This is one of the best tips for cooking meat or poultry. Always let it rest. The length of time will depend on the size of the meat and the cooking time. Once the chicken is cooked, move it to a clean plate and set it aside to rest for 5 minutes. This will enable the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken. If you cut into the chicken thighs without resting, the juices will spill out and the meat may become dry.