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Chicken School

Chicken Cooking Times

Use our chart to make sure that your chicken is cooked to perfection every time.

Proper cooking times are not just about safety. In fact, most Canadians overcook their chicken, which can leave  it dry. From chicken breast to a whole roast chicken this chart ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time.

Internal temperature is measured using an instant-read food thermometer. Insert the thermometer in different spots, making sure to pay special attention to the chicken breasts and thighs which are the thickest parts of the meat. Food thermometers are available at most grocery stores in various formats and price ranges.

Roasting

CutInternal TemperatureAverage Cooking Time*
Boneless, skinless breast
Small piece (140 g raw) 
Large piece (200 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
35 minutes
45 minutes
Boneless, skinless thigh
Small piece (60 g raw)
Large piece (115 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
20 minutes
30 minutes
Bone-in, skinless thigh/drumstick
Small piece (80 g raw)
Large piece (130 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
35 minutes
45 minutes
Bone-in breast
Small piece (170 g raw)
Large piece (250 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
40 minutes
50 minutes
Bone-in legs
Small piece (200 g raw)
Large piece (300 g raw)
165°F (74°C) 
40 minutes
55 minutes
Ground chicken patties
(120 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
30 minutes
Whole chicken – stuffed
(1.5 kg raw)
180°F (82°C)
2 hours 10 minutes
Whole chicken – unstuffed
(1.5 kg raw)
180°F (82°C)
1 hour 40 minutes 
Wings
(90 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
25 minutes

*When to check the internal temperature – oven roasting uncovered, in a 350°F (180°C) oven.

Grilling

CutInternal TemperatureAverage Cooking Time*
Boneless, skinless breast
Small piece (140 g raw) 
Large piece (200 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
9 minutes per side
12 minutes per side
Boneless, skinless thigh
Small piece (60 g raw)
Large piece (115 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
5 minutes per side
8 minutes per side
Bone-in, skinless thigh/drumstick
Small piece (80 g raw)
Large piece (130 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
7 minutes per side
10 minutes per side
Bone-in breast
Small piece (170 g raw)
Large piece (250 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
14 minutes per side
17 minutes per side
Bone-in legs
Small piece (200 g raw)
Large piece (300 g raw)
165°F (74°C) 
15 minutes per side
18 minutes per side
Ground chicken patties
(120 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
6 minutes per side
Whole chicken – unstuffed
(1.5 kg raw)
180°F (82°C)
1 hour 25 minutes 
Wings
(90 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
8 minutes per side

*Medium heat with the lid down.

Skillet

CutInternal TemperatureAverage Cooking Time*
Boneless, skinless breast
Small piece (140 g raw) 
Large piece (200 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
8 minutes per side
11 minutes per side
Boneless, skinless thigh
Small piece (60 g raw)
Large piece (115 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
5 minutes per side
7 minutes per side
Bone-in, skinless thigh/drumstick
Small piece (80 g raw)
Large piece (130 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
8 minutes per side
11 minutes per side
Bone-in breast
Small piece (170 g raw)
Large piece (250 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
11 minutes per side
15 minutes per side
Bone-in legs
Small piece (200 g raw)
Large piece (300 g raw)
165°F (74°C) 
13 minutes per side
16 minutes per side
Ground chicken patties
(120 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
8 minutes per side
Wings
(90 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
8 minutes per side

*When to check the internal temperature – medium-high heat in a pre-heated skillet.

Breaded Chicken

CutInternal TemperatureAverage Cooking Time*
5 nuggets
(80 g raw) 
165°F (74°C)
20 minutes
2 tenders
(51 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
20 minutes
1 breaded chicken burger
(85 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
25 minutes
1 stuffed breaded chicken breast
(142 g raw)
165°F (74°C)
35 minutes
1 piece fried chicken
(200 g raw)
165°F (74°C) 
25 minutes

* Times are based on frozen, uncooked chicken.