What is the ideal internal temperature for chicken?

The ideal internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C). This temperature ensures that harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can be present in chicken, are effectively killed, making the chicken safe to eat. Cooking chicken to this temperature not only ensures food safety but also helps maintain the juiciness and overall quality of the meat.

Cooking chicken to an internal temperature higher than this, such as 180°F (82°C), may result in drier meat, while lower temperatures like 145°F (63°C) and 160°F (71°C) do not provide adequate safety assurances against foodborne pathogens. Therefore, 165°F is the universally recommended internal temperature for fully cooked chicken.