Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:29:42 +0000

Chicken Heated Wrong? Even a Few Degrees Put Your Health at Risk When it comes to cooked chicken, proper handling and storage are crucial to keeping your meals safe and healthy. But what happens when chicken is heated incorrectly or left at the wrong temperature? Even a few degrees of deviation can pose serious health risks, from foodborne illness to long-term complications. ### Why Proper Cooking Temperature Matters Food safety experts emphasize that cooking chicken to the correct internal temperature—165°F (74°C)—is essential to kill harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, which commonly contaminate poultry. However, many people overlook how temperature affects safety beyond just undercooking.