Experts Say You Should Avoid This Dangerous Step When Preparing Raw Chicken

It might do more harm than good.

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Should you wash raw chicken? This is a question that has been asked for some time. However, there is a clear answer, and it is important to know it.

Not only is chicken on our list of riskiest foods, but preparing chicken around other ingredients carries the risk of contaminating them. It goes without saying that chicken needs to be prepared with a little care. Most people are aware of this. But there are some myths that persist in the kitchen, and washing chicken is a big one.

As with many cooking techniques, many people who still wash chicken have seen their grandmother or father do it. Or they have seen, in the first step of their dinner recipe, an instruction to wash their chicken. My family has always washed chicken. But this step may do more harm than good.

What the experts say

Experts all agree: you shouldn’t wash your chicken.

“Food safety can never be 100% guaranteed, and the mass production and wide distribution of these foods makes undercooking any food (even vegetables) somewhat risky,” Mark Bittman explains in How To Cook Everything. “But chicken is a special case, with more than 10% of many poultry samples containing salmonella. Salmonella is completely eliminated by thoroughly cooking chicken.”

There’s no need to wash chicken, as anything dangerous in raw chicken will be cooked off by the time the bird reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (73 degrees C). And given what we know about the spread of bacteria, it’s best to keep your chicken away from your sink.

“Raw chicken is ready to cook. It does not need to be washed first,” says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Salmonella is responsible for more foodborne illnesses than any other bacteria. Chicken is a major source of these illnesses. In fact, about 1 in 25 packages of chicken in supermarkets is contaminated with salmonella.”

Why You Shouldn’t Wash Raw Chicken

1. In other words, it promotes the spread of bacteria. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Even when consumers think they are cleaning up after washing poultry effectively, this study shows that bacteria can easily spread to other surfaces and foods. The best practice is not to wash poultry.”

2. Other ingredients you cook with can be contaminated. We all know it’s important to wash our hands, especially after handling raw chicken. But it’s a common way bacteria spreads. Washed chicken can splash onto your arms or apron, and bacteria can stay on your hands and spread to other foods, even if we wash our hands well.

What is the best way to prepare raw chicken cleanly?

There are a few different ways to do this depending on your recipe, but generally speaking, when you pick up your chicken from the grocery store, here’s what to do:

1. “Greatly reduce your risk by preparing foods that will not be cooked, such as vegetables and salads, BEFORE handling and preparing raw meat and poultry,” says USDA Food Safety Training Staff.

2. Remove your chicken from its packaging and carefully dispose of it in the trash. Place your chicken on a clean cutting board and pat dry with paper towels. I recommend using a cutting board specifically designed for meat, that way you won’t be cutting vegetables on the same surface as the raw chicken.

3. Next, prepare your chicken as directed in the recipe, with a marinade or seasonings. If you are storing the chicken to marinate overnight, store it in a zip-top bag or airtight container, away from ready-to-eat foods.

Related: How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge?

Are there any exceptions?

Like any rule, there are a few.

“It’s worth noting that in some cultures, the practice of washing meat is a ritual that’s passed down through generations,” says Annie Campbell, associate editor. “Washing meat can also be part of the overall preparation of a recipe in some cuisines. These methods typically involve soaking in salt or vinegar that contributes flavor, and the wash acts more like a marinade than just a quick rinse.”

For most people who buy their chicken pre-packaged at the grocery store, that meat may not be washed.

More Chicken Inspiration

Chicken can be a tricky meat to cook properly. Ask any chef and they’ll tell you how difficult it can be to cook chicken properly. However, we have plenty of tips and best practices to help you out:

Read the original article on All Recipes.