Cooking cubed chicken breast in the oven is quick and simple. Generally, baking time for cubed chicken breast pieces is about 15 to 25 minutes when you use a common oven temperature for cubed chicken breast, like 400°F (200°C) or 425°F (220°C). How long to bake chicken breast cubes at 400°F is typically in that 18-22 minute range, but this can change based on the size of your cubes and your specific oven. You’ll know your chicken is done when it reaches the safe internal temperature for chicken, which is 165°F (74°C). We will discuss how to tell if cubed chicken is done using a thermometer later.
Cooking chicken this way is great because it’s fast, healthy, and needs little cleanup. You can add the cooked chicken to salads, pasta, tacos, stir-fries, and more. Let’s look closely at how long it takes and how to get it right every time.
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Grasping the Cooking Time
How long chicken cubes take to cook is not one exact number. Several things make the cooking time different. Knowing these things helps you get perfectly cooked chicken every time.
What Affects How Long It Takes
- Size of the Cubes: This is a big one. Smaller cubes cook faster. Big cubes take more time. If your pieces are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) all around, they cook quickly. If they are closer to 1.5 inches (about 4 cm), they need more time. Try to cut your chicken into pieces that are about the same size. This way, they finish cooking at the same time.
- Oven Temperature: A hotter oven cooks food faster. Most recipes use 400°F (200°C) or 425°F (220°C) for cubed chicken. Cooking at 375°F (190°C) will take longer, maybe 25-35 minutes. Cooking at 425°F might be as fast as 12-18 minutes for small cubes. The oven temperature for cubed chicken breast is key to getting that nice slightly browned outside while keeping the inside juicy.
- How Cold the Chicken Is: Chicken right out of the fridge will take a little longer than chicken that has sat out for a few minutes to lose its chill. It is best not to cook chicken that is still partly frozen. Make sure it is fully thawed first.
- Crowding the Pan: If you put too many chicken pieces on the baking sheet, they will steam instead of bake. This makes the chicken less browned and can slow down cooking. Make sure there is space around each piece so hot air can touch all sides.
- Your Specific Oven: Ovens can be different. One oven might be hotter than the temperature you set. Another might be cooler. Knowing your oven helps you guess the baking time cubed chicken needs. Using an oven thermometer can help you know the real temperature inside your oven.
Setting the Right Oven Temperature
For cubed chicken breast, a temperature between 400°F (200°C) and 425°F (220°C) is usually best. This range is hot enough to cook the chicken fairly fast but not so hot that the outside burns before the inside is done.
Why These Temperatures Work
- 400°F (200°C): This is a very common temperature. It gives you some wiggle room. The outside gets a little color, and the inside cooks through nicely without drying out too fast. How long to bake chicken breast cubes at 400°F is a question many people ask, and it’s a good starting point for many dishes.
- 425°F (220°C): This cooks chicken faster. It’s good if you are in a hurry or want a little more browning on the outside. You need to watch the chicken more closely at this temperature to make sure it doesn’t overcook.
Cooking at lower temperatures, like 350°F (175°C), is also possible. But the cooking time for chicken breast pieces at 350°F will be longer, maybe 25-35 minutes or more. The chicken might not get as much color on the outside.
Simple Steps for Baking Cubed Chicken
Here is a basic way to cook cubed chicken breast in the oven. This method gives you tasty chicken ready for many meals.
What You Need
- About 1 pound (450g) of boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or other cooking oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Your favorite seasonings (like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dried herbs)
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper or foil (optional, for easy cleanup)
- A cutting board and knife
- A meat thermometer
Prepping the Chicken
- Get the Chicken Ready: Take the chicken breast out of the package. Pat it dry with paper towels. Dry chicken browns better.
- Cut into Cubes: Put the chicken on a clean cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes. Try to make them all about the same size. Aim for pieces around 1 inch (2.5 cm). If you like bigger pieces, that’s fine, but know they will need more cooking time.
- Season the Chicken: Put the chicken cubes in a medium bowl. Drizzle the oil over the chicken. Add salt, pepper, and your other seasonings. Mix everything together with a spoon or your hands. Make sure all the chicken pieces are coated with oil and seasonings. This step is part of many easy baked cubed chicken recipe ideas.
Baking the Chicken
- Heat the Oven: Turn your oven on to 400°F (200°C). Let it heat up fully. This takes about 10-15 minutes. It’s important that the oven is hot when you put the chicken in. This helps it cook correctly. The oven temperature for cubed chicken breast should be set before you start cutting.
- Prep the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil if you want easy cleanup. Or, you can just use the baking sheet itself.
- Spread the Chicken: Lay the seasoned chicken cubes on the baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure the pieces are not touching much. Give them some space. This helps them bake nicely instead of steaming. Proper spacing impacts the baking time cubed chicken requires.
