Oven cooking chicken is one of the simplest and most effective ways to get juicy and tender meat. But, it has to be done correctly. Chicken can handle a certain amount of slow-baking, but it is generally wise to add liquid or coat the chicken to trap the moisture using that method. Cooking chicken pieces in the skin is a way to keep it moist without adding the calories of a breadcrumb or batter coating. Baking chicken pieces at a high temperature helps them cook quickly, which also helps keep them from drying out.
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Step 1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
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Step 2
Spray a roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray.
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Step 3
Place the chicken pieces in the roasting pan with the breasts on the inside and the legs arranged around the edges. Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle your favorite seasoning mix on top.
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Step 4
Bake the chicken pieces for 30 to 40 minutes, until they are crisp and brown.
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Step 5
Test for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest chicken breast. The chicken pieces are done when their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Things You'll Need
Paper towels Roasting pan Nonstick cooking spray Olive oil Seasoning Tongs Instant-read thermometer Tip Cover the chicken pieces with an aluminum foil tent if they seem to be browning too quickly. Warning Never try to gauge doneness visually; only a thermometer reading is reliable.
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references & resources
Food Network; Dad's Roast Chicken -- My Way with a Parsley Lemon Juice Oil; Dave Lieberman
"Good Housekeeping": Roast Chicken Pieces
Clemson University Extension; Safe Handling of Poultry; Pam Schmutz and Elizabeth Hoyle; September 2008
Food Network; Roasted Chicken with Balsamic Vinaigrette; Giada DeLaurentiis
references & resources
Food Network; Dad's Roast Chicken -- My Way with a Parsley Lemon Juice Oil; Dave Lieberman
"Good Housekeeping": Roast Chicken Pieces
Clemson University Extension; Safe Handling of Poultry; Pam Schmutz and Elizabeth Hoyle; September 2008
Food Network; Roasted Chicken with Balsamic Vinaigrette; Giada DeLaurentiis
- Paper towels
- Roasting pan
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Olive oil
- Seasoning
- Tongs
- Instant-read thermometer
Cover the chicken pieces with an aluminum foil tent if they seem to be browning too quickly.
Never try to gauge doneness visually; only a thermometer reading is reliable.
Food Network; Dad's Roast Chicken -- My Way with a Parsley Lemon Juice Oil; Dave Lieberman
"Good Housekeeping": Roast Chicken Pieces
Clemson University Extension; Safe Handling of Poultry; Pam Schmutz and Elizabeth Hoyle; September 2008
Food Network; Roasted Chicken with Balsamic Vinaigrette; Giada DeLaurentiis
