Avoid food poisoning by following these simple tips for safely cooking chicken at home.
Chicken is astaplein many kitchens.
Chicken found in retail stores goes through ameticulous inspectionbefore hitting shelves in an effort to spot disease.
Wiktory/Getty Images
Stick to the tips and advice below and you’re golden.
Should You Wash Chicken?
No.Do not wash chicken(or any other raw meat for that matter).
According to theUSDA, water can distribute bacteria up to a whopping 3 feet around the sink.
Rest assured, the heat from cooking will kill any harmful bacteria.
That way, you avoid the risk of contaminating the sink and anything else in its vicinity.
Bonus: Patting the meat dry in the container saves you from having to clean a cutting board.
It also helps any seasoning stick to the meat while helping the chicken brown better.
Just remember the magic number: 165 F!
