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If every time you start cooking chicken you're unsure of how long you should cook it, you're not alone. It's a tricky thing to gauge, especially because chicken is not something you want slightly pink like a medium-rare steak [1]. Fully cooked chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the juices will run clear. Even if you don't have a thermometer, there are standard cook times to memorize so you won't have to play a guessing game every time and risk eating undercooked meat. Refer to this handy list whether you're cooking boneless chicken breasts, bone-in chicken breasts and legs, or a whole roast chicken. You'll never end up with undercooked or totally dry, overcooked chicken again.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts [2]: 450°F for 20 minutes
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts [3]: 400°F for 45 minutes
- Whole roast chicken [4]: 425°F for 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Chicken thighs [5]: 425°F for 20-25 minutes