How to Properly Wash Chicken Before Cooking

Washing chicken before cooking is a common practice for many home cooks. However, it has become a controversial topic among food safety experts While some swear by rinsing or soaking poultry to remove bacteria, studies show this can actually do more harm than good. This article will examine the pros and cons of washing chicken and outline the safest preparation methods based on up-to-date food safety recommendations.

A Brief History of Washing Chicken

The tradition of washing raw chicken goes back several decades. Looking through vintage cookbooks, you’ll find recipes dating to the 1960s that call for rinsing or soaking poultry. The general wisdom was that this process helped rid the meat of bacteria and pathogens, making it safer to eat. Generations of home cooks were taught to clean chicken in this way before cooking.

New scientific research has led to changes in food safety standards over the past few years. In older recipes, it was common to say to wash raw chicken, but most health groups today say that’s not a good idea.

Potential Risks of Washing Chicken

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that running water over raw chicken can actually make you more likely to get food poisoning.

• Foods that are raw chicken might have harmful bacteria on them, like salmonella and campylobacter. These germs live on the outside of the meat.

• When you wash chicken, the water that splashes around can make the sink, counters, and other surfaces dirty. This leads to cross-contamination.

• Cooking is the only way to kill bacteria and make chicken safe to eat. Washing does not eliminate pathogens the way heat does.

• Chlorine and other sanitizers are not approved or recommended for washing meat and poultry. They do not have a measurable benefit in making food safer.

While it seems counterintuitive, experts agree that rinsing chicken can do more harm than good in the long run. The safest option is to skip this step altogether.

Stop Washing Chicken: Safer Preparation Tips

If you can’t rinse your chicken, how should you prepare it for cooking? Here are some key food safety tips to remember:

• Keep It Separated: Store raw chicken on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator so juices cannot drip onto other foods. Keep it contained in sealed packaging until you are ready to cook.

• Use Different Tools: Avoid cross-contamination by using a designated cutting board and utensils just for raw chicken. Never use these items for cooked food or fresh produce without washing first.

• Clean Up Vigilantly: After handling chicken, immediately wash any surfaces or materials that came into contact with it using hot, soapy water. This includes your hands, sinks, counters, knives, and cutting boards.

• Cook Thoroughly: Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to kill potential bacteria. Use a food thermometer to verify doneness.

• Refrigerate Promptly: Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours (or one hour if the temperature is over 90°F). This prevents bacteria growth.

Alternatives to Washing Chicken

While rinsing chicken has drawbacks, you still need to remove the slimy texture that poultry can have right out of the package. Here are some safe options:

• Blot It Dry: Pat chicken pieces with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture and fluids. This removes the slippery surface.

• Season the Skin: Rubbing chicken with spices, herbs, or zest can also eliminate slick spots before cooking.

• Remove Skin Entirely: For boneless, skinless cuts like breasts and tenders, simply peel off the skin after patting dry with towels if desired.

The Verdict: Don’t Wash Your Chicken!

Based on the risks outlined above, food safety experts overwhelmingly recommend against rinsing or soaking poultry. While this goes against many older practices, we now know that washing chicken does not make it any cleaner or more safe to consume. In fact, it has the opposite effect by spreading bacteria around your kitchen. For optimal safety, use the dry patting and separate tool methods instead of washing. With proper handling, chicken can be enjoyed without needing a rinse!