Tag: Chicken temperature

According to the USDA, all poultry, including chicken, must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be considered safe for consumption. The misconception about 160 degrees likely stems from the fact that this is the recommended safe temperature for ground meats like beef and pork. This article clarifies why the extra five degrees is so crucial for food safety.

According to food safety experts, pathogens in poultry are killed not just by reaching a high temperature, but by the combination of temperature and time. This means the question of 'can chicken be at 155?' has a more nuanced answer than the standard recommendation of 165°F.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about one million people in the United States get sick from eating contaminated poultry each year. With such a high risk, knowing the proper cooking temperature is non-negotiable. If you've ever pulled your chicken from the oven only to find it at 160°F, you're not alone in asking, 'is it okay if my chicken is 160?'