![\"Chicken](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chicken-Thighs-Temperature_.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\nInternal Temperature and Safety – What You Should Know?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to the USDA, you need to cook chicken thighs until they reach<\/a> an internal temperature of 165 degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is at this temperature that all the harmful bacteria is killed off, allowing you to safely consume the chicken without the risk of salmonella and food poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, this this is the safest temperature to grill chicken thighs at but this doesn’t tell you the full story. After all, you aren’t just looking to make your meat safe – you also want them to be delicious!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I will go into this in greater detail a little later on in the post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I get this question a lot because pork and other meats are said to be safe at this temperature. So, is this true for chicken thighs<\/a> as well?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, this is a bit of a tricky question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reason that 145 degrees is considered safe for other meats is due to a phenomenon known as rest time. This is when the meat is removed from direct heat but continues to cook internally. Thus, with pork and other meats, you can take the meat off at 145 degrees but in about three minutes or so, it will reach 165 degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This doesn’t happen as much which chicken thighs, though, particularly when they are cooked on medium high heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Personally, I wouldn’t take the chance as food poisoning is no joke. And, as you continue to read, you will discover why you should be letting thigh meat cook at temperatures even higher than 165 degrees!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So here’s what you been waiting for – a reason why<\/a> you should cook chicken thighs past the point of 165 degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chicken thighs are what is known as dark meat as it has an abundance of collagen, far more than white meat. At a high temperature, this collagen begins to break down, turning into gelatin. This acts as a lubricant for the meat, making it seem tender and juicy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, what temperature should you be cooking the chicken thighs at?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, I would advise you to take the temperature up to 180 or 185 degrees for the best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While there is nothing wrong with eating chicken thighs that have been cooked until they are just done, I’m not too fond of the taste or texture. The chicken tends to be on the chewy side<\/a> and the meat isn’t as flavorful as I would like it to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, boneless skinless thighs do cook faster<\/a> than those that have the bones and skin. Now, there isn’t too much of a time difference when it comes to cooking chicken thighs with or without the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The major variation is when the bone in thighs is kept in or taken out. See, with bone in chicken thighs, the meat takes longer to heat up and thus will reach the desired temperature at a slower rate. With boneless thighs, though, you may be able to save up to 10 minutes at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of people estimate that chicken thighs are done based on cooking or baking time. Now, you can certainly follow timings<\/a> if you want. Here are some guidelines to consider – these are for chicken thighs that weigh between 4 to 8 ounces:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want better and more predictable results, however, I would suggest using a thermometer instead. This will show you what the internal temperature of the meat is so you know precisely when it is done. This method reduces the risk of undercooking or overcooking the food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understand, when it comes to cooking, grilling, or baking time, there are a couple of factors to consider. These include the weightof the chicken thighs as well as the cooking temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, when you bake chicken thighs in the oven a larger chicken thigh will take longer to cook. On the other hand, if you are cooking or baking at a higher temperature then the food will cook faster. Thus, there is a lot that can go wrong if you choose to go by time alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would suggest using it as a guideline instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food thermometers are becoming increasingly common in kitchens, a lot of people are still unaware of how to use them. So, here are a few tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, make sure to use a high-quality, accurate thermometer or there will not be much use in this method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second trick is to always insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken thigh. Push the tip all the way into the center. Make sure to avoid the bone as this can cause a misreading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the chicken thighs aren’t cooked all the way through, return them to the heat. If the reading is close enough, then check every five minutes after that until the chicken is cooked all the way through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On a side note, if you are baking or roasting the chicken thighs, I would suggest using an oven thermometer as well. This is to gauge the exact temperature in the oven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember that just because you are setting to your oven to a certain temperature that this isn’t exactly what is registering internally. Making sure that the heat is as high or as low as you want will ensure that you cook the chicken evenly. It can also cut down on how often you have to open the door and letting the heat escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people – me included – thought that you should only eat chicken meat that was completely white. If there were any pink portions it meant that the chicken was undercooked and that it shouldn’t be eaten. Well, it turns out that this isn’t always the case<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to whether or not chicken thighs are fully cooked, it is all down to the actual temperature of the center of the meat. As long as it registers above 165 degrees, it is perfectly safe to consume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, the color of thigh meat can be a bit misleading at times. This is because the color of the chicken can depend on the age of the chicken, what it was fed, pigment in the bone marrow, and whether the meat was frozen. To add to this, the hemoglobin the muscles can react with air while cooking to create a pinkish tinge that remains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chicken breasts are just as popular – if not more so – than chicken thighs. Due to this, I am often asked if the breasts take longer or slower<\/a> to cook than the thighs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, unlike chicken breasts, the chicken thighs are darker meat. As a result, they have a higher content of fat. They are also tend to be larger in size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although this can seem like a downside, it actually isn’t. A chicken breast may cook more quickly, but there is also a higher risk of the meat being overcooked as well. As there is less fat, there aren’t as much juices to keep the chicken moist. This can lead to a dry and unappealing dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, when it comes to breasts, I would advise you to cook them until they are just done and then take them off the heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some guidelines that you should follow to ensure that you get delicious and juicy meat each and every time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"chicken](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/chicken-thighs-with-tomato-and-bell-peppers.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIs 145 Degrees Safe for Chicken?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why You Should Let Chicken Thighs Cook for Longer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Cook Faster?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Do I Know When Chicken Thighs are Done?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"juicy](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/juicy-chicken-thighs.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to Use a Food Thermometer Properly?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Using an Oven Thermometer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chicken Thighs are Pink in the Middle – Is It Safe to Eat?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"gilled](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/gilled-chicken-thighs.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nChicken Thighs vs. Chicken Breasts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Top Tips for Grilling and Cooking Chicken Thighs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Choose Bone In Thighs with Skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n