- Put in the Oven: Carefully put the baking sheet into the hot oven. Place it in the middle rack.
- Set a Timer: For 1-inch cubes at 400°F, start checking around 15 minutes. For slightly larger cubes, you might need 18-22 minutes. How long to bake chicken breast cubes at 400°F varies, so checking is key.
Checking If Your Chicken Is Ready
Knowing exactly when chicken is cooked is the most important part. You don’t want to eat chicken that is not cooked enough (this is not safe!), and you don’t want to cook it too long (this makes it dry and tough). The best way is to use a meat thermometer.
Using a Thermometer
- What Temperature to Look For: The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C). This temperature kills bad germs.
- How to Check: Take the baking sheet out of the oven carefully. Pick the biggest piece of chicken you can find on the sheet. Stick the tip of a meat thermometer into the center of that piece. Make sure the tip is not touching the pan.
- Read the Temperature: Wait a few seconds for the thermometer to show a steady number. If it reads 165°F (74°C) or higher, the chicken is done. Check a couple of other large pieces just to be sure.
- If It’s Not Done: If the temperature is below 165°F, put the baking sheet back in the oven. Check again in 2-4 minutes. Keep checking until it reaches 165°F.
Knowing the internal temp for cooked chicken cubes is the most reliable way to know they are safe and ready to eat.
Other Ways to Tell (Use With Caution!)
You can also look at the chicken, but a thermometer is better. Here is how to tell if cubed chicken is done by looking:
- Color: Cooked chicken should not be pink in the center. It should be white all the way through.
- Juices: If you cut into a piece, the juices should run clear, not pink or red.
- Firmness: Cooked chicken will feel firm when you press it lightly with a fork. Raw chicken feels soft and squishy.
These visual checks are good for a quick look, but they are not as safe or accurate as using a thermometer. Always use a thermometer to be sure the internal temp for cooked chicken cubes is 165°F (74°C). This is the safe internal temperature for chicken.
Addressing Different Cooking Situations
Sometimes you might cook chicken differently, like if it is marinated. This can change the cooking time slightly.
Marinated Chicken Cubes Oven Cooking Time
When chicken is marinated, it can sometimes cook a little faster, especially if the marinade has acids like lemon juice or vinegar. These acids can start to “cook” the outside of the chicken slightly. Also, marinades add moisture.
- Cooking Time: Marinated chicken cubes oven cooking time is often similar to unmarinated chicken, but you might find it cooks a minute or two faster. Still aim for that 15-25 minute range at 400°F (200°C) or 425°F (220°C).
- Checking Doneness: Always use a thermometer! The color of marinated chicken might be different because of the marinade, so relying on color alone is not good. Check that internal temp for cooked chicken cubes is 165°F (74°C).
Make sure to shake off extra marinade before putting the chicken on the baking sheet. Too much liquid can make the chicken steam instead of bake nicely.
Tips for Cooking Cubed Chicken in Oven
Here are some helpful hints for getting the best results when baking chicken cubes. These tips for cooking cubed chicken in oven will help make sure your chicken is moist and flavorful every time.
- Don’t Skip Preheating: A hot oven from the start cooks the chicken evenly and helps it brown.
- Use Oil or Marinade: A little oil or marinade helps keep the chicken from sticking to the pan and adds flavor. It also helps the outside get a nice texture.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: As mentioned, space is important for even cooking and browning. Use two baking sheets if needed.
- Try Turning the Chicken: For even cooking and browning on all sides, you can gently stir or turn the chicken pieces halfway through the baking time cubed chicken needs. For example, if you think it will take 20 minutes, stir at 10 minutes.
- Rest the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): Once the chicken is cooked (165°F internal temp), take the pan out of the oven. You can cover the pan loosely with foil. Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes before serving or adding to other dishes. This helps the juices stay in the chicken, making it more moist.
- Know Your Oven: If your oven runs hot or cold, adjust the temperature or cooking time slightly. An oven thermometer is a cheap tool that helps a lot.
- Cut Evenly: Cutting chicken into pieces that are about the same size means they will all finish cooking around the same time. This stops some pieces from getting dry while others are still undercooked.
An Easy Baked Cubed Chicken Recipe
Here is a simple recipe that uses the methods we talked about. This easy baked cubed chicken recipe is great for beginners and very tasty.
Simple Oven Chicken Cubes
This recipe uses common seasonings. Feel free to change them based on what you like.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15-25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This is the oven temperature for cubed chicken breast we will use.
- Prep Pan: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut Chicken: Pat chicken dry. Cut into roughly 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes.
- Season: Put chicken cubes in a bowl. Add olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well to coat all pieces.
- Spread on Pan: Lay chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure pieces have some space between them.
