How to wash chicken? There are some common misconceptions about washing chicken. Most food safety experts advise against washing chicken before cooking. Still, it is common to see chicken washed before cooking. Food safety expert Darin Detwiler says it is unnecessary to wash chicken before cooking. He says it may be an unnecessary step but still helps the chicken retain its freshness. Read on to find out why chicken washing should be avoided.
Another common misconception about chicken is the safety of raw chicken. It’s essential to wash chicken properly because waste can quickly taint your kitchen. This is unnecessary, but it can also spread bacteria around the sink and cause contamination. And of course, you still have to cook the chicken! It’s also vital to wash your hands properly before touching the meat, and soap is necessary. Washing your chicken thoroughly is also essential for your health and safety.
How to Wash Chicken?
Chicken is a must-have in the diet of many individuals. While crispy or grilled chicken is delicious, cleaning it can be not easy. You’ll be shocked at how simple it is to clean! You prevent bacteria transmission, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly, wear gloves, and keep the water running like a string.
- If the chicken is frozen, make sure it’s completely thawed or leave it until wholly thawed before cleaning.
- Remove any excess skin. And when cleaning a whole chicken, make sure there are no giblets or kidneys left inside or remove them. Keep aside and wash them if they’re to be used.
- Rinse the chicken inside out with white vinegar.
- Rub with lemon wedges and sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper.
- Rinse with white vinegar.
How to Handle Raw Chicken Safely?
From the time you pick up the chicken in the store until you eat it, there is always the possibility of contamination. There are a few simple steps to keep the chicken safe to eat.
- When Shopping: Once you purchase the chicken, bag it in a disposable bag to prevent the raw juices from getting onto other foods, especially raw foods like fruits and vegetables.
- When Storing: Place the chicken in the disposable bag on the bottom of the refrigerator to prevent juices from dripping onto ready-to-eat foods.
- When Handling: Before handling raw chicken, always wash your hands in soapy water for at least 20 seconds. The raw chicken should not be washed. Instead, remove the chicken from the package and place it directly in the pan to cook. As long as you reach the proper internal cooking temperature, the heat from cooking will kill any bacteria present. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit using a thermometer.
- When Prepping: Use a separate cutting board and knife for raw chicken if you need to prepare it, such as removing the skin or breading. Cooked food or fresh produce should never be placed on a plate or cutting board that has had direct contact with raw chicken. Always start by washing the plate or cutting board in hot, soapy water.
- When Storing Leftovers: If you have leftover chicken, it should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should you Wash Chicken Before Cooking?
Should you wash your chicken before cooking it? It’s the most divisive issue in poultry. Professionals in food safety and hygiene advise against this practise because it can spread bacteria and cause cross-contamination. To avoid food poisoning, handle your raw chicken with care during preparation. But first, double-check that your chicken hasn’t gone bad.
Most people who clean their chickens believe they are removing germs or slime. While they are correct in assuming that raw chicken is often teeming with bacteria like campylobacter or salmonella, washing it with water will do nothing to help. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing your chicken exacerbates the problem because the running and splashing water can spread bacteria around sinks, countertops, and even your clothing. According to the USDA, the only sure way to kill bacteria is to cook the chicken to the proper temperature, and these guidelines apply to all types of meat and fish. The minimum temperature for cooked chicken should be 165 degrees, and a meat or instant-read thermometer like this one is an excellent way to determine that temperature. Another tip is to use this method to determine when the chicken is done cooking.
Even professional chefs are split on the subject. Julia Child advocated for washing chicken, while Ina Garten recently stated on her show that it is unnecessary to do so with chicken or other meats. Garten’s argument is backed up by science, and despite the potential dangers of washing chicken, there’s no reason to do it other than to maintain long-established habits. Some foods you should never wash before cooking aren’t as well-known for causing food poisoning as chicken, but you should still be cautious.
If you’ve Washed Chicken, Sanitize your Kitchen Surfaces.
If you’ve ever washed raw poultry in the sink or are concerned that you still have harmful bacteria in your sink, a two-step process can kill the germs on your kitchen surfaces. Wash any areas that have been contaminated with warm, soapy water first. After removing dirt, crumbs, and grime, you can proceed to the next step: sanitizing. “Including a sanitizing step in your cleaning routine reduces the number of pathogens that cause foodborne illness that survive in your kitchen — sanitizing kills bacteria.” According to the USDA, sanitizing is most effective after those surfaces have been cleaned. “So, don’t forget to clean! “You can purchase sanitizing wipes or cleaning solutions or make your own by combining one tablespoon of bleach with one gallon of water. Purcell Foodservice Surface Sanitizer Spray, which is fragrance-free, is an excellent alternative to bleach or harsh cleaning smells.
Should chicken be washed before cooking? No, that is not the case. At the very least, that’s one less thing to think about when preparing food!
Conclusion
Remember to use a separate cutting board when washing chicken. Then, using hot water, thoroughly clean the board. Before using it to cut or prep chicken, thoroughly rinse and dry it. After washing the chicken, use hot water and soap to sanitize the cutting board. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers after cutting the meat. But keep in mind that there’s no substitute for hand washing. You must ensure that the chicken is thoroughly cooked before serving it and washing it. When cooking chicken, the USDA recommends 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will kill bacteria, lowering the risk of foodborne illness. Always use separate utensils when handling raw chicken. The best way to cook chicken is to leave it alone until it is done. It’s impossible to risk contaminating other foods.
