Bone-in thighs are seasoned, baked, and then put under the broiler for crispy skin and juicy meat. This recipe couldn’t be easier to make.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Bone-In Chicken at 425°F? (1889 words)
Cooking bone-in chicken breasts at a high temperature like 425°F is a great way to get crispy skin and juicy meat in a short amount of time. As someone who loves hosting dinner parties and whipping up quick weeknight meals, I’m always looking for ways to cut down on cooking time without sacrificing flavor.
So how long does it actually take to cook bone-in split chicken breasts at 425°F? Through trial and error in my own kitchen, I’ve nailed down a foolproof method and timing for baking perfect bone-in chicken breasts every time Keep reading for my detailed guidance, along with tips and tricks for maximizing flavor and moisture
Why Choose Bone-In Chicken Breasts?
Before we get into oven temps and cook times, let’s discuss why bone-in chicken breasts should be your go-to over boneless skinless breasts. There are a few major benefits:
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More Flavor—As the meat cooks, the chicken bones add more flavor. Because of this, bone-in breasts are great for recipes where the chicken is the main ingredient.
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More moisture—The bone keeps the meat warm, which slows down the cooking process. This keeps the delicate breast meat extra juicy.
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Better Texture – Bone-in breasts contain a mix of white and dark meat, giving you tender and crispy textures in one package.
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Much Cheaper – Pound for pound, bone-in chicken costs significantly less than boneless skinless. Score!
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Easy to Use – Bone-in breasts are versatile. Roast them whole for dinner, then toss the bones in a stock pot and shred or dice the meat for salads, sandwiches, casseroles and more.
The Perfect Time and Temperature
Now let’s discuss the cooking specifics. There are a lot of recipes for bone-in chicken breasts, but they all give different temperatures and times for cooking. I’ve found that 425°F for 40 to 50 minutes is the best temperature and time for getting both crispy skin and juicy meat on two average-sized (1-1) chickens. 5 lb) bone-in split breasts.
Here are more details on my process:
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Preheat oven to 425°F.
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Once the chicken is dry, rub it with oil or dry seasoning rub. This helps achieve crispy skin.
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Place chicken skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Parchment prevents sticking.
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Bake for 20 minutes at 425°F. This initial high heat browns the skin.
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Reduce heat to 375°F and bake 20-30 minutes more until juices run clear and meat thermometer inserted in thickest part reads 165°F.
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Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. The temperature will rise a bit more as it rests.
The initial 425°F blast gives you crispy skin, while reducing the temp later ensures the meat cooks through without drying out. Bone-in chicken breasts are done when the internal temp reaches 165°F. Resting completes the cooking process for tender, foolproof results.
This method allows you to customize the cook time based on the size of your chicken breasts. Smaller or thinner breasts may require less time, while thicker or larger ones may need more. I recommend starting to check temperature after 35 minutes.
Tips for Maximizing Flavor and Moisture
Achieving juicy, flavorful bone-in chicken breasts goes beyond just the cooking time and temp. Here are some of my top tips:
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Brine the chicken. Soaking breasts in a saltwater brine solution seasons the meat and helps it retain moisture.
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Use a meat thermometer. It takes the guesswork out of determining doneness. Cook to 165°F.
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Let it rest. Never skip this step! Resting allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
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Reserve pan drippings. The collected juices make an incredible base for sauces or gravies.
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Cook at room temperature. Letting meat sit out for 30-60 mins promotes even cooking.
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Pat skin dry pre-roasting. Drying the skin gives you uber-crispiness.
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Use lower-moisture herbs and spices. Wet marinades make steam that inhibits crispy skin.
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Brush with oil or rub. Coating the skin with oil gives it a headstart on crisping.
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Cook on a rack. Elevating the chicken allows air flow for crispier skin.
By mastering the cooking time, temperature, and these flavor-boosting tricks, you’ll be rewarded with the most mouthwateringly moist and tender bone-in chicken breasts.
Read on for step-by-step oven roasting instructions, more cooking time options, and serving ideas.
Oven Roasted Bone-In Chicken Breast Recipe
This basic recipe uses the time and temp guidance provided above. Feel free to customize with different herb and spice rubs.
Ingredients:
- 2 bone-in split chicken breasts (about 3 lbs total)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- 1 1⁄2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
- 1⁄4 tsp paprika
Instructions:
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Remove chicken from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels.
