what temperature is chicken done

Chicken should always be cooked to a safe internal temperature to avoid foodborne illness. The USDA recommends cooking whole chicken and parts of chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for at least 30 seconds. However, the internal temperature for juicy, properly cooked chicken is 150°F (65°C) for at least 3 minutes for white meat. For the best-tasting white meat, which includes breasts and wings, you generally want to cook the meat to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). This temperature will continue to rise after removing the chicken from the heat, ideally to a temperature of about 165°F (74°C) . For dark meat, such as thighs and legs, the recommended internal temperature is 170-175°F (77-79°C) . It is important to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked to the correct temperature, and to insert the thermometer in different spots, making sure to pay special attention to the thickest parts of the meat.