# Chicken breast cooking times

How long to cook chicken breasts: **20–25 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan), 16–20 min in an air fryer at 180°C, 6–7 min per side pan-fried and 8–10 min per side under the grill**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/chicken-breast-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook chicken breasts

Times are for boneless, skinless breasts of about 180 g each.

Chicken breast: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) | 20–25 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Brushed with oil and seasoned. Skin-on, bone-in breasts take 35–40 minutes at 190°C. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 16–20 min | 180°C (350°F) | Brushed with oil; turn halfway. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) | 6–7 min per side | over a medium heat | In a little oil, turning once. Butterflied or flattened breasts take 3–4 minutes per side. |
| [Grill](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) | 8–10 min per side | under a medium-hot grill | Brushed with oil. |
| [Barbecue](https://feastflow.co.uk/bbq-cooking-times) | 6–8 min per side | over medium direct heat | Flattened or butterflied, with the lid down. |
| Poach | 12–15 min | in barely simmering stock or water | Cover the breasts, bring to a simmer, then keep it just below a simmer. |
| [Slow cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/slow-cooker-cooking-times) | 3–4 hours | on low | In a sauce or stock. 2–3 hours on high. Longer makes them dry. |
| [Pressure cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/pressure-cooker-cooking-times) | 8–10 min | on high pressure | With 250 ml stock; natural release for 5 minutes. |

Also see: [Chicken cooking time](https://feastflow.co.uk/roast-chicken-cooking-time) (whole chicken and chicken pieces).

## Before you start

For even cooking, bash the thick end with a rolling pin to an even thickness, about 2 cm, or butterfly it.

## How to tell it’s done

Firm and white all the way through, with clear juices.

**Food safety:** Cook until it reaches 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part, with no pink meat and clear juices.

**Tip:** Take breasts out at about 72°C and rest them for 5 minutes under foil: they reach 74°C and stay juicy.

## Questions

### How long to cook chicken breasts in the oven?

20–25 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Brushed with oil and seasoned. Skin-on, bone-in breasts take 35–40 minutes at 190°C.

### How long to cook chicken breasts in an air fryer?

16–20 min at 180°C (350°F). Brushed with oil; turn halfway.

### How long to pan-fry chicken breasts?

6–7 min per side over a medium heat. In a little oil, turning once. Butterflied or flattened breasts take 3–4 minutes per side.

### How long to grill chicken breasts?

8–10 min per side under a medium-hot grill. Brushed with oil.

### How long to barbecue chicken breasts?

6–8 min per side over medium direct heat. Flattened or butterflied, with the lid down.

### How long to poach chicken breasts?

12–15 min in barely simmering stock or water. Cover the breasts, bring to a simmer, then keep it just below a simmer.

### How long to cook chicken breasts in a slow cooker?

3–4 hours on low. In a sauce or stock. 2–3 hours on high. Longer makes them dry.

### How long to cook chicken breasts in a pressure cooker?

8–10 min on high pressure. With 250 ml stock; natural release for 5 minutes.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/