Here’s how to tell when your chicken is done, along with some information on why we bake or roast chicken at so many different oven temperatures.
View of a cast iron skillet with bell peppers, onions, and spicy roasted chile miso chicken drumsticks
Everyone agrees on what the internal temperature of the chicken should be when it is finished baking or roasting, but your oven can be set to a variety of temperatures. What should you choose? Heres what to consider:
Can You Overbake Your Whole Chicken?
Yes, if left in the oven for longer than necessary, a whole chicken can become overbaked. To prevent this, it is strongly advised to begin checking the internal temperature of your chicken in the final few minutes of the recommended baking time. When a chicken is baked and done, the temperature should reach 165 degrees F.
How Long To Bake a Whole Chicken at 350?
Baking or roasting 2 takes roughly 65 to 80 minutes. 5 to 3 pounds of a whole chicken in a 350 degree oven, but it takes about 80 to 95 minutes to bake 3 pounds of chicken. A whole chicken weighing 5 to 4 pounds is cooked in the same oven at the same 350°F temperature.
If you want to roast or bake a large whole chicken of four people for a large gathering, 5 to 5 pounds will require roasting or baking for 1 hour 50 to 2 hours and 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the doneness of the meat using a meat thermometer; it should read between 165 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long to bake a 4lb chicken at 350F?
A 4 lbs. To cook a chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it would take 90 to 120 minutes overall at 350 degrees.
Whether the chicken is stuffed or unstuffed, skin-on or skinless, and the desired degree of doneness all affect the cooking time.
Aim for 160F with 10 minutes of rest time for a medium finish; 165F for done; and 170F for a well-done result.
To prevent overcooking or undercooking your chicken, especially if it is stuffed, use a probe thermometer.
A 4 lbs. Cooking time for stuffed chicken tends to be on the longer side, taking about two hours to reach 165F.
Although stuffing your chicken enhances the flavors, it’s best to bake them on the outside rather than inside the chicken.