How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken

Follow these expert guidelines to cook flavorful, juicy chicken, including how long to cook a whole chicken and how long to bake chicken pieces.

Chicken is perhaps the easiest and most versatile main ingredient you can cook for the family. So if you arrived on this page and already have a chicken recipe in mind or want to simply bake chicken for weekly meal prep, you're in the right place. Here you'll find out how long to roast a chicken and all the cooking times you need for meaty chicken pieces or quarters.

We don't stop at just roasting—we've got the full breakdown of how long to cook chicken in a skillet, under the broiler, and even by boiling. No matter which method you prefer, you'll find how long to cook a chicken.

Andy Lyons

How Long to Cook a Whole Chicken

Roast chicken is juicy and delicious. Check out our complete instructions and tips for cooking a whole chicken. Knowing how long to roast a chicken is key. Listed here are the exact cooking times by weight. The chicken is done when a meat thermometer reads 175°F in the thigh muscle or until drumsticks move easily in sockets.

How long to roast a chicken at 375°F:

  • 2½- to 3-pound chicken: Roast 1 to 1¼ hours
  • 3½- to 4-pound chicken: Roast 1¼ to 1½ hours
  • 4½- to 5-pound chicken: Roast 1¾ to 2 hours

Fire up your grill and cook a whole chicken with these times and weights in mind:

  • For a 2½- to 3-pound chicken, grill for 1 to 1¼ hours
  • For a 3½- to 4-pound bird, grill for 1¼ to 1¾ hours
  • For a 4½- to 5-pound chicken, grill for 1¾ to 2 hours

You can also cook a whole chicken by boiling (poaching) and make a stock from the bones using our recipe.

How Long to Cook Chicken Breast and Other Meaty Pieces

In addition to chicken breast, meaty pieces include drumsticks and thighs. Doneness should be determined with an instant-read thermometer ($15, Target): 165°F for breast meat and at least 175° for thighs and drumsticks.

  • Bake chicken at 375°F for 45 to 50 minutes. View the full range of times and temperatures for chicken legs and quarters and breast meat in our detailed guides.
  • Grill chicken thighs for 12 to 15 minutes and chicken breast halves 15 to 18 minutes. Get our full guide on grilling chicken.
  • Broil chicken pieces 25 to 35 minutes. Learn all the steps to easily broil chicken.
  • Sauté chicken breast 12 to 15 minutes (6 to 8 minutes for flattened chicken or tenders) and 14 to 18 minutes for chicken thighs. Learn how to sauté chicken like a pro with tips from our Test Kitchen.
  • Boil (poach) boneless chicken breast halves 12 to 15 minutes (bone-in chicken breast should cook for about 30 minutes). We've got a guide to boiling chicken, too.

Craving chicken yet? Practice cooking a whole chicken, chicken breast, or meaty pieces using any method with an easy chicken recipe or healthy chicken dinner tonight. You can make some crispy fried chicken in the oven or roast a whole chicken with herbs or a homemade rub. Bring the heat with a spicy chicken recipe if you like a little kick in your meals. The possibilities are endless.

How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken

How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken

The proper cooking time and the correct cooking temperature are extremely important when preparing any type of poultry. The optimum flavor and tenderness of turkey, chicken, duck, or any other type of poultry can be consistently achieved when care is taken to follow the recommended cooking time and temperature guidelines.

Using the recommended time and temperature guidelines will ensure that the meat is cooked to the minimum safe internal temperature, which is critical in preventing food-borne illness that can be caused by undercooked poultry. Using an accurate meat thermometer is the best way to ensure the proper doneness of poultry.

Use the following chart as a cooking time and temperature guide for various types of poultry that are oven baked or roasted, stewed, grilled, or are inserted into an oven bag prior to cooking. See the articles, "Chicken - Checking Doneness" and "Turkey Doneness" for additional information on determining the proper doneness of these types of meat.

