Should You Wash Chicken Before Cooking?

Still rinsing raw chicken in the sink? 😳🧽 You might think you’re cleaning it — but you’re actually turning your kitchen into a bacteria bomb. The one safe way to prep poultry — and the mistake that spreads germs everywhere — is explained in the full article below 👇

If you were taught to rinse raw chicken under the tap before cooking — you’re not alone. Many people do it thinking they’re removing bacteria, slime, or that weird raw smell. But the truth might shock you.

Washing raw chicken doesn’t kill bacteria — it spreads it. When you rinse poultry in your sink, the water can splash harmful bacteria like salmonella onto nearby surfaces: your countertops, dish rack, or even other foods. That means your “clean” chicken could turn your kitchen into a contamination zone. 🦠

The USDA and CDC have made it crystal clear: don’t wash raw poultry. Cooking chicken to the proper temperature (165°F or 75°C) is the only way to make it safe.

Still not convinced? Food safety experts have traced foodborne illness outbreaks back to the practice of washing meat. And those splashes? They can travel up to 50 centimeters from your sink.

So unless you want to deep-clean your kitchen every time you prep chicken, skip the rinse. Pat the meat dry with paper towels if needed — then throw those towels away. Your kitchen (and your stomach) will thank you.