Thick cuts or thin cuts, chicken is the OG meat of choice for a great many households when it comes to dinner recipes. Chicken is versatile, it cooks up nice and beautiful, and it has tons of recipes that are easy to follow.
However, undercooked chicken can threaten a person’s overall well-being. Similarly, overcooked chicken is chewy and unpleasant. We need to find a happy medium.
Usually, most chicken recipes guide you on how long to cook your chicken. So, how long should you cook thin chicken breast in the oven at 400?
Let’s just start you off with a basic rule of thumb. Chicken breast is boneless and a good source of lean protein. It is easy to cook. An ordinary cut of chicken breast would be cooked through in about 20-30 minutes. If you are doing thin chicken breast, it is safe to go with a 15-minute timer.
Cooking Chicken Breast in Oven at 400
That should be enough to get you started. But, if you are swapping the regular cutting of chicken with thin pieces you have to make your alterations to the timing. Some other factors come into play when calculating the cooking time. So, let’s delve a little deeper into it so you can understand how to alter your cooking time for any recipe from here on out.
Let’s start by addressing the biggest detail. A high temperature such as 400 degrees will cook your meat quickly. And if you’re not careful with thinner cuts of meat, your chicken may even burn to a char. But that high temperature is significant in cooking many dishes.
If you want a particularly juicy piece of chicken, it is best to cook it at a high temperature. This seals in the moisture and cooks the chicken all the way through while keeping the outside crispy and the insides tender.
So I never recommend bringing the temperature down to deal with thinner breast pieces. Because if you change the temperature, the texture and taste of your recipe will drastically decrease.
Blasting the meat at a higher temperature also helps with the browning and overall flavor profile of the meat.
Pro-Tip: make sure your oven is preheated to get the best possible results.
Are You Using Foils?
This is another major factor that can alter your cooking time. Foils trap heat in the meat, so they quicken the process of cooking. If you do not want to deal with even faster caramelization than you are already getting, pause the foils.
But, the biggest plus in cooking with foils is that it will trap moisture and prevent the chicken from drying out. Usually, thinner pieces of chicken are prone to drying out and becoming very rubbery.
So if you want to keep the texture and taste the same, take the gamble on the foil and just keep a close eye on the chicken as it cooks.
Also Try: Chicken Pie Recipe For True Food Lovers
The Best Way to Cook Thin Chicken Breast at 400
Cooking thin chicken breast in the oven is supposed to be a quick and simple recipe. It will be your quick-fix dinner. So, let’s not complicate it. We will keep it simple and straight to the point.
The first thing that you need to keep in mind is the marinade. Your marinade could be as simple as a herb rub on the chicken breast. But make sure you are letting the chicken rest for at least 2-3 hours before cooking, for the best taste.
Then either cover it with a foil or a lid and put it in your oven. After 15 minutes go in with a meat thermometer and check the temperature. Once the temperature rises to 165-175 degrees, it’s ready to be enjoyed.
Also read: How Long To Cook Chicken Thighs In Oven At 180
Conclusion
And there you have it. A simple and easy answer to all your questions. It is only a bit scary the first time you cook it. After that you will get the hang of the temperature settings and come up with your own preferences as to how you like to cook thin chicken breast in oven at 400. Don’t forget to share with us!
