Cooking Poultry

Maplewood Meats Poultry Cooking Tips

At Maplewood Meats, we pride ourselves on offering premium cuts of meat. To help you get the most out of your purchase, here are some expert tips on how to cook various cuts using a variety of techniques. Whether you're roasting, braising, grilling, or using the reverse sear method, we've got you covered!

Whole Chicken

Roasting (Crispy Skin & Juicy Interior)

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F
  2. Pat the chicken dry, then rub with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and any preferred herbs.
  3. Place on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Optionally, stuff the cavity with garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs.
  4. Roast for 1.5-2 hours (depending on weight), or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the thigh.
  5. Let rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Baking (Simple & Easy)

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F 
  2. Rub chicken with olive oil and season generously.
  3. Place in a baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and bake for 1.5-2 hours, until the thickest part reaches 165°F 
  4. Remove foil for the last 15 minutes to crisp the skin. Rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Grilling (Juicy with a Smoky Flavor)

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375°F) and set up for indirect grilling.
  2. Rub chicken with oil and season well.
  3. Place on the cooler side of the grill, cover, and cook for 1-1.5 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F 
  4. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Boneless Chicken Breast Halves

Baking (Juicy & Tender)

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F 
  2. Rub breasts with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and herbs or spices.
  3. Place in a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F 
  4. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing

Grilling (Perfectly Seared)

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high (about 400°F).
  2. Rub with oil, season, and place on the grill.
  3. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Bone-In Chicken Breasts

Baking (Flavorful & Tender)

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Rub with olive oil and season as desired.
  3. Place in a baking dish, bone side down, and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the thickest part reaches 165°F
  4. Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Grilling (Moist with Smoky Notes)

  1. Preheat grill to medium heat (about 350°F).
  2. Rub with oil, season, and grill for 7-10 minutes per side.
  3. Cook until the thickest part reaches 165°F
  4. Rest for a few minutes before serving.

Chicken Thighs

Baking (Juicy & Flavorful)

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F
  2. Rub thighs with oil and season with salt, pepper, and spices.
  3. Place in a baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 175°F for tender meat.
  4. Rest for 5 minutes before serving

Grilling (Crispy Skin & Juicy Inside)

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
  2. Rub with oil, season, and grill skin side down for 6-8 minutes per side.
  3. Cook until internal temperature reaches 175°F.
  4. Rest briefly before serving.

Chicken Legs

Baking (Crispy Skin)

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Coat with oil, season, and place in a baking dish.
  3. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 175°F.
  4. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Grilling (Great Char & Tender)

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Rub with oil, season, and grill for 10-12 minutes per side.
  3. Cook until internal temperature reaches 175°F.
  4. Rest briefly before serving.

Chicken Wings

Baking (Crispy with Flavor)

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Pat wings dry, toss with oil, salt, and spices.
  3. Arrange on a baking sheet with a wire rack and bake for 35-45 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Grilling (Smoky & Charred)

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Toss with oil, season, and grill for 5-6 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Serve immediately with a favorite dipping sauce.

Whole Fresh Turkey

Roasting (Traditional & Perfectly Golden)

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Pat turkey dry, rub with butter or oil, season generously with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, and place on a roasting rack.
  3. Roast uncovered for 13-15 minutes per pound, basting occasionally, until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F.
  4. If needed, tent with foil for the last hour to prevent over-browning.
  5. Let rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.

Enjoy these perfectly cooked poultry dishes with each method tailored for full flavor and juiciness!

!
!