Microwaving chicken has become a common practice for those who want to cook a quick and easy meal. However, this might not be the safest option. Microwaving chicken can pose some health risks, especially if the chicken is not cooked properly.

In this article, we will explore the dangers of microwaving chicken and what precautions you should take.

1. Uneven Heat Distribution

One of the most common dangers of microwaving chicken is the uneven heat distribution that could lead to under-cooking or overcooking some parts of the chicken.

This is because microwaves heat food from the outside inwards, which means that thicker parts of the chicken, such as the thickest part of the breasts, might not get cooked at the same temperature as the thinner parts, like the wings and legs. This poses a risk of bacterial contamination and an increase in food poisoning cases.

2. Risk of Bacterial Growth

Microwaving chicken can also pose a risk of bacterial growth. When chicken is not cooked correctly, it can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause food poisoning.

This is especially true if your chicken is not properly stored or handled before microwaving. Raw chicken should be kept at a temperature below 4°C to prevent bacterial growth.

If you leave chicken at room temperature for too long before microwaving it, it creates the ideal environment for bacteria growth, which could affect your health adversely.

3. Microwaving can Cause Dry and Tough Chicken

Microwaving chicken can result in dry and tough chicken meat, which makes it less appetizing. The cooking method tends to dry out the chicken, which is unpleasant to eat and can make it difficult to swallow.

The dryness of the chicken also makes it more prone to bacterial contamination. By microwaving your chicken, you will be sacrificing texture and taste for convenience and speed.

4. Overheating can Lead to Cancer

Overheating food is never recommended, but it is especially dangerous when.it comes to microwaving chicken. Overheating can cause a dangerous chemical reaction that can cause carcinogenic substances to be released in the chicken.

This means that consuming overcooked chicken could increase the risk of developing cancer. Consuming overheated food can also cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.

5. Use of Harmful Plastic Containers

Many people use plastic containers to store and cook their food in the microwave, including chicken.

However, some of these plastic containers may contain harmful chemicals that can seep into the food when heated, especially when the containers are overused or damaged. Plastic containers made with BPA or polycarbonate plastics are particularly harmful, and the chemicals that result from heating them can harm the brain, liver, and kidneys and eventually lead to the development of cancer.

6. Risk of Fire

Another danger of microwaving chicken is the risk of fire. Microwaves emit strong waves that can cause overheating in some cases. If you microwave chicken for too long, it could ignite a fire.

For instance, if you are using a microwave to defrost frozen chicken, you could potentially cause a fire or damage the microwave if you ignore the cooking time.

7. Inferior Quality Meat

When you microwave chicken, you end up with inferior quality meat. The meat becomes dry and rubbery, and it loses its natural texture and flavor.

Most importantly, microwaved chicken doesn’t keep long, so you have to consume it within a day of cooking. Microwaving chicken also affects its nutritional content, meaning you will not be receiving the full benefits that natural, freshly cooked chicken can offer.

8. Poor Hygiene Standards

If one is not careful, microwaving chicken could lead to poor hygiene standards. The equipment used to cook and defrost the chicken must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent the spread of bacteria.

If the containers used to microwave chicken are contaminated, it can put the health of everyone who consumes it at risk. In case you use the same container for cooking and storing the chicken, it could lead to bacterial contamination, leading to food poisoning.

9. Microwaving Chicken Causes Nutritional Value to Decrease

Nutritionists suggest that microwaving chicken may decrease its nutritional value significantly. This is because microwaving chicken can destroy some of the essential vitamins and minerals that are usually found in chicken meat.

For instance, Vitamin B12 is easily destroyed by radiation from microwaves. Such nutritional deficiencies may lead to severe health issues in the long term.

10. Microwaving Chicken can Contaminate Other Foods

Another danger associated with microwaving chicken is the possibility of contaminating other foods in the microwave. When you microwave chicken, its juices can easily spread to other foods, especially if they are in the same container.

This is particularly true if you have raw chicken in the same container as other ingredients. This makes it necessary to clean the microwave thoroughly to prevent bacterial growth, contamination, and spoilage of other food items.

In conclusion, microwaved chicken may be a convenient and easy way to cook chicken, but this method of cooking comes with notable dangers as illustrated above.

Always ensure that you follow the correct precautions when cooking chicken in a microwave, including storing at the correct temperatures, using the right containers, and never over cooking.