Give the birds space to breathe, turn the oven higher than you might expect, and perhaps invest in a meat thermometer
We struggle to find a chicken big enough to feed all the family, and we’re not keen on turkey. If I want to roast two birds in the same oven, does this affect the cooking time?
Mary, United Kingdom
If your oven is large enough to hold two chickens in a big roasting tray, you can absolutely roast them at the same time. But I wouldn’t recommend roasting them in different pans on different shelves, because there won’t be enough air to circulate.
To ensure complete control, however, invest in a meat thermometer, and buy birds of a similar size, so they cook in the same time. Put the birds side by side in the tray, then roast in a really hot oven – 240C (220C fan)/475F/gas 9 – for 20-30 minutes; if the chickens are touching, turn one of them the other way around halfway through.
Continue reading… Give the birds space to breathe, turn the oven higher than you might expect, and perhaps invest in a meat thermometerWe struggle to find a chicken big enough to feed all the family, and we’re not keen on turkey. If I want to roast two birds in the same oven, does this affect the cooking time?Mary, United KingdomIf your oven is large enough to hold two chickens in a big roasting tray, you can absolutely roast them at the same time. But I wouldn’t recommend roasting them in different pans on different shelves, because there won’t be enough air to circulate.To ensure complete control, however, invest in a meat thermometer, and buy birds of a similar size, so they cook in the same time. Put the birds side by side in the tray, then roast in a really hot oven – 240C (220C fan)/475F/gas 9 – for 20-30 minutes; if the chickens are touching, turn one of them the other way around halfway through. Continue reading… Food, Chefs, Chicken, Meat
