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For generations, many home cooks believed rinsing raw chicken under water was just good kitchen hygiene. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that old habit could be doing far more harm than good. While it might feel like you’re cleaning off bacteria, what you’re really doing is spreading dangerous germs all over your sink, counters, and kitchen tools. The CDC has issued multiple warnings urging people to stop rinsing poultry entirely. Here are 10 serious reasons why you should never wash your chicken again, no matter how clean you think it makes it.
1. It Spreads Bacteria All Over Your Kitchen
When you rinse raw chicken, the water doesn’t just hit the bird—it splashes bacteria onto nearby surfaces. That includes countertops, cutting boards, dish towels, and even your clothing. The CDC warns that droplets can travel up to three feet, carrying harmful germs like Salmonella and Campylobacter. You might think you’re cleaning, but you’re actually increasing the risk of foodborne illness. All it takes is one splash to contaminate your cooking space.
2. Cooking Kills Bacteria—Water Does Not
The only way to kill harmful bacteria on chicken is to cook it to a safe internal temperature—165°F, according to the USDA. Washing it won’t remove bacteria, no matter how long or hard you rinse. In fact, water just moves those germs around rather than eliminating them. Trust your meat thermometer—not your faucet—to ensure safety. So when in doubt, remember: heat beats water every time.
3. You’re Putting Your Family at Risk for Foodborne Illness
Foodborne illnesses can cause days or even weeks of misery—nausea, vomiting, fever, and worse. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable. Cross-contamination from rinsing chicken increases the risk of spreading these bacteria throughout your kitchen. If someone in your home ends up sick, it might be from that rinse you thought was harmless. Never wash your chicken—it’s not worth the gamble.
4. Dish Towels and Sponges Can Become Germ Magnets
After rinsing the chicken, it’s common to wipe the area with a dishcloth or sponge. But those items often don’t get disinfected properly afterward, allowing bacteria to live and multiply. Even if you don’t use the towel again for food, you might touch it later and unknowingly transfer germs. According to the CDC, kitchen cloths are among the dirtiest items in the home. Avoiding raw chicken splatter entirely is your safest bet.
5. You Could Accidentally Contaminate Other Foods
It’s easy to forget where your hands or utensils have been when you’re multitasking in the kitchen. If you touch vegetables or other ready-to-eat items after rinsing chicken, you could transfer harmful germs. That’s why never washing your chicken is more than a suggestion—it’s a way to prevent illness from spreading silently. Even washing fruits and veggies near where you rinsed chicken can be dangerous. The less raw chicken exposure, the better.
6. Professional Chefs Don’t Wash Chicken Either
While home cooks may still cling to the practice, most professional chefs follow strict food safety guidelines. That means no rinsing, no exceptions. Food handlers in restaurants rely on proper cooking temperatures, not pre-rinsing, to ensure food is safe. Following the lead of the pros can help you adopt better habits in your own kitchen. If chefs aren’t rinsing chicken, neither should you.
7. The Smell or Slime Isn’t Solved by Water
Some people rinse chicken because they think it smells “off” or feels slimy. But water won’t remove the natural surface texture of raw poultry. What helps more is patting it dry with paper towels—if needed—or simply moving on to seasoning and cooking. If your chicken smells truly bad, it may be spoiled and unsafe to eat anyway. Rinsing doesn’t restore freshness—it just spreads danger.
8. Cleaning Up After Rinsing Is Time-Consuming and Incomplete
Once you rinse raw chicken, you’ve created a long to-do list: sanitize the sink, disinfect every touched surface, wash your hands thoroughly—maybe more than once. And still, you might miss a spot. Not rinsing the chicken in the first place eliminates the cleanup chore altogether. It saves you time and reduces your risk.
9. Health Agencies Worldwide Say the Same Thing
The CDC isn’t the only one saying this. The USDA, FDA, and even international health organizations echo the same advice: never wash your chicken. It’s one of the most consistent food safety messages across borders. If you’ve grown up with a different habit, it’s time to update your kitchen practices based on modern science, not tradition.
10. You’ll Be Setting a Safer Example for the Next Generation
Kids learn cooking habits by watching us. If they see you rinsing raw poultry, they’re likely to carry that behavior into their own kitchens someday. Following CDC advice isn’t just about keeping your own family safe—it’s about educating the next generation of cooks. Safe food handling starts at home, and you can lead the way.
Leave the Water Off—And Turn the Heat Up Instead
It might feel odd at first, but skipping the chicken rinse is a small habit change that pays off big in kitchen safety. The CDC’s advice is clear: never wash your chicken, because the risks far outweigh any perceived benefits. Focus on clean hands, sanitized surfaces, and fully cooked poultry instead. Your kitchen—and your health—will thank you.
Do you rinse your chicken before cooking? Have you already made the switch? Share your thoughts or tips in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
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