How do you calculate how long to cook a chicken?

Remember:

- 1 pound of whole chicken = 1 to 1 1/4 pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts or thighs.

- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs = 4 ounces of chicken tender.

Steps:

1. Get the weight of the chicken.

2. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).

3. Use the following formula: Cooking Time = (Weight of Chicken in Pounds) × 15 Minutes

- For example, a 4-pound chicken would cook for 4 × 15 = 60 minutes.

Tips:

- For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) in the thickest part of the breast or thigh.

- If you're cooking a bone-in chicken, add an additional 5 minutes per pound to the cooking time.

- If you're cooking a skin-on chicken, leave the skin on to help the chicken retain its moisture.

- Baste the chicken with cooking oil once during the cooking process to keep it from drying out.

- Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before carving and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and tender chicken.