Technically, you can cook raw chicken in a toaster oven. However, it's not recommended. The chicken can be overcooked, and it can also be quite dry. If you want to cook chicken in a toaster oven, we recommend using an oven-safe dish and cooking the chicken at a lower temperature.
Not only is cooking "real food" in the toaster oven totally possible, but you can even use your favorite recipes intended for a conventional oven.
The best temperature to bake chicken breasts at is 425 degrees F. Cooking them fast at a higher temperature seals in the juices and the key to caramelization.
Raw meat can be cooked in most toaster ovens if they are able to reach high enough temperatures. It is important to make sure that the meat is cooked to the correct internal temperature and that you follow proper food heating guidelines. Steak, for example, should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6. Line a baking tray with foil. Rub the chicken breasts with oil and season. Put on the tray and cook for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through.
For large boneless, skinless chicken breasts: cook them 20 to 30 minutes in a 375 degrees F oven. For large bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts: cook them 35 to 40 minutes in a 375 degrees F oven.
Because toaster ovens are smaller, it takes less time than ovens do to reach the desired temperature, and they use less energy to get there. A 2011 report from Energy Star noted a toaster oven uses between a third and a half less energy than a conventional oven.
The problem with toaster ovens is usually scorching vs the normal oven use, for items where they say not to use the toaster oven, so I'm guessing proximity to the heating element and the uneven temperature distribution is usually the bigger problem.
Pan-frying, sautéing, and stir-frying all produce quick, tasty results in as little as 10 minutes -- that's total, not per side. It depends, of course, on the thickness of the chicken. A thicker breast may take up to 6 minutes per side; a pounded-thin breast might take about 4 to 5 minutes per side.
Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook. The simplest way to do this is with a dry brine — unwrap the chicken breasts, salt them on both sides and let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour.
*165˚F IS THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN MUST REACH TO BE SAFE TO EAT.
Use foil, but carefully.
Cut it so that it doesn't touch anything in the toaster oven: walls, ceiling or floor of the cavity, heating elements. Do not cover the broiling rack or the crumb tray. No loose ends. Stick to heavy duty aluminum foil.
The main difference between air fryers vs. toaster ovens is convection. Air fryers circulate hot air to promote even heating, while toaster ovens use a static heating element (or two), similar to a conventional oven.
All toaster manufacturers recommend you do not put aluminum foil in their toasters. According to them, the only thing you should put in a toaster is bread, frozen waffles, or English muffins. This guide will help you to understand: The dangers of placing anything made of metal in a toaster.
A toaster oven can heat up more quickly than an oven and stand in for the larger appliance for smaller scale dishes when you don't want to turn the oven on. Or, it can supplement an oven by cooking or reheating an extra dish. In addition, it can toast items that are topped or buttered, which a toaster can't do.
Power Consumption: According to industry representatives, a toaster oven uses about 1/3-1/2 less energy than a conventional electric oven for cooking small meals. Typical power consumption of a toaster oven during use is 1,200 to 1,400 watts.
A toaster oven cooks faster, and with more control, than its full-size counterpart—and it's the perfect size for preparing micro-batches of freshly baked treats.
You probably shouldn't put glassware in toaster ovens
While some brands may say that their glass bakeware is safe to use in toaster ovens, Toaster Oven Love explains that generally speaking, most glass bowls and dishes will likely splinter, crack, or even explode when placed inside these countertop appliances.
Pyrex is oven-safe up to 425 degrees. However, direct contact with heating elements can cause the glass to shatter or break. Pyrex is not oven-safe when used under the broiler or in a toaster oven.
Baked chicken recipes (as pieces or a whole bird) are as easy as prep and bake. You never have to worry about covering chicken while baking, as it's OK to bake it uncovered. Once your chicken is in the oven, it's hands-free until you need to check the temperature.
Poke the meat to see if juices are red or clear
This method applies to chicken specifically. For properly cooked chicken, if you cut into it and the juices run clear, then the chicken is fully cooked. If the juices are red or have a pinkish color, your chicken may need to be cooked a bit longer.