken in a convection oven?
Place the chicken in the oven and set it to Convection Roast or Convection Bake mode. Roast it for 15 minutes. Decrease the oven temperature to 350 degrees for the remainder of the cooking time, approximately 45 minutes. Baste the chicken halfway through to help crisp the skin.
Is it better to cook chicken in a convection oven or regular oven?
Convection is a great choice for cooking lean cuts of meat such as chicken breast because convection circulates heated air around the oven preserving the natural moisture in food.
What should you not use when cooking in the convection oven?
When Should You NOT use A Convection Oven? Some baking items that are delicate, like flan or cheesecake. It’s probably best to use a regular oven for things that start with a batter that you don’t want to move around too much or get too brown.
Is baking in a convection oven the same as air frying?
The convection oven uses hot circulating air to cook. but the air fryer uses a stronger stream of circuiting air to cook. so it cooks faster, for one. where the oven convection or radiant will take longer to do the same thing and usually will dry the food out more.
How do you cook chicken in a convection oven?
Roasting is a classic method for cooking whole chickens or large pieces, like chicken breasts or thighs. The hot air circulation in a convection oven ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and the skin becomes beautifully crispy. Start skin-side down: Place the chicken skin-side down on a roasting rack in a baking pan.
Can you cook frozen chicken in a convection oven?
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken in a convection oven, but it will take longer than cooking thawed chicken. Make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Should I cover the chicken while cooking in a convection oven? It’s not necessary to cover the chicken when cooking in a convection oven.
How long does it take to cook chicken breast in a convection oven?
Originally Published April 16, 2019. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation. The best way to bake chicken breasts is in a convection oven. They are always healthy, moist, and tender after half an hour.
How to roast a chicken in convection?
The best way to roast a chicken in Convection is to roast it on a rack in a shallow pan. Since shallow-sided roasting pans with a rack are hard to find, the best solution is to use a rimmed baking sheet with a rack. There are several reasons why the rack is so essential.
How long does it take to cook a chicken in the oven?
Once the oven is preheated, place the chicken in the oven and set the timer according to the size and type of chicken you’re cooking. For a whole chicken, the cooking time can range from 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the size of the bird. For chicken breasts, the cooking time is usually around 25 to 30 minutes.
How does a convection oven work?
The hot air circulation in a convection oven ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and the skin becomes beautifully crispy. Convection ovens are becoming increasingly popular in kitchens worldwide, and for good reason. Their ability to circulate hot air evenly results in faster cooking times, crispier results, and often, more flavorful dishes.