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Combine olive oil, salt, thyme, pepper, and paprika. Rub spice mixture all over chicken, including under skin and backside.
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Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Place chicken skin-side up on prepared baking sheet. Roast 20 minutes.
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Reduce heat to 375°F. Roast about 25 minutes more until thermometer inserted in thickest part reads 165°F.
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Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Cooking Time Options
While 40-50 minutes is ideal, you can further customize the cooking time based on your preferences:
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For extra-crispy skin, extend the initial 425°F roasting time to 25-30 minutes.
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If pressed for time, bake at 450°F the entire time for ~40 mins total. The skin crisps faster.
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For very large (2+ lb) breasts, increase total cook time up to 60 minutes.
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If cooking more than two breasts, arrange them evenly on two pans. Rotate pans and check temp early.
The internal temperature, not total roasting time, is the best indicator of doneness. Use a thermometer for guaranteed perfection every time.
Serving Suggestions
Bone-in chicken breasts truly shine when served whole or sliced alongside classic pairings and sides:
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For a romantic dinner, serve breasts sliced over arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette.
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Meal prep by shredding the chicken and tossing into healthy grain bowls all week.
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Dice chicken and mix with buffalo sauce for an easy spin on boneless wings.
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Slice and use in sandwiches, wraps, on top of salads or stirred into pasta dishes.
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Shred or dice chicken to mix into chicken salad, casseroles or soups.
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Save bones to make homemade chicken stock simmering with veggies and herbs.
From sandwiches to salads, soups to casseroles, bone-in chicken is endlessly versatile. And when roasted properly, you get tender, juicy meat with craveably crispy skin every time.
The Takeaway
Cooking bone-in chicken breasts at a high temp like 425°F delivers perfect results in about 40-50 minutes. Focus on achieving crispy skin by drying the breasts well and roasting at 425°F for the first 20 minutes. Then reduce to 375°F and cook through until the internal temp hits 165°F. Resting afterwards locks in moisture.
While the precise cook time may vary based on your oven and breast size, using a meat thermometer guarantees foolproof, juicy chicken. With this easy method, you can ditch boring boneless skinless breasts in favor of flavorful and budget-friendly bone-in chicken.
How to Bake Chicken Thighs
This chicken recipe is easy to make and will disappear in minutes!
- Pat chicken thighs dry with a clean paper towel.
- Drizzle with oil and season generously.
- Bake the thighs until they reach 165°F.
- Broil to crisp the skin if desired.
Serve with roast potatoes and green beans for a perfect meal.
- More heat makes the skin crispier, so I cook my chicken at 425°F.
- This recipe is for 6 oz. of bone-in thighs. If you use bigger thighs, they will need more time to cook.
- If you can, put the chicken thighs on a rack so the fat can drip off. They can be cooked right on the baking sheet if you don’t have a rack.
- A meat thermometer should read 165°F for chicken thighs when they are done baking.
One Recipe, Endless Possibilities
- You can use 2 to 3 teaspoons of your favorite pre-made chicken seasoning blend instead of the chicken seasoning in this recipe.
- For the last 15 minutes of cooking, brush them with your favorite BBQ sauce to make them sticky and tasty.
- For a cool change, add dill and lemon zest. You can also make your own Lemon Pepper.
How long does it take chicken to bake at 425?
FAQ
How long do you cook bone in chicken at 425?
Preheat oven to 425°F. Rub chicken with olive oil and season with garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Place on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment. Roast for 35–45 minutes until internal temp reaches 165°F and skin is crispy.
Is 425 for 25 minutes enough for chicken?
At 425 F degrees (220C) chicken breasts will bake in about 20 to 25 minutes. Of course it depends on the thickness of your breasts, so thicker breast will take a bit longer and thinner breasts will take a bit less time. That’s why the best way to tell when your chicken is done is to use a meat thermometer. Sep 9, 2023.
Is it better to bake bone-in chicken at 350 or 400?
The ideal temperature to roast bone-in chicken breasts is 400oF. However, you can bake chicken in an oven that’s anywhere from 350oF to 425oF. Obviously, cooking time is affected. You’ll have to add time if you’re roasting it at 350oF and subtract time at 425oF. Again, an instant read thermometer is your friend.