Most oven cooked chicken is cooked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, although for a capon it is suggested that you cook at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking times will, of course, also vary by weight as well.
Let’s start with a standard chicken. For a 2 1/2 to 3 pound stuffed chicken cooking times will vary between 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. The same chicken unstuffed will take between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 hours. A 4 to 6 pound stuffed chicken will take between 2 and 2 1/4 hours to cook while the unstuffed version will take slightly less time – 1 3/4 to 2 hours.
A Capon is normally cooked at 325 degrees Fahrenheit and a 5 to 6 pound bird (stuffed) will take about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The same weight unstuffed will take 1 3/4 to 2 hours. If you have a larger 6 to 8 pound capon you should expect a stuffed bird to cook for 3 to 4 hours while an unstuffed bird would be more like 2 1/4 to 3 1/2 hours.
Cornish Game Hens are much smaller and their cook times vary quite a bit. A 1 to 2 pound stuffed hen will take 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours while an unstuffed hen will take about 1 hour to 1 1/4 hours.
As with any cooking adventure, times are mere guidelines and not an exact science. The fact is that your oven maybe be slightly hot or slightly cold and you may have to adjust the times a bit as necessary. As you get used to your own oven, you will begin to get a feel for the adjustments you may or may not have to make in cooking times.
