Cooking chicken is a great way to enjoy a hearty and satisfying meal that is packed with protein. But if you are not careful, eating undercooked chicken can lead to serious health problems, such as salmonella poisoning.

To avoid any health risk, it is essential to know how to determine if the chicken is properly cooked. Here are two simple tricks to ensure that you cook chicken to perfection every time.

Trick 1: Check the Internal Temperature

One of the most reliable ways to know if the chicken is cooked is by checking its internal temperature. The recommended safe temperature for cooking chicken is 165°F or 74°C.

To check the temperature, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. Make sure that the thermometer does not touch the bone, as this can give an inaccurate reading.

If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can also check if the chicken is cooked by piercing it with a fork. The juices that come out should be clear, not pink or red.

Alternatively, you can cut into the chicken at its thickest part to see if there is any pinkness or if the juices are clear.

Trick 2: Look for Other Physical Indicators

If you do not have a thermometer or if you want to double-check if the chicken is cooked, look for other physical indicators that can help you determine if the chicken is properly cooked. These indicators include:.

The chicken skin should be browned and crispy, and the meat should be white and opaque.
The chicken should easily separate from the bone, and the bones should be slightly pink or white, but not red or bloody.
When the chicken is pierced with a fork in the thickest part, the juices that come out should run clear, not pink or red.
If the chicken is stuffed, the stuffing should also be hot and cooked to at least 165°F or 74°C.

If you are cooking a whole chicken, a great way to check if it is cooked is by wiggling its legs. They should feel loose, and the chicken should move easily.

If you want to be extra sure that the chicken is cooked, you can also cut between the leg and thigh joint to check if the meat is done. If the juices run clear and there is no pinkness, the chicken is cooked.

In Conclusion

Cooking chicken can be a breeze if you know the tricks to determine if it is properly cooked. Checking the internal temperature is the most reliable way to ensure that the chicken is safe to eat.

But if you do not have a thermometer, or if you want to double-check, there are other physical indicators that you can look for. With these two simple tricks, you can cook chicken to perfection every time and enjoy a delicious, satisfying meal.