What temperature should I cook boneless/skinless chicken breasts at?

AmazonRasta

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A friend of mine gave me a recipe to cook chicken breasts. I'm in the mood for chicken breasts, I know what seasonings to put on the chicken breasts, but I'm not sure at what temperature to cook them or how long to cook them for.

I'm putting salt, pepper, garlic and paprika on it. Trust me, it's good!

Does anybody know how long and at what temperature to cook them at?
 

AmazonRasta

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Thereds, I'm not marinating them, just simply washing the chicken and sprinkling the seasoning on. This is OK isn't it?
 

thereds

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You know the chicken is done when your whole place starts smelling of it.

I suggest marinating it for like 2 hours for the flavor of the marinade to set in.

What do you guys think?
 

thereds

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AR: make sure the oven reaches the desired temp. as yakko suggested. only then can you get the 15-20 mins cooking time.
 

ratkil

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You're supposed to cook it?!? Damn, and I wondered why mine always turn out so rubbery..........
 

thereds

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AR: So are you gonna marinate it and stick it in the oven immediately or let it set for a couple of hours?

as you can tell, I am starving and I need some brekkie.
 

rootaxs

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Definitely marinate it at least a couple of hours. It *Will* taste better.

I never did get the "American style" especially when cooking steaks wherein they just slap on a couple of steaks on the grill minutes after salt and pepper was put *on* it. Seems the only flavor that ever comes from it is from the steak sauce that comes after it.

IMHO, i prefer a well marinated steak in the first place.
 

Crimson

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rootaxs - If the only flavor that comes from your steaks is from the steak sauce, you aren't cooking them correctly! A good steak needs only a little seasoning if cooked correctly. I never marinate good pieces of meat... cheap steaks, OK, I'll give you those.
 

thereds

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rootaxs - what do you marinate your steak with?

I don't have a grill so all I do is fry it on a pan.

Crimson - what is a 'good' steak and how do you identify one? What seasoning do you use and how do you cook 'em?
 

rootaxs

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crimson, i'm not talking about the steaks that i cook. i'm talking about those that you usually get from restaurants. I have yet to go to a restaurant here in Houston that actually has good steaks.

thereds, i use different seasonings depending on my mood actually. i'm one of those cooks that don't rely on books but rather on taste... a trait i got from a family of good cooks i guess. I could give u a recipe right now but i can't give u proper measurements
 

AmazonRasta

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LOL... George Foreman's Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine? :p

Not going to cook them today now :(. Just realized that I forgot to take them out of the freezer this morning. Maybe I'll take them out tonight and marinate them over night.
 

mithrandir2001

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May 1, 2001
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To tell if chicken in done, use a meat thermometer. The "check to see if middle is done" method isn't completely reliable. The internal temperature must be 170 degrees to ward off salmonella bacteria. Some say 180, but that's just an extra margin in case your meat thermometer is less than accurate. When I put my thermometer into a pot of boiling water it reads just over 210, so I know it is accurate.

Use a meat thermometer for everything. Not only are you sure food is safe, but it helps you prevent overcooking as well.