How to Make Chicken in the Oven

Not only is chicken a delicious meal, but it is very healthy as well.

Baking chicken not only provides you with a delicious and healthy meal, it also gives you the enjoyment of preparing your own food. Since chicken is so cheap and accessible, oven-baked chicken is an American favorite. You can change the flavor of the chicken with a variety of seasonings, and make the recipe your own. Does this Spark an idea?

Print this article

Whole chicken
Oven
Paper towels
Baking dish
Butter
Italian seasoning (optional)
Salt (optional)
Oven mittens
Meat thermometer

Instructions

- 1
  
  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Unwrap the whole chicken and wash it in the sink. Dry the chicken with paper towels. If the chicken is not fully dry, it will not brown properly. Place chicken in a baking dish.
- 2
  
  Melt butter and pour over chicken. Ensure the butter has covered the chicken completely. This will give the chicken flavor and keep it from sticking to the baking dish. Season the chicken with Italian seasoning and salt. Use other seasonings if you wish to make this dish your own.
- 3
  
  Place chicken in the oven and allow it to cook for 20 minutes for each pound it weighs. Many whole chickens are approximately 4 lbs. A 4-lb. chicken will cook for about one and a half hours. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The internal temperature should be at least 165 degrees.
- 4
  
  Take the chicken out of the oven using oven mitts. Check the color. If the chicken is not golden brown, turn the oven up to 400 degrees and place the chicken back in for ten minutes. Allow chicken to cool before serving.