By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Accept
newbadlife.xyznewbadlife.xyz
  • Home
  • Beauty
    BeautyShow More
    How to clean hairbrushes in three easy steps
    21/03/2023
    11 of the best shaving hacks for women
    17/03/2023
    How to get perfect eyebrows at home
    16/03/2023
    How to wash your face properly, according to the experts
    16/03/2023
    Hair trend: Going grey gracefully
    15/03/2023
  • Food
    FoodShow More
    How to steam a pudding
    21/03/2023
    How to cook rice
    18/03/2023
    How to make a tsunami cake
    15/03/2023
    How to use up leftover Halloween pumpkin
    15/03/2023
    How to make classic S’mores
    13/03/2023
  • Health
    HealthShow More
    How to reduce your cholesterol
    20/03/2023
    Laughter yoga: Everything you need to know
    20/03/2023
    Walking for weight loss – is 30 minutes a day enough?
    20/03/2023
    What is the 1,000 calorie meal diet?
    17/03/2023
    Piled on the pounds? Get back on track and drop a dress size in seven days
    17/03/2023
  • Money
    MoneyShow More
    How to save money on petrol and diesel – 18 ways to reduce your fuel costs
    21/03/2023
    How to improve your credit score fast – 17 tips from our finance expert
    21/03/2023
    What are payday loans? 7 expert reasons to avoid them
    20/03/2023
    Save money: home repairs you can do yourself
    19/03/2023
    Cheap takeaways: 9 ways to save money on takeaway food
    18/03/2023
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    Samsung S21 FE 5G smartphone review – the greatest hits in one device
    20/03/2023
    Sonos Ray review – a tiny and affordable soundbar that produces a big sound
    19/03/2023
    Apple iPhone SE 2022 review – a favourite design with an all-new engine
    19/03/2023
    Fujifilm GFX 50s Mk II review – great stills camera to graduate to higher standards
    19/03/2023
    Sennheiser Sport True Wireless earphones review – great audio and built for exercise
    18/03/2023
  • Lifestyle
  • Contact
  • English
    • Polski
    • Deutsch
    • Français
    • Русский
    • Português
    • Español
Reading: How to check if a chicken is cooked
Share
Aa
newbadlife.xyznewbadlife.xyz
Aa
  • Home
  • Beauty
  • Food
  • Health
  • Money
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • Contact
  • English
Search
  • Home
  • Beauty
  • Food
  • Health
  • Money
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • Contact
  • English
    • Polski
    • Deutsch
    • Français
    • Русский
    • Português
    • Español
newbadlife.xyz > Food > How to check if a chicken is cooked
Food

How to check if a chicken is cooked

Mark Thompson
Mark Thompson 10/03/2023
Share
9 Min Read
SHARE

Learn how to check if a chicken is cooked with our easy guide. Following these steps will allow you to serve it with confidence.

Contents
How to tell if a chicken is badHow to check if a whole chicken is cooked without a thermometerIngredients:How to check if a whole chicken is cooked: Step 1How to check if a whole chicken is cooked: Step 2How to check if a whole chicken is cooked: Step 3What temperature should a chicken be when cooked?How to check if a chicken breast is cookedHow to check if a chicken thigh is cookedHow to check if chicken drumsticks are doneHow to store cooked chicken

Learning how to check if a chicken is cooked is an essential cookery skill and it’s very easy once you know what to look for.

Roast chicken is one of the most popular meats in the UK for a traditional Sunday roast. In a 2018 YouGov survey of 1640 adults, 27 percent of the survey picked chicken as the preferred meat with beef just beating it to the top spot with 33 percent.

According to the British Poultry Council, on average, people in the UK eat around 35kg of poultry meat per year.

Eating raw or undercooked chicken can lead to illness with unpleasant symptoms including vomiting, fever, and diarrhoea, which is why many people worry when cooking it.

However, once you know how to check if a chicken is cooked you’ll never have to worry. For complete peace of mind when cooking chicken, we recommend investing in a meat thermometer. Read our guide on how to use a meat thermometer for tips and recommendations on which thermometers to buy.

There are some visual signs you can look for too, which we will cover in this feature.

fnH4bPsz5Xd8ngfVwur44A-1280-80

How to tell if a chicken is bad

We always recommend buying the best chicken you can afford with the highest welfare standards possible.

Buying chicken that has been reared ethically and slowly will have more flavour and a better texture than mass-produced meat.

Organic meat is always free-range. In the case of chickens, according to the Soil Association, this means that flock sizes are smaller on organic farms with 2,000 as the maximum or 3,000 under EU organic standards. In the UK there is no maximum flock size for a free-range chicken

Having a smaller flock of hens means that it’s easier to look after the hens at an individual level and they can make better use of the outdoor space and roam more freely.

