It is safe to eat rare or medium-rare proteins like lamb, beef, and pork since if you want to avoid getting sick, make sure you cook chicken thoroughly until it’s done. When is chicken fully cooked? By checking the temperature inside.
How Should Chickens Be Cooked?
When the temperature of the chicken reaches 165oF (75oC), it is done cooking. Although 165 degrees Fahrenheit is the safe internal temperature for both white and dark meat-including chicken breasts, wings, and thighs-regardless of the method of cooking, meat temperature chart celsius, or cut of meat.
Why is it Important to Cook Chicken to the Proper Internal Temperature?
Undercooked chicken can cause salmonella infection if it is not cooked to 165oF. Cooking chicken to 165oF isn’t just a suggestion; it’s also a matter of food safety. The chicken should reach the correct internal temperature before cooking to avoid foodborne illness.
The Perfect Chicken Cooking Time Chart
It needs to be cooked for the desired time to cook a chicken thoroughly. Depending on the temperature of the meat and its thickness, the cooking time will vary. Generally, lower temperatures require longer cooking times.
How to Cook Perfect Chicken: Cooking Times Chart
It needs to be cooked for the desired amount of time to cook a chicken through. The cooking time varies on how hot the meat was when it went in and how thick it was. If the temperature is lower, the cooking time will be longer.
Temperature and cooking time are directly correlated. You will need to cook chicken for a more extended period at a lower temperature. You should cook your chicken at 165oF no matter how long you cook it or what temperature you cook it at; otherwise, it will be undercooked.
Here are the approximate cooking times for different cuts of chicken according to the USDA:
-Breast halves, boneless
Weight: 4oz
Roasting time (at 350ºF): 30-30 min
Simmering Time: 25-30 min
Grilling Time: 6-8 min/side
-Breast halves, with bone
Weight: 6-8oz
Roasting time (at 350ºF): 50-60 min
Simmering Time: 35-40 min
Grilling Time: 45-55 min/side
-Legs or thighs
Weight: 4-8oz
Roasting time (at 350ºF): 40-50 min
Simmering Time: 40-50 min
Grilling Time: 10-15 min/side
-Wings
Weight: 2-3oz
Roasting time (at 350ºF): 30-40 min
Simmering Time: 35-45 min
Grilling Time: 8-12 min/side
-Drumsticks
Weight: 4oz
Roasting time (at 350ºF): 35-45 min
Simmering Time: 40-50 min
Grilling Time: 8-12 min/side
The cooking temperatures and times in recipes are just guidelines. You’ll be better able to adjust your approach to get the desired results as you gain more experience and skill in the kitchen.
Cooking Chicken at the Right Temperature: 5 Ways
Cooking time and temperature alone are insufficient to achieve the perfect internal temperature. You can cook chicken properly in several ways, including:
- Meat should be tempered—Cook meat at room temperature throughout. The bird must sit out for about 20 minutes for individual cuts and up to an hour for a whole bird. It takes less time to reach the proper internal temperature if the meat is at room temperature rather than at fridge temperature when you’re ready to cook.
- Pre-heat your oven before you begin. Cooking time may vary and be harder to track if the bird is placed in the oven before it’s fully cooked. Unevenly cooking may also lead to undercooked and dry areas in your chicken.
- Check your oven’s calibration. Place an oven thermometer and turn it on if the reading on your thermometer and the dial are the same. It might be necessary to service your oven or adjust your cooking times if it isn’t.
- Meat thermometers should be used.
- You can tell right away whether your chicken has reached 165oF using an instant-read thermometer.