- Bake: Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Check Doneness: After 15 minutes, take the pan out. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the largest piece. It should read 165°F (74°C). If not, put it back in for a few more minutes and check again. Total baking time cubed chicken needs at 400°F is usually around 18-22 minutes for 1-inch pieces.
- Rest: Once it reaches 165°F, take the pan out. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Serve: Use the chicken in your favorite dishes like salads, pasta, or stir-fries.
This basic method gives you moist, cooked chicken with good flavor. Remember, the cooking time for chicken breast pieces can change, so always check the temperature.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are fixes for common problems when baking cubed chicken.
Chicken Is Dry
- Reason: Most likely overcooked. Cooked too long or at too high a temperature without checking doneness.
- Fix: Next time, cook for less time and check the temperature earlier. Use a thermometer to be sure it reaches just 165°F (74°C) and no higher. Let the chicken rest after cooking. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
Chicken Is Not Cooked Inside (Still Pink)
- Reason: Did not cook long enough.
- Fix: Put the chicken back in the oven! Check the internal temp for cooked chicken cubes again in 2-4 minutes. Cook until it reaches 165°F (74°C). Make sure you cut the chicken into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Chicken Is Steaming, Not Browning
- Reason: Pan is too crowded. Or maybe too much liquid from a marinade.
- Fix: Use a larger baking sheet or two sheets next time so the chicken pieces have space. If using marinade, shake off excess liquid before putting on the pan. Make sure the oven is fully preheated to the correct oven temperature for cubed chicken breast.
Chicken Sticks to the Pan
- Reason: No oil or too little oil used. Or not using parchment paper/foil.
- Fix: Use enough oil to coat the chicken well. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy release and cleanup.
Why Baking Cubed Chicken Is So Great
Baking cubed chicken breast in the oven is a super useful skill.
- It’s Healthy: Baking needs less fat than frying. Chicken breast is lean protein.
- It’s Fast: Cooking time for chicken breast pieces cut into cubes is short, usually under 25 minutes.
- It’s Easy: Little hands-on time is needed. Just season, spread, and bake.
- It’s Versatile: Cooked chicken cubes can be added to almost any meal – salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups, stews, pasta, rice bowls, tacos, pizza, casseroles.
- Easy Cleanup: Especially if you use parchment paper.
Mastering the baking time cubed chicken needs means you always have a healthy protein ready to go for quick meals. Knowing the oven temperature for cubed chicken breast and the safe internal temperature for chicken (165°F or 74°C) takes the guesswork out of cooking.
Summarizing Key Points
- Time: Expect baking time cubed chicken breast to be about 15-25 minutes for 1-inch cubes.
- Temperature: Common oven temperature for cubed chicken breast is 400°F (200°C) or 425°F (220°C). How long to bake chicken breast cubes at 400°F is usually 18-22 minutes.
- Doneness: The most important check is the internal temp for cooked chicken cubes. It must reach 165°F (74°C) for safety. This is the safe internal temperature for chicken. Use a meat thermometer! This is the best way to tell if cubed chicken is done.
- Factors: Cube size, oven temp, crowding, and starting temperature affect cooking time.
- Tips: Cut evenly, don’t overcrowd, use oil or marinade, consider turning, and let rest.
- Marinades: Marinated chicken cubes oven cooking time is similar but always check temp.
Cooking chicken cubes in the oven is simple once you know these basics. It’s a reliable way to make a healthy protein quickly for any meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay if there is a little pink?
No. Cooked chicken must reach a safe internal temperature for chicken of 165°F (74°C). At this temperature, the chicken will be white all the way through, and the juices will run clear. Pink chicken is not safe to eat. Always use a thermometer to check the internal temp for cooked chicken cubes. This is the best way to tell if cubed chicken is done.
Can I cook cubed chicken from frozen?
It’s generally not recommended to cook chicken breasts directly from frozen if you cut them into small cubes first. It’s hard to cook them evenly this way. The outside might cook too fast while the inside is still frozen. For food safety and best results, thaw chicken completely in the refrigerator before cutting and baking.
What can I add to the baking sheet besides chicken?
You can bake vegetables alongside the chicken cubes. Cut veggies like bell peppers, onions, broccoli florets, or zucchini into pieces similar in size to the chicken cubes. Toss them with oil and seasonings just like the chicken. Spread them on the same baking sheet. The cooking time for chicken breast pieces and these vegetables is often similar, making it a quick sheet pan meal.
How do I store leftover cooked chicken cubes?
Let the chicken cool down fully after baking. Put the cooled chicken into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Can I reheat cooked chicken cubes?
Yes. You can reheat them in the microwave, in a skillet on the stove, or in the oven. In the oven, spread them on a baking sheet and heat at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. Be careful not to overheat, or they can get dry.