The jury is in: 400°F (204°C) is the perfect temperature for cooking a whole chicken. You’ll get crispy skin and a fairly quick dinner without compromising tenderness. The proper cooking time depends on the size of your chicken. A 4-pound chicken should take about 1 to 1-1/2 hours to roast at 400°F (204°C). I highly recommend a meat thermometer, one that stays in the chicken while it cooks and lets you set an alarm for when it reaches the proper temperature.