You finished cutting up a raw chicken and put it in the oven to cook. You should…
…ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is the safest temperature to kill foodborne pathogens like salmonella. To make sure the chicken is sufficiently cooked, use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breasts, wings, and thighs.
…not wash raw chicken before cooking it. Washing raw chicken before placing it in the oven may splash bacteria around the kitchen, increasing the risk of cross-contamination. The best way to ensure safe food handling is to not wash the chicken before cooking.
…take precautions to avoid cross-contamination. Raw chicken and its juices should not come into contact with other food, especially ready-to-eat food. To minimize the spread of bacteria, make sure that any utensils, cutting boards, plates, and kitchen surfaces that have come into contact with the raw chicken are thoroughly washed and sanitized before being used for any other food preparation.
Cooking chicken is simple but requires attention to detail to ensure that it’s cooked properly and handled safely. By following these steps, you can make sure that your cooked chicken is safe to eat.