How Long Do You Cook A Whole Chicken

Cooking whole chickens is a relatively simple process although to ensure that you chicken is properly cooked through is important given the risks of food poisoning. So how long does chicken need to cook exactly?

The cooking time for a whole chicken will need to be calucated from the weight of the bird. Looking at the packaging which the chicken was purchased in will tell you the exact weight of the bird which you can use to cross reference against the chicken cooking guide below.

Bear in mind that different ovens operate at different temparatures. To be certain your chicken is cooked throughly before serving, simply skewer the deepest part of the meat (usually the breast or thigh area) and watch the flowing juices to ensure they are running clear and not pink. Better still, all kitchens should have an important impliment called a meat thermometer which are inexpensive gadgets which show you the actual internal temparature of your meats taking the guess work away.

The meat probe that I use is the Silicone Meat Thermometer 2″ Dial which is a really simple and effective tool which you can place in the chicken before cooking and leave in the bird during cooking.

Whole Chicken Cooking Times (unstuffed – refer to Cooking Chicken for information around cooking stuffed chickens)

These guidlines are to cook the whole chicken at a temperature of 350ºF (176ºC) – either use a skewer and check the juices before serving or better still invest in the meat thermometer.

2.5 – 3 lbs – 1 – 1hr 45 mins
3.5 – 4 lbs -1hr 30 mins to 1hr 45 mins
4.5 – 5 lbs -1hr 30 mins to 2hrs
5 – 6 lbs -1hr 45 mins to 2hrs 30 mins