Chicken is a popular poultry that makes a delicious ingredient in a wide variety of dishes. Depending on the cooking method you use, it can also be a tasty yet low fat alternative to beef and pork. This article describes How to Bake Chicken and will demonstrate the different issues involved in its preparation.

The process of cooking chicken isn't a difficult task, but you do need to take some extra safety precautions when working with it. This article will show you the best way to handle and prepare it before making your meal. A general recipe for baking is described below along with recommended cooking times. Finally, you will learn how to tell when various cuts of chicken are done.

Because of bacteria found on chicken, it is critical that you take certain precautions when dealing with it. Keep raw poultry separate from the rest of your food. Once a utensil has touched the uncooked meat, you should immediately place it in the sink for cleaning and not use it again until it is thoroughly cleaned. Likewise, don't place other food on a cutting board just used with raw chicken.

To prep poultry, you need to clean the skin completely with cold water. After that is done, pat it dry with a paper towel and place it in a bowl.

Most recipes that you come across will have their own suggestions of how to season the meat. However, there are some seasonings that always compliment it well. Try mixing salt, pepper, thyme, garlic and lemon as a common base flavoring. You'll also find several companies at the grocery store that sell pre-made seasonings formulated to work well with poultry such as Mrs. Dash.

• Cooking Method: Dry
• Bone-in Cooking Time: 50 - 60 minutes (check temperature)
• Boneless Cooking Time: 35 - 40 minutes (check temperature)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Season poultry.
3. Coat chicken in melted butter or oil.
4. Fill a large bowl a third of the way with breadcrumbs then cover each piece of chicken evenly. This will give a crunchier texture.
5. Place chicken evenly spaced on a baking pan then put in oven.
6. Turn pieces over half way through baking time.

According to the USDA, it's extremely important to make sure that chicken is done before serving it so that you are sure it is free of bacteria that can be harmful such as Salmonella.http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/chicken_food_safety_focus/index.asp For extra safety, use a good thermometer to check the internal temperature. When using a thermometer, make sure you are sticking it in muscle not fat or bone. If you don't have one, use a fork to pierce the thickest section of the meat. If the juices run clear (not pink or red), it's done.

• Temperatures:
• Chicken breasts: 165 degrees.
• Chicken thighs: 185 degrees.
• Whole chicken: Check the temperature of the thigh. It should be 185 degrees.