How Long to Cook a Whole Chicken by Weight
A whole roasted chicken can be juicy and delicious. Knowing how long to roast one so that it is perfectly juicy and moist is important, because nobody likes a dry, overcooked chicken! The best way to tell if your chicken is done is when the meat thermometer registers the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until the drumsticks move easily in their sockets.
How Long Do You Bake a Whole Chicken Per Pound?
It's important to calculate the roasting time by weighing the oven-ready chicken (including stuffing) to determine how long it needs to be cooked in the oven. The best cooking temperature for a whole chicken is 375 degrees Fahrenheit and using that temperature, here's how long the whole chicken needs to cook:
|
Whole Chicken Weight |
Cook Time |
|
2.5 - 3 lbs. |
1 hour – 1 hour 15 minutes |
|
3.5 - 4 lbs. |
1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes |
|
4.5 – 5 lbs. |
1 hour 45 minutes – 2 hours |