AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/rinse-raw-chicken

Should you rinse raw chicken in the sink before cooking it?

Don't wash raw chicken: rinsing spreads germs around your kitchen, and only cooking kills them.

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  1. No, just cook it ✔
  2. Yes, under cold running water
  3. Yes, with vinegar or lemon juice

Why: Rinsing does not kill germs. It splashes them onto the sink, counter, and nearby food. Only cooking chicken all the way to 165°F kills them.

Huh, didn't know that: Only cooking chicken all the way to 165°F kills them.

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What do you call a chicken soaking in a hot tub? Soup.
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References

Answer: No, just cook it. Rinsing does not kill germs. It splashes them onto the sink, counter, and nearby food. Only cooking chicken all the way to 165°F kills them.

  1. FoodSafety.gov: 4 Steps to Food Safety www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety
    Don’t wash meat, poultry, eggs, or seafood to avoid spreading harmful germs around your kitchen.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. CDC: Chicken and Food Poisoning www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/chicken.html
    Raw chicken is ready to cook and doesn't need to be washed first.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  3. CDC: Chicken and Food Poisoning, cooking temperature www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/chicken.html
    Use a food thermometer to make sure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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