How to Cook Chicken (Perfect Every Time)

Learn how to cook chicken with simple steps — and discover what to cook with it for your family.

Prep

2 min

Cook

20–35 min

Serves

2–4

Step-by-Step: How to Cook Chicken

Best way to cook chicken  ·  Cooking time 20–35 min  ·  Tips for perfect results

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, and your choice of spices.

  2. For pan cooking: heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.

  3. Add chicken and cook without moving it for 5–7 minutes until a golden crust forms.

  4. Flip and cook the other side for 5–7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

  5. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before cutting — this keeps the juices inside.

Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken

This is where most people get it wrong.

  • Always use a meat thermometer. 165°F (74°C) internal temperature is the safe minimum.
  • Pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook uniformly.
  • Marinating for even 30 minutes dramatically improves flavour and tenderness.

How long to cook chicken

20–35 min after boiling / heating

Best way to cook chicken

Pan / Oven method

Common mistakes when cooking chicken

See pro tips above

Cooking is easy. Deciding what to cook is not.

Every family knows this moment:

“What should we eat tonight?”

That's the real problem. Not cooking — deciding. FamilyPlate solves this by planning your full week for you, based on your family's tastes, dietary needs, and favourite cuisines.

What to cook with chicken (family meal ideas)

Here are easy, family-approved meals you can make with chicken tonight:

🥦

Classic Chicken Stir Fry

Tender chicken strips with bell peppers, broccoli, and a savory garlic-ginger sauce over rice.

Ready in 20 min  ·  Quick

🍋

Baked Lemon Herb Chicken

Juicy oven-baked chicken thighs with lemon, garlic, and rosemary.

Ready in 35 min  ·  Family favourite

🌮

Chicken Tacos

Shredded seasoned chicken in warm tortillas with avocado, salsa, and lime.

Ready in 25 min  ·  Kid-friendly

🍝

Chicken Pasta Bake

Creamy pasta baked with chicken, spinach, and mozzarella — comfort food the whole family will request again.

Ready in 40 min  ·  Crowd-pleaser

🍲

Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Warming one-pot soup with chicken, carrots, celery, and noodles — great for busy evenings.

Ready in 30 min  ·  High protein

Powered by AI

Stop deciding every day

Plan your entire week in seconds — based on your family's taste.

Plan your weekly meals in 30 seconds →
  • Used by families to plan meals every week
  • No credit card required
  • Takes less than 30 seconds

Frequently asked questions

You came here to cook chicken.

Leave with your entire week planned.

Get your first meal plan free →

✓ Free BETA access  ·  No credit card required