How long does it take to bake a whole chicken?

baking chicken

How long it takes to bake a whole chicken depends on a few key factors – oven temperature and the size of the chicken. The bigger the chicken, the more time it takes to bake. However, on average, it takes between 50 minutes to an hour and 40 minutes to roast a whole chicken.

Tracking the time the whole chicken spends in the oven is essential. However, following the chicken’s internal temperature is equally important. You can do it with a meat thermometer or check if chicken juice is running clear.

In this article, you’ll find baking timetables for temperatures ranging from 325 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. At the end of the article, there’s a roasted chicken recipe that is easy to prepare.

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken in the oven at temperatures ranging from 325-425 degrees Fahrenheit?

tips for roasting whole chicken
Tips for roasting whole chicken

In the supermarkets and farmer’s markets, you can find roasters, broilers/fryers, and cornish game hens weighing between 2-5 pounds. The more the whole chicken weighs, the more time it requires to bake in the oven. A 3-pound whole chicken can take from 50 minutes to 100 minutes to cook.

Baking time may differ depending on whether the whole chicken is covered or uncovered. Covered roasted chicken takes less time to bake, while uncovered requires more time.

It’s important to rest a whole chicken for 30 minutes covered after baking it. It allows meat juice to redistribute throughout the interior evenly, making the chicken juicy and tender. The 30-minute resting time is not added to the baking times below.

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken at 325 degrees Fahrenheit?

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken at 325 degrees Fahrenheit
Baking times at 325° Fahrenheit

Here’s how long it takes to bake whole chicken in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Different sizes are included:

  • Whole chicken weighing 2 pounds – 1 hour and 20 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 3 pounds – 1 hour and 40 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 4 pounds – 2 hours.
  • Whole chicken weighing 5 pounds – 2 hours and 20 minutes.

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken at 350 degrees Fahrenheit?

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken at 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Baking times at 350° Fahrenheit

Here’s how long it takes to bake whole chicken in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Different sizes are included:

  • Whole chicken weighing 2 pounds – 1 hour and 10 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 3 pounds – 1 hour and 20 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 4 pounds – 1 hour and 50 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 5 pounds – 2 hours and 10 minutes.

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken at 375 degrees Fahrenheit?

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken at 375 degrees Fahrenheit
Baking times at 375° Fahrenheit

Here’s how long it takes to bake whole chicken in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Different sizes are included:

  • Whole chicken weighing 2 pounds – 1 hour.
  • Whole chicken weighing 3 pounds – 1 hour and 10 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 4 pounds – 1 hour and 35 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 5 pounds – 2 hours.

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit?

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Baking times at 400° Fahrenheit

Here’s how long it takes to bake whole chicken in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Different sizes are included:

  • Whole chicken weighing 2 pounds – 50 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 3 pounds – 1 hour.
  • Whole chicken weighing 4 pounds – 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 5 pounds – 1 hour and 40 minutes.

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken at 425 degrees Fahrenheit?

How long does it take to bake a whole chicken at 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Baking times at 425° Fahrenheit

Here’s how long it takes to bake whole chicken in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Different sizes are included:

  • Whole chicken weighing 2 pounds – 40 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 3 pounds – 50 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 4 pounds – 1 hour and 5 minutes.
  • Whole chicken weighing 5 pounds – 1 hour and 25 minutes.

How to tell if a baked chicken is cooked?

Baked whole chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature guidelines are provided by the USDA.

Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh near the bone. When the temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit take it out of the oven. If you do not have a

How to bake a whole chicken?

Baked chicken recipe
Baked chicken recipe

Here’s how to roast chicken in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (3 pound) whole chicken with a giblet removed
  • Buttermilk
  • Kosher salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Season the whole chicken. Add whole chicken to the bowl and pour over a liter of buttermilk with three teaspoons of kosher salt. Alternatively, you can put a whole chicken into a ziplock bag. Make sure to give it a good mix. Buttermilk should cover chicken entirely. Buttermilk and salt will tenderize the chicken, making it juicy and tender. Acidic ingredients help to break down connective tissue, making the chicken meat tender.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees C).
  3. Bring whole chicken to room temperature. It’ll allow the chicken to cook evenly throughout.
  4. Place whole chicken into a baking dish and slide it into the oven on a middle rack uncovered. Roast for an hour and 20 minutes. Turn chicken every once in a while to prevent uneven browning. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh near the bone to check the internal temperature. It should reach an internal temp of 165° Fahrenheit.
  5. Take the whole chicken out of the oven and leave it to rest for 30 minutes covered with aluminum foil. Resting will allow chicken juice to redistribute throughout the meat’s interior, making it tender and juicy.

Conclusion

Whole chicken consists of both white meat and dark meat. In comparison, white chicken meat bakes faster, while dark chicken meat needs more cooking time. Tracking time and chicken temperature are essential in not overcooking the meat. The table chart above is accurate; however, keep an eye on a chicken. Turn it to ensure even browning, and check the internal temperature regularly. Even though the times above are accurate, not all ovens are equal. Older ovens have an inconsistent temperatures. If you want to learn how long it takes to bake chicken breast, make sure to check this article.

FAQ

Is it better to bake a whole chicken at 350 or 400?

Roasting whole chicken at 350 degrees Fahrenheit is more beneficial because it becomes more tender and juicy. Roasting at 400°F is excellent for browning but not so much for making chicken extremely tender.

How long does an average whole chicken take to cook?

On average, a 3-pound chicken takes 50 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes to cook in the oven. However, times may vary depending on the oven and other factors. For instance, chicken brought to room temperature will take about 10 minutes less to cook.

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