The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsHelp an idiot: Do I have to wash boneless skinless chicken breast before I put it in the oven?
I don't usually cook chicken unless it's like chicken nuggets. Do I have to wash these things to get the germs off before I put it in the oven? Thank you from a food idiot.
Dead_Parrot
(14,478 posts)No wonder nobody comes round for dinner anymore...
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(149,701 posts)I do wash my hands after handling it, though!
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)Arkansas Granny
(31,529 posts)It's one of those things that can't really hurt and it just takes a minute.
LoveMyCali
(2,015 posts)I can't remember where I heard it, some cooking show I had on as background noise, said that washing chicken could splash the bacteria around your kitchen. Just cooking it thoroughly is enough to kill any germs.
Arkansas Granny
(31,529 posts)So, I went looking and, sure enough, the first entry that came up on my search says don't wash.
http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/dont-wash-your-chicken-before-you-cook-it-and-9-other-surprising-tips-2475547.html
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)I ended up not rinsing just to make it as simple as possible. Thanks again.
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)With a screen name like that, you must know what you're doing. I might give it a quick rinse.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)You may want to marinade them in something. And then make a little tin foil tent. Italian dressing even. Breasts can dry out.
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)I could let them sit in that for a little bit.
I'll see when I cut them out of the plastic.
I was just going to spray they heck out of them with olive oil spray and then salt and pepper.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)two things you need in any marinade is an acid and an oil. Acid is a vinegar or citrus juice. Add spices to your hearts content beyond that.
If you let those things steep in that italian dressing and then keep them in that and cook them in an aluminum foil tent with a little vent at about 375 for 45 you will be happy mouthed.
Duer 157099
(17,742 posts)The washing is to get the extra blood off (I think, at least that's why I do it). The germs may also get rinsed off, so it's a two-fer.
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)gracias.
blueamy66
(6,795 posts)You bet your butt we wash chicken before we cook it. As well as pork, steak and fish.
You'd be amazed what happens to meat/fish....from the origin to the grocery/meat store.
Denninmi
(6,581 posts)1/3 cup vinegar in a gallon of water, and about a teaspoon of salt. Let it soak for at least an hour. You'll be surprised at how disgusting the water looks after this time. This draws out a lot of the lymphatic fluid, residual blood, etc. Takes away and strong or off flavors.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)I have also heard that it can spread bacteria, but after all these years, I am still here and I am not sick all the time. If you worry about spreading bacteria, use a bowl instead of a stream of water from the tap. I just don't like to see all the water and blood in the package when I open it up.
Good luck, and bon appetit.
JitterbugPerfume
(18,183 posts)I repeat YES!
quakerboy
(13,921 posts)Even more flavor if left uncooked.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Cross contamination is the biggest problem when you're working with poultry. The biggest issue is to wash everything thoroughly that came into contact with the raw chicken. Spraying counter tops and cutting boards down with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water is not a bad idea.
libodem
(19,288 posts)To wash it off. I don't care what the experts say about splashing the germs around. Point is there ARE germs. I'm careful and most bacterial growth is on the surface so it does make a difference.
pitohui
(20,564 posts)presumably you are going to cook them to an internal temp of 160 degrees F or more and in that case the germs are killed anyhow...
grasswire
(50,130 posts)Do not wash.
Why?
When you wash chicken, splatters go everywhere. Salmonella splatters everywhere.
Food Network says don't wash. Pat dry with paper towel, throw it away.
Nikia
(11,411 posts)Most of the germs are on the skin, which has been removed for you, but I still wouldn't risk eating undercooked chicken even if you soaked it. If it is cooked well, all the germs will be killed whether the colony count was in the hundreds or hundreds of millions.
ohiosmith
(24,262 posts)your pant leg. Take it from one knows.