How do you clean chicken?

Before you start:

* Wash your hands thoroughly: This is the most important step to prevent cross-contamination.

* Gather your supplies: You'll need a cutting board, a sharp knife, paper towels, and cold running water.

* Prepare your workspace: Clean and disinfect your cutting board and sink.

Cleaning the Chicken:

1. Rinse the chicken: Place the chicken under cold running water and rinse thoroughly.

2. Pat dry: Use paper towels to pat the chicken dry. This will help prevent splattering during cooking.

3. Inspect for any damage: Look for any tears, punctures, or discoloration. If you find any, it's best to discard the chicken.

4. Remove any excess skin or fat: If desired, use your knife to trim away any excess skin or fat. This will reduce the amount of fat in the final dish.

5. Separate parts (optional): If you are cooking the chicken in parts, you may want to separate the breasts, thighs, wings, and legs.

Important notes:

* Do not wash chicken in the sink: Washing chicken under running water can spread bacteria around your kitchen.

* Don't use soap: Soap can leave a residue on the chicken that could be harmful.

* Cook chicken thoroughly: Make sure to cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill any harmful bacteria.

* Wash everything: Thoroughly wash your hands, cutting board, knife, and sink after handling raw chicken.

Additional tips:

* Use a separate cutting board for raw chicken: This helps prevent cross-contamination.

* Don't let raw chicken touch other foods: Keep raw chicken separate from cooked foods and fresh produce.

* Refrigerate chicken properly: Store chicken in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.

* Don't refreeze thawed chicken: Once chicken has thawed, it should be cooked immediately.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your chicken is clean and safe to eat.