To Bake Chicken Breast at 400°F: This will take between 22 and 26 minutes depending on the size of the chicken breasts. You can cook chicken breasts at 350°F for closer to 25-30 minutes (although I prefer the higher heat above).
Bake at 400˚F for about 20-25 minutes (*See time chart below) or until chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. Rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
What is the Best Temperature to Bake Chicken Breasts? The best temperature to bake chicken breasts is 425°F (220°C). Baking chicken breasts at this temperature allows them to cook quickly while retaining moisture, resulting in juicy and tender meat.
The best way to cook a chicken breast so it's moist and tender and not dry is to cook it in a water bath in a vacuum sealed bag. The temperature of the water bath should be between 150--160F. The chicken should be seared in a hot pan for no more than 2 minutes per side for color and texture.
400°F is best. With a higher temperature, the chicken gets a gorgeous golden-brown color, cooks quicker, and retains its moisture. This means there is less of a chance that it dries out. At 350°F, it's harder for it to get a crispy skin and lock in the juices.
Uncovered baking allows the chicken to develop a crispy exterior. Without a cover, the heat can directly reach the surface of the chicken, resulting in a desirable golden-brown color and crispy texture.
Again, you want to aim for 165 degrees F, but remember that once you remove the chicken from the heat, it will continue to cook. To have the juiciest breast, pull the dish outaround 160-162 degrees and the chicken will continue to cook an extra few degrees once removed from the heat.
Brine: Brining the chicken in a solution of water and salt will boost the chicken's natural flavor and ensure the meat has enough moisture to stay tender as it cooks. This step will ensure your roast chicken breasts won't be dry or tough.
It delivers mouth-watering results: By using foil to bake chicken, you seal in its juices as it steams. This keeps your chicken moist and wonderfully flavorful. It gives you a complete meal in a packet: While you can bake your chicken alone, using foil allows you to build a delicious, all-in-one meal.
Make sure your chicken breast is well-seasoned before adding it to the pan. Cook each side evenly until brown. Once done, bake the chicken breast in a pre-heated oven until juices run clear. The crispy skin from the sear will help keep juices intact while baking cooks the insides through without drying them out.
The Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover sheet pan with parchment paper. Lay out seasoned chicken on parchment. Bake chicken in preheated oven for 20 to 24 minutes minutes, until it's just cooked through.
How Long to Bake Chicken at 350 degrees F. Baking a whole chicken is like roasting a turkey. At 350 degrees you should count on 20-25 minutes per pound for a 3 to 8 pound chicken. As with all meats, check the temperature 15-20 minutes before the time it should be done.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Drizzle olive oil over chicken breasts coating all sides.
If you're following a specific recipe, then don't deviate! Otherwise, follow this general formula: Cook large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for 20 to 30 minutes in a 375-degree-F oven. Cook large, bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for 35 to 40 minutes in a 375-degree-F oven.
White chicken meat is very lean.
The best way to do this is to cook it to the proper temperature. Overcooking leads to dry, tough, sawdusty meat with nearly no flavor.
The Best Temperature for Baking Chicken, According to Chefs
Each of the chefs I spoke to told me the same thing—while there's a range of temperatures that will accomplish the task of baking a chicken, 400°F is practically foolproof, no matter the cut.
Be sure to poke holes throughout the foil to allow for proper airflow.
To Bake Chicken Breast at 400°F: This will take between 22 and 26 minutes depending on the size of the chicken breasts. You can cook chicken breasts at 350°F for closer to 25-30 minutes (although I prefer the higher heat above).
2. Brining: Some restaurants brine the chicken, which means soaking it in a salty solution. This not only adds flavor but also helps the chicken retain moisture, keeping it tender when cooked.
The key to juicy chicken breasts is to cook them hot at 425°F (220°C) for the right amount of time. To nail this down, it depends on the size of your chicken breasts and your unique oven (remember, all ovens cook differently). Here's a general guideline to follow: Small Breasts (5oz): cook for 18 to 20 minutes.
Cooking in a Cold Pan
Instead of searing or sauteing, you're effectively steaming it. Your chicken breast will come out pale, white, and overcooked rather than with a flavorful brown crisp exterior. The easy solution is to let your pan (or grill) get hot before you add the chicken.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F, place the chicken breast on a tin foil lined sheet tray, and bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes. The key to not overcooking the chicken breast is to take its temperature using a digital probe thermometer that can stay in the oven during the cooking process.