How to Cool a Whole Chicken

Cooked chicken needs to be cooled properly.

A hot, cooked whole chicken often smells delectable and ready to eat. However, if it was just cooked, it's probably too hot to eat. Rather than risk burning your mouth, let the chicken cool. The amount of time it takes for the chicken to cool depends on how hot it is and the size of the chicken. The internal temperature of the chicken should measure 165 degrees F. Your chicken may have a higher temperature, depending on how long it cooked.

Things You'll Need

• Knife

Instructions

1. Turn off the heat source warming the chicken, if possible. Move the chicken away from the heating source.

2. Take off any covering like aluminum foil, lids or plastic wrap.

3. Cut the chicken with a sharp knife. Cutting the chicken allows more heat to escape faster.

Tips & Warnings

• If the chicken takes more than 15 minutes to cool, put it in the refrigerator.

References

• United States Department of Agriculture: Is it Done Yet? Recommended Internal Temperatures
• Division of Environmental Health: Food Myths