Introduction
Cooking a whole chicken is one of the best ways to eat healthy and save money. It’s also easy to do — provided you know how long to cook it. If you’re wondering how long to cook a whole chicken in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, don’t worry! I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about cooking this versatile protein.
The good news is that it’s really easy to cook a whole chicken.
It’s easy to cook a whole chicken.
- It’s economical. Buying a whole chicken and cooking it yourself is an inexpensive way to get a lot of food for your money, especially if you plan on using the leftovers in other dishes later in the week (like soup or salads).
- It’s healthy. Chicken is packed with protein and good fats, making it an excellent option for those looking for healthy options at home or on the go! Plus, there are so many ways to prepare this meat–you can roast it whole; cut up into pieces and fry them up in butter; bake them into casseroles; braise them on top of vegetables…the possibilities are endless!
Here’s what you do.
Now that you know how long it takes to cook a whole chicken, here’s what you do:
- Place the chicken in the oven and set it to 350 degrees. If you want to be more precise, use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of your bird’s thigh (but not touching bone) and set your timer for 25 minutes per pound.
- When your timer goes off, take out your bird and test its temperature with another thermometer (you can poke one through its leg joint). If it reads 160 degrees F., then let it rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving!
Get your ingredients ready.
To get started, you’ll need to have all of your ingredients ready. For this recipe you will need:
- A whole chicken that has been cut into pieces (4 thighs and 2 breasts)
- Salt and pepper for seasoning the chicken
- Seasonings of choice (garlic powder, paprika etc.)
Rinse off the chicken, inside and out, under cold running water.
Rinse off the chicken, inside and out, under cold running water.
- Use cold water and not hot water to rinse the chicken because it will keep enzymes from breaking down meat fibers. This will result in a juicier chicken when cooked.
- Make sure to dry off all surfaces of the bird before moving on with your recipe!
Pat the chicken down with paper towels to dry it off.
Pat the chicken down with paper towels to dry it off. This will help to ensure that your skin browns and crisps up nicely, as well as make it easier to remove the skin (and any excess fat) after cooking.
Season your bird however you’d like it — salt and pepper is always good, but you can also use garlic or herbs if you prefer. Just be sure to season both sides of the chicken evenly.
Cooking a whole chicken can be a tedious process, especially if you don’t know how long it will take. The good news is that there are several factors that determine how long to cook a whole chicken and they’re all fairly easy to control. If you know what size bird you’re working with, whether it’s frozen or thawed before cooking, and how quickly your oven cooks at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (F), then the rest is just math!
Cooking a whole chicken doesn’t have to be complicated.
All you need is a whole chicken, salt and pepper and some oil. Season the bird on both sides with salt and pepper (or whatever seasoning you prefer). Place it in a roasting pan at 350 degrees for about an hour-and-a-half. That’s the best way to cook a whole chicken!
Conclusion
Cooking a whole chicken doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s an easy way to make a delicious meal for your family, and it can also save you money!