POULTRY Cooking Times and Temperatures

Oven Baked or Roasted Poultry

Type of Poultry Oven Temperature Weight Approximate Cooking Time
Unstuffed Stuffed
Chicken 350°F 2 1/2 - 3 lbs. 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 hours
Chicken 350°F 3 - 4 lbs. 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 hours
1 3/4 - 2 hours
Chicken 350°F 4 - 6 lbs. 1 3/4 - 2 hours 2 - 2 1/4 hours
Cornish hen 350°F 1 - 2 lbs. 1 - 1 1/4 hours 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours
Capon 325°F 5 - 6 lbs. 1 3/4 - 2 hours 2 1/2 - 3 hours
Capon 325°F 6 - 8 lbs. 2 1/4 - 3 1/2 hours 3 - 4 hours
Turkey (whole) 325°F 8 - 12 lbs. 2 3/4 - 3 hours 3 - 3 1/2 hours
Turkey (whole) 325°F 12 - 14 lbs. 3 - 3 3/4 hours 3 1/2 - 4 hours
Turkey (whole) 325°F 14 - 18 lbs. 3 3/4 - 4 1/4 hours
4 - 4 1/4 hours
Turkey (whole) 325°F 18 - 20 lbs. 4 1/4 - 4 1/2 hours 4 1/4 - 4 3/4 hours
Turkey (whole) 325°F 20 - 24 lbs. 4 1/2 - 5 hours 4 3/4 - 5 1/2 hours
Turkey breast (half) 325°F 2 - 3 lbs. 50 - 60 minutes
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Turkey breast (whole) 325°F 4 - 6 lbs. 1 1/2 - 2 1/4 hours
Turkey breast (whole) 325°F 6 - 8 lbs. 2 1/4 - 3 1/4 hours
Turkey drumsticks 325°F 3/4 - 1 lb. 2 - 2 1/4 hours
Turkey thighs 325°F 3/4 - 1 lb. 1 3/4 - 2 hours
Turkey wings 325°F 6 - 8 oz. 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 hours
Goose 350°F 10 - 12 lbs. 2 3/4 - 3 1/4 hours 3 - 3 1/2 hours
Duck 350°F 4 - 5 lbs. 2 - 2 1/2 hours 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 hours

Note: Start with meat at refrigerator temperature. Remove the meat from the oven when the
meat thermometer reads 175°- 180°F; the temperature will continue to rise as the meat stands.

Stewed Poultry

Type of Poultry Weight Approximate Cooking Time
Unstuffed Stuffed
Whole chicken, broiler fryer 3 - 4 lbs. 1 - 1 1/4 hours 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 hours
Whole chicken, roaster 5 - 7 lbs. 1 3/4 - 2 hours 2 - 2 1/2 hours
Whole Cornish hens 18 - 24 oz. 35 - 40 minutes 50 - 70 minutes
Breast half, chicken (bone-in) 6 - 8 oz. 35 - 45 minutes
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Breast half, chicken (boneless) 4 oz. 25 - 30 minutes
Leg or thigh, chicken 8 or 4 oz. 40 - 50 minutes
Drumstick, chicken 4 oz. 40 - 50 minutes
Wing or wingette/drumette, chicken 2 - 3 oz. 35 - 45 minutes

Grilled Poultry

Type of Poultry Weight Approximate Cooking Time
(internal temperature 180°F)
Unstuffed Stuffed
Whole chicken, broiler fryer (indirect heat) 3 - 4 lbs. 60 - 70 minutes 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 hours
Whole chicken, roaster (indirect heat) 5 - 7 lbs. 18 - 25 minutes per lb. 23 - 55 minutes per lb.
Whole cornish hens (indirect heat) 18 - 24 oz. 45 - 55 minutes 1 - 1 1/2 hours
Whole turkey (indirect heat) 8 - 12 lbs. 2 - 3 hours
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Whole turkey (indirect heat) 12 - 16 lbs. 3 - 4 hours
Whole duckling (indirect heat) 4 1/2 lbs. 2 1/2 hours
Whole goose (indirect heat) 8 - 12 lbs. 18 - 20 minutes per lb.
Whole capon (indirect heat) 4 - 8 lbs. 15 - 20 minutes per lb.
Breast half, chicken (bone-in) 6 - 8 oz. 10 - 15 minutes per side
Breast half, chicken (boneless) 4 oz. 8 - 10 minutes per side
Breast half, chicken (boneless) 6 - 8 oz. 10 - 15 minutes per side
Leg or thigh, chicken 8 or 4 oz. 10 - 15 minutes per side
Drumstick, chicken 4 oz. 8 - 12 minutes per side
Drumstick, chicken 8 - 16 oz. 10 - 15 minutes per side
Wing or wingette/drumette, chicken 2 - 3 oz. 8 - 12 minutes per side
Note: When grilling with Indirect Heat generally the coals (or burners on a gas grill) are heated to a high heat. When grilling with Direct Heat the coals (or burners on a gas grill) are heated to a medium heat. Use these heat settings unless you have a recipe that states something different. See how to test the grill temperature.

