How long does it take to cook chicken in the oven at 400

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Baked Chicken Breast seasoned with a simple dry rub mixture and baked to tender and juicy perfection. This Baked Chicken Breast recipe is easy to make and incredibly flavorful!

How long does it take to cook chicken in the oven at 400

Baked Chicken Breast is one of those recipes I make all the time. Oven baked chicken breast is made quickly on a single baking pan and can be easily customize to your taste. Besides, if you are like me, you are always looking for easy chicken breast recipes!  If you are more of a dark meat lover, try out these Easy Baked Chicken Thighs!

Just like my baked pork chops recipe, I use a simple dry rub to season the chicken. The dry rub adds lots of flavor and a nice light crust that keeps the chicken juicy and tender.  I love serving slices of baked chicken breast alongside Broccoli Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes, or Roasted Green Beans. You can also use it to top salads or pasta dishes like this Roasted Tomato Pesto Pasta.

How long does it take to cook chicken in the oven at 400

How To Bake Chicken Breast

  • First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
  • Place the chicken breast on a rimmed baking sheet or in a baking dish. They can touch but not overlap.
  • Drizzle and rub with olive oil on both size. You can use a brush, if you prefer.
  • Season the chicken with the dry rub. I like to use my hands to make sure I massage the seasonings in. Remember to season both sides of the breast.
  • Bake, uncovered until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.

How long does it take to cook chicken in the oven at 400

How Long Does It Take To Bake Chicken Breast?

Timing is very important when baking boneless and skinless chicken breast. Chicken breast is a lean protein and tends to dry if baked for too long or at the wrong temperature.
Baking times vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken. A medium size chicken breast (5 to 6 ounces each), takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes to bake in a 400 degree oven. I always bake chicken breasts at 400 degrees Fahrenheit as the high temperature helps seal in the juices (and the flavor).

Do I Have To Brine the Chicken Before Baking?

Although brining is a great way to keep chicken juicy, you can make juicy oven baked chicken without using a brine. Make sure you follow my tips and you will end up with the juiciest and best baked chicken breast ever!
Also, keep in mind that most of the chicken sold in supermarkets, already contain some added water.

Can I Freeze Baked Chicken Breast?

Absolutely. Cool the chicken completely and store it in a freezer safe, airtight container container for up to 3 months.

Baked Chicken Breast Tips for Success

  • If your chicken breasts are too thick in certain areas, pound the chicken to even thickness with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
  • Use a rimmed baking sheet or baking pan. The chicken will release some of it's natural juices.
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before adding the oil or seasonings.
  • Don't skip the oil! I use 1 tablespoon of olive oil for this recipe, although a little extra wouldn't hurt! Since you don't have the skin to provide some needed fat to a very lean protein, some fat is needed to keep the chicken juicy.
  • Season the chicken generously on both sides. You can use any seasoning blend you like.
  • Bake uncovered.
  • Do not overcook. Always check the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer. Chicken breast should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • After removing the chicken from the the oven let the it rest before slicing it. Do not skip this step!
  • Save the pan drippings! Pour them over the sliced breast for extra flavor!
    How long does it take to cook chicken in the oven at 400

How long does it take to cook chicken in the oven at 400

Dry Rub

  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 5 - 6 ounces each)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil or parchment paper. You can also use a baking dish.

  • In a small bowl, mix the dry rub ingredients. Set aside.

  • Pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels.

  • Place the chicken in a single layer on the baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Rub the oil all over each chicken breast. Season the chicken with the dry rub on both sides.

  • Bake for 20 to 26 minutes or until the internal the internal temperature reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Time will vary depending on the size and thickness of each breast.

  • Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

  • If your chicken breasts are too thick in certain areas, pound the chicken to even thickness with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
  • Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees before consuming.

Sodium: 427mg | Calcium: 6mg | Vitamin C: 1mg | Vitamin A: 354IU | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 1g | Potassium: 430mg | Cholesterol: 72mg | Calories: 164kcal | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fat: 7g | Protein: 24g | Carbohydrates: 1g | Iron: 1mg

Kathy is the creator of Lemon Blossoms whose accomplishments include working as a professional chef at The Food Network to teaching cooking classes and working as a private chef for celebrity clients around L.A. She's here to help you make restaurant-worthy recipes at home. Her goal is to provide you with tried and tested recipes, step-by-step tutorials, videos, cooking tips and a little bit of food facts so you can be inspired and ready to cook fresh and easy home cooked meals daily.

Reader Interactions

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?

You can roast or bake anywhere between 325 and 450 degrees F. When roasting a whole chicken, a nice rule of them is to start at 400 to 425 degrees F and then turn the oven down to 350 after 15 minutes and cook until the internal temp of the chicken is 165 – 175 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.

How long does it take to cook raw chicken at 400 degrees?

Oven Baked To bake a boneless skinless chicken breast in the oven at 400°F, it will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes for a chicken breast that is approximately 1 inch thick to fully cook. You want to look for the internal temperature to reach 165°F at a minimum, and for the chicken to still be nice and tender.

Can I cook chicken at 400 degrees?

Chicken breast should be baked for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees. This will ensure that the chicken is cooked through and juicy. Cook time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breast. Chicken breast is considered done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

How long does it take to bake thin chicken breasts at 400?

At 400F thinly sliced boneless chicken breasts should take no longer than 15-20 minutes. At 350F it may need 25-30 minutes depending on how thin the chicken is sliced.