Chicken is the queen of our plates – cheap, quick to cook, and goes with everything. But wait! How many times have you actually ruined the taste or even risked your health because of dumb mistakes with store-bought chicken? Washing raw chicken under running water? That’s like inviting salmonella to a party in your kitchen! Bacteria spread everywhere, and the only real savior is proper cooking. And no, don’t put wet chicken straight into the pan or oven – that’s a recipe for boiling, not roasting, and forget about that crispy crust! Before cooking, gently pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season it at least 15 minutes ahead because chicken is bland and needs some love – salt, pepper, lemon, garlic powder, paprika – these are its best friends. And don’t forget, chicken must be fully cooked but not dried out. The ideal internal temperature is about 75°C (167°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, check that the meat isn’t see-through. One more thing – don’t leave chicken sitting out for hours, especially in summer, because bacteria love warmth and multiply fast. Same goes for leftovers. The fridge is your friend, don’t forget that! If you thought chicken was easy, think again – these mistakes are common but can be dangerous. So next time you cook chicken, remember these tips and save your meal and your health. Now, who here has ever washed chicken under water? Come on, admit it, no shame, but maybe it’s time to stop! Drop your comments and share your chicken cooking disasters – we’re all here to laugh and learn!