If you can’t afford organic chicken, look for chicken with Red Tractor certification. This means the farms adhere to strict animal welfare, safety, hygiene, and traceability rules.

You should always use chicken by the Use By date listed on the packaging. You can freeze raw chicken purchased on the Use By date, defrost thoroughly before cooking and use within two months.

When you open a packet of raw chicken there should be no foul, strong smells. If it smells bad, chances are your chicken is bad and should not be consumed.

How to check if a whole chicken is cooked without a thermometer

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole roast chicken

How to check if a whole chicken is cooked: Step 1

2dXsSTRW7STLQ3RfFAQKdh-1280-80

When the timer goes off on your oven to indicate that your chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven.

How to check if a whole chicken is cooked: Step 2

ms6qsmvXfpMrm2W3cJ72HA-1280-80

Using a sharp knife, pull the leg away from the body. Pierce the skin and meat to release juices.

How to check if a whole chicken is cooked: Step 3

N55iQHHbKvqshZK3Q8YNr3-1280-80

The meat should not be red or pink and the juices should run clear when gently pressed. If the meat is pink or the juices do not run clear, return the chicken to the oven and cook for five-minute intervals until the meat is cooked.

For full peace of mind, and to avoid having to dissect the whole chicken before serving, you can use a meat thermometer to probe the thickest part of the chicken.

What temperature should a chicken be when cooked?

mbLRrRx98E4Xb2r99FkJ8W-1280-80

When you probe the thickest part of the chicken the thermometer should have a reading of 75C. If the reading is below this, continue cooking for a little longer and then check it again. Make sure you clean the probe between readings.

If the chicken is only a couple of degrees under, you can remove it from the oven to rest as it will continue to cook while it sits.

How to check if a chicken breast is cooked

ug46caZ67jhsBJNt6yExrT-1280-80

If you’re worried the breasts on your whole chicken are not cooked, the only way to check without using a thermometer is to cut them and see. The juices should run clear and the meat should not be pink.

For inspiration on how to cook chicken breasts, read our expert guide. It’s got lots of chicken breast recipes and expert tips on cooking them to perfection.

How to check if a chicken thigh is cooked

fWkndGrkDev722mkX2sh6X-1280-80

Chicken that still has the bone attached will take longer to cook but it’s often more succulent and is far cheaper than the breast.

To check if a chicken thigh is cooked we recommend piercing the thickest part of the meat and checking to see the juices run clear with no hints of pink or red. Using a meat thermometer will prevent you from having to cut the meat open.

When using the thermometer, make sure the probe doesn’t touch the bone as this will distort the reading.

If you’re not sure how to cook chicken thighs, read our pick of the best chicken thigh recipes.

How to check if chicken drumsticks are done

TXDhc7Liyr9xhztTfREEXH-1280-80

The chicken drumstick is the lower part of a chicken leg. They have less meat than the thigh and will therefore cook a little quicker. The shape of the chicken drumstick also makes them perfect for parties and picnics as they are easy to hold.

Chicken drumsticks are an affordable cut of meat but are often only available with the skin on, unlike thighs that can easily be purchased with the skin removed.

You can use the same technique as breasts and thighs to check if the chicken drumstick is cooked. Once again if you’re using a thermometer you should be careful not to put the probe on the bone.

We’ve got plenty of chicken drumstick recipes for you to explore including a simple take on a roast dinner and chicken drumsticks with a spicy marinade.

How to store cooked chicken

Cooking a whole chicken is a very affordable way to make several meals from one meat purchase. We’ve got plenty of leftover chicken recipes for you to explore but some key favourites include shredding the meat for sandwiches or stirring it into a soup.

You should cool the leftover chicken meat as quickly as possible after cooking if you don’t intend to eat it straight away. Ideally, it should be cooled within an hour and then stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Consume the leftover chicken within two days and if re-heating it’s vital the meat is piping hot before eating. You should never reheat the chicken more than once.

If you’d like to freeze the cooked chicken, ensure it is completely cooled before packaging and freezing. Defrost thoroughly before cooking and use within two months.

Mark Thompson 10/03/2023
Share this Article
Facebook TwitterEmail Print
Share
Previous Article Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio review – a powerful and flexible solution for creators
Next Article Samsung Freestyle review – portable quality that redefines projectors
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hot

Mac Studio and Studio Display review – stunningly powerful for the high end user
23/02/2023
How to use up leftover Halloween pumpkin
15/03/2023
Sonos Ray review – a tiny and affordable soundbar that produces a big sound
19/03/2023
12 ways to save money on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus TV streaming services
24/02/2023
Should you eat before or after a workout? What the experts say
27/02/2023

You Might also Like

How to steam a pudding

21/03/2023

How to cook rice

18/03/2023

How to make a tsunami cake

15/03/2023
FoodFoodFoodFoodFood

How to use up leftover Halloween pumpkin

15/03/2023

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?