Chicken internal temperature

[Rowley010]

So I've got an oven safe temperature probe which I've just purchased recently and I cook my chicken, both whole or pieces, to an internal temperature of 74C.

My question is, if I'm cooking something where the chicken breast is stuffed, where do I measure the temperature?

I've got a recipe that uses a filling of cheese and herbs and various other bits. This is then stuffed inside chicken breasts. Where do I probe the chicken to make sure it's safe? Do I need to make sure the filling has reached 74C to make it safe or will doing this make the meat dry and over cooked?

[Andy M.]

The coldest part of the chicken must be @ 74ºC.

[Rowley010]

So if the chicken is stuffed it's still the actual chicken that needs to be that temperature and not the filling?mis there no danger of raw chicken juices running into the filling and contaminating it that way if not brought up the 74C?

[Andy M.]

No. The entire piece, stuffing and chicken must reach the 74ºC temperature. Juices from the raw chicken can get into the stuffing so that has to be at temp.

[Rowley010]

Thanks

[tenspeed]

Here's Seriouseats take on temperature for chicken:

The Food Lab's Complete Guide to Sous Vide Chicken Breast | Serious Eats

[The Rugged Dude]

And, please send a piece to me in Nova Scotia...


RD