Chicken Cooked Internal Temperature 74°C/165°F
Official safe cooked internal temperature: 74°C/165°F - usda.gov
Some people prefer lower temperature
shoot for closer to 150°F (65°C) and try to hold it there for a couple minutes. - ref
Chicken Temperature & Pasteurization Table claude-sonnet-4_5
Temperature Hold Time Notes 165°F (74°C) <10 seconds USDA recommended safe temperature - instant pasteurization 160°F (71°C) 14 seconds Near-instant pasteurization 155°F (68°C) 45 seconds Maintains juiciness while ensuring safety 150°F (66°C) 2.7 minutes Popular for sous vide cooking 145°F (63°C) 8.6 minutes Requires careful temperature control 140°F (60°C) 25.7 minutes Very juicy but requires extended hold 136°F (58°C) 64.5 minutes Lowest safe temperature with proper hold time By Cut Recommendations
Cut Recommended Temp Texture Breast 150-165°F (66-74°C) Lean meat - overcooks easily above 165°F Thighs/Legs 165-175°F (74-79°C) Higher fat content - benefits from higher temp Wings 165-180°F (74-82°C) Connective tissue breaks down at higher temps Ground Chicken 165°F (74°C) Must reach 165°F throughout Whole Bird 165°F (74°C) Check innermost thigh, wing, and breast Note: Hold times apply when maintaining constant internal temperature (e.g., sous vide). For conventional cooking, the USDA recommends reaching 165°F for instant safety. Pasteurization requires a 7.0 log₁₀ reduction in Salmonella bacteria.
Sources:
Link to original
- USDA FSIS Safe Temperature Chart
- FSIS Cooking Guideline - Appendix A
- ThermoWorks: Everything About Chicken Temperature
- Douglas Baldwin’s Sous Vide Guide