Cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the oven is a quick and easy way to get delicious, juicy chicken for meals. When baking chicken breasts at 350°F, the cooking time can vary based on a few factors like the size and thickness of the breasts and whether they are fresh or frozen. Typically, boneless chicken breasts take 15-25 minutes to cook through fully at 350°F.
Factors that affect chicken breast cooking time
There are a few key factors that impact the cooking time needed for boneless, skinless chicken breasts at 350°F:
Thickness of the chicken breasts
The thinner the chicken breast, the less time it will need to cook through fully. Thin chicken breasts about 1/2 inch thick may only need 15-18 minutes at 350°F. Thicker chicken breasts around 1 inch or more can take 20-25 minutes to reach 165°F internal temperature.
Boneless vs bone-in
Chicken breasts that still have the bone in will take longer to cook than boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The bones help insulate the meat, so bone-in breasts may need up to 30 minutes at 350°F to cook through.
Fresh vs frozen
Frozen chicken breasts take longer to cook than fresh chicken. Frozen breasts may require up to 25-30 minutes in a 350°F oven to fully thaw and cook through. Fresh boneless chicken breasts will cook in 15-25 minutes.
Brined vs unbrined
Chicken breasts that have been soaked in a brine before cooking tend to cook a little faster than unbrined chicken. The salt and water in a brine allow the chicken to retain more moisture, so it may cook 5-10 minutes faster.
Oven temperature
The hotter the oven, the less time needed to cook chicken breasts. At a lower 300°F oven, they may need 25-35 minutes. But at a high 375-400°F oven, the time drops to only 12-18 minutes. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step-by-step method for cooking chicken breasts at 350°F
Follow these simple steps for baking juicy, tender boneless chicken breasts:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Allow at least 10 minutes for oven to fully preheat before adding chicken.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, herbs, spices, etc.
- Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
- Bake for 15-25 minutes, depending on thickness. Thinner breasts around 1/2 inch thick will need less time closer to 15-18 minutes. Thicker breasts around 1 inch thick may need 20-25 minutes.
- Check temperature after 15 minutes. Insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. It should read 165°F when fully cooked.
- Let chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for the most tender, juicy chicken breasts
- Do not overcrowd the baking sheet. Leave space between each breast for even cooking.
- Avoid opening the oven as this will lower the temperature and increase cook time.
- Use an oven-safe meat thermometer to monitor the internal temp without having to open the oven.
- Allow chicken to rest before cutting so juices can redistribute into the meat.
- Brush chicken with oil or melted butter to help prevent it from drying out.
- Try pounding chicken to an even thickness so it cooks evenly.
How long to cook frozen boneless chicken breasts at 350°F
Cooking frozen chicken breasts in a 350°F oven will take longer than fresh chicken. Here are some guidelines for frozen boneless chicken breast cook times:
- Smaller, thinner frozen breasts (4-6 oz): 22-28 minutes
- Larger, thicker frozen breasts (8-12 oz): 28-35 minutes
- Do not thaw before baking. Cook directly from frozen state.
- Always check internal temperature to ensure chicken reaches 165°F.
- Increase time as needed to fully cook through larger, thicker breasts.
The key is allowing enough time for the chicken to thaw and cook through fully. Frozen chicken may need up to 10 extra minutes over fresh. Monitor carefully and adjust oven time as needed.
How long to bake chicken breasts at 375°F
Cooking chicken breasts at 375°F will take a little less time than 350°F. Here are some estimates:
- Fresh, thin boneless breasts (1/2 inch): 14-18 minutes
- Fresh, thick boneless breasts (1 inch): 18-22 minutes
- Frozen, small boneless breasts (4-6 oz): 20-25 minutes
- Frozen, large boneless breasts (8-12 oz): 25-30 minutes
The higher oven temperature of 375°F means the heat will penetrate the chicken quicker. But always check internal temperature just to be safe.
How long to cook chicken breasts at 400°F
At an extra hot 400°F oven, chicken breasts cook very fast. Follow these baked chicken times as a guide:
- Fresh, thin boneless breasts: 12-15 minutes
- Fresh, thick boneless breasts: 15-18 minutes
- Frozen, small boneless breasts: 18-22 minutes
- Frozen, large boneless breasts: 22-28 minutes
It’s easy to overcook chicken at such high heat, so monitor carefully and remove from oven as soon as the minimum cook time is reached and temperature is 165°F.
Cooking times for chicken breasts in oven at 350°F
For easy reference, here are the estimated cooking times for bone-in and boneless chicken breasts at 350°F oven temperature:
| Chicken Breast Type | Cook Time at 350°F |
|---|---|
| Fresh boneless, thin (1/2 inch) | 15-18 minutes |
| Fresh boneless, thick (1 inch) | 20-25 minutes |
| Frozen boneless, small (4-6 oz) | 22-28 minutes |
| Frozen boneless, large (8-12 oz) | 28-35 minutes |
| Bone-in | 25-35 minutes |
Always verify chicken reaches 165°F internally before removing from oven. If unsure, check temperature early and continue cooking if needed.
Conclusion
The exact oven bake time for boneless, skinless chicken breasts at 350°F can vary based on the size, thickness, and whether fresh or frozen. On average, fresh thin chicken breasts take 15-18 minutes, while thick breasts are 20-25 minutes. Frozen small and large chicken breasts range from 22-35 minutes to fully cook through. Monitoring temperature and adjusting time is the best way to ensure perfectly cooked chicken every time. With a few simple tips, baking boneless chicken breasts at 350°F yields tender, juicy results.