Poultry Cooked at 350°F in an Oven Bag

Type of Poultry Total Weight Approximate Cooking Time
Regular-Size
Oven Bag
10" x 16"
Large-Size
Oven Bag
14" x 20"
Turkey-Size
Oven Bag
19" x 23 1/2"
Whole turkey (unstuffed) 8 - 12 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
1 1/2 - 2 hours
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Whole turkey (unstuffed) 12 - 16 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
2 - 2 1/2 hours
Whole turkey (unstuffed) 16 - 20 lbs. 2 1/2 - 3 hours
Whole turkey (unstuffed) 20 - 24 lbs. 3 - 3 1/2 hours
Whole turkey (stuffed) 8 - 12 lbs. 2 - 2 1/2 hours
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Whole turkey (stuffed) 12 - 16 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
2 1/2 - 3 hours
Whole turkey (stuffed) 16 - 20 lbs. 3 - 3 1/2 hours
Whole turkey (stuffed) 20 - 24 lbs. 3 1/2 - 4 hours
Turkey breast (bone-in) 4 - 8 lbs. 1 1/4 - 2 hours
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Turkey breast (bone-in) 10 - 12 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
2 1/4 - 2 3/4 hours
Turkey breast (boneless) 2 1/2 - 3 lbs. 1 1/4-1 3/4 hours
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Turkey breast (boneless) 5 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
2-2 1/4 hours
Turkey breast (boneless) 8 - 12 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
3 - 3 1/2 hours
Turkey drumsticks 1 1/2 - 2 lbs. 1 1/2-1 3/4 hours
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Turkey drumsticks 2 - 3 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
1 1/2 - 1 3/4 hours
Chicken pieces 2 - 2 1/4 lbs. 45 - 50 minutes
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Chicken pieces 2 3/4 - 3 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
45 - 50 minutes
Chicken thighs 1/2 - 1 1/2 lbs. 35 - 40 minutes
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Chicken thighs 1 1/2 - 2 1/4 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
35 - 40 minutes
Chicken drumsticks
1 - 1 1/2 lbs. 35 - 40 minutes
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Chicken drumsticks 2 - 2 1/2 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
35 - 40 minutes
Chicken breast half (bone-in) 1 1/2 - 2 lbs. 40 - 45 minutes
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Chicken breast half (bone-in) 2 - 2 1/2 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
40 - 45 minutes
Chicken breast half (boneless) 3/4 - 1 lbs. 25 - 30 minutes
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Chicken breast half (boneless) 1 - 1 1/2 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
25 - 30 minutes
Whole chicken 3 1/2 - 4 lbs. 1 - 1 1/4 hours
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Whole chicken 5 - 7 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours
Cornish hens 1 1/2 - 3 1/2 lbs. 40 - 45 minutes
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
Cornish hens 4 - 7 lbs.
How long do i cook a 6 lb chicken
55 - 60 minutes
Oven Bag Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add 1 tablespoon flour to the oven bag and distribute evenly on the inside of the bag prior to inserting the poultry. Brush the poultry with vegetable oil or butter. Remove the poultry from the oven when the meat thermometer reaches 180°F. If using a turkey-size oven bag for poultry smaller than 12 lbs., gather the oven bag loosely around the meat allowing room for heat circulation; then close the bag with a nylon tie, and cut away any excess oven bag.

Is it better to bake a whole 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 a 6 lb chicken take to cook at 400?

A general rule of thumb is to cook bone-in chicken for 22 minutes per pound at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, we always recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken before serving.

How many minutes per pound do you cook chicken?

Place the chicken, breast side down, on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F and continue roasting until chicken is cooked (general rule of thumb for cooking chicken is 15 minutes per pound to cook and 10 minutes to rest).

How long does a whole chicken take at 400?

Roast the chickens at 400 degrees for about an hour and a half, depending on the size of the birds. The way I figure time for this is to take the average weight of one of the chickens (say, 4.5 lbs) and calculate 15 minutes per pound (that would be about 67 minutes for a 4.5 lb chicken).