How Long to Cook a Whole Chicken
Roast chicken is juicy and delicious. Check out our complete 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.