How long should you bake a chicken breast?

Baking time for a chicken breast varies from 20-45 minutes depending on ...

1) The size/weight and amount of the chicken breast(s);

2) The baking temperature;

3) Whether the breast is boneless & skinless or bone-in with skin);

4) Whether or not the recipe includes other ingredients such as soups, sauces, gravies and/or breading.

Since the question specifies "a chicken breast" only, an average sized bone-in breast should be cooked in a pre-heated oven for 20 minutes at 450 degrees or for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Some Helpfull Hints:

Boneless & skinless chicken has a bit less flavor and is a smidgen tougher and drier.

Bone-in & with skin chicken usually has more flavor and is a tad more tender and juicy.

NEVER eat under-cooked chicken. A tough, dry and chewey breast easily beats the heck out of contracting salmonella poisoning.

ALWAYS wash chicken and anything it touches during preparation very thoroughly to minimize the possibility of salmonella poisoning.

Bon appetit

Answer

Always let your whole chickens or chicken pieces sit in cold, salted water for 10 - 15 minutes and rinse well. This will get any bacteria out of it. Wipe with clean paper towel. I use "Shake & Bake" many times and it seals in the juices if the chicken is skinless and no bone. The temperatures and how long you should cook it are on the box of Shake 'N Bake. If you don't want to use that then clean the chicken, dry with paper towel and place on "slide" aluminum foil on a cookie sheet. I generally bake mine at 350 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes and then cut at the thickest point to see if the juices run clear. If you bake too long it becomes too dry.

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