Should You Wash Raw Chicken? What Food Safety Experts Say

Many people grew up rinsing chicken under the tap before cooking, believing it removes germs. Food safety experts now say the opposite: washing raw chicken can actually make things less safe.

Why Washing Chicken Is Not Recommended

Raw chicken can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. Rinsing it does not remove these germs. Instead, the running water can splash droplets onto the sink, counters, utensils, and nearby foods, spreading bacteria across your kitchen.

How Far Can Splashes Travel?

Studies have shown that water droplets from washing chicken can land on surfaces up to several feet away. These droplets are often invisible, which makes contamination easy to miss.

What Kills Bacteria on Chicken?

Only proper cooking destroys harmful bacteria. Cook chicken until the thickest part reaches 165°F, and use a food thermometer to be sure.

What About Slime or Odor?

If chicken feels slimy or smells strongly sour, it has likely spoiled, and rinsing will not fix it. Throw it away instead of trying to wash the problem off.

How to Prepare Chicken Safely Instead

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and discard them immediately. Dry meat browns better and is less likely to spread water droplets. If you must remove the packaging juices, do it carefully over a clean plate or in the trash.

Keep Your Kitchen Clean

Use a separate cutting board for raw chicken, and wash it, knives, and utensils with hot soapy water afterward. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after touching raw poultry. Clean counters and sinks with hot soapy water and a sanitizer.

Avoid Cross-Contamination

Store raw chicken on the lowest fridge shelf in a sealed container so juices cannot drip onto other foods. Never place cooked chicken on a plate that held raw chicken.

Final Thoughts

Skip the rinse and rely on proper cooking and clean habits. Patting chicken dry and handling it carefully keeps your food and your kitchen much safer.