I forgot to turn down the heat on my roasting chicken

[lillypaddle]

Was supposed to be at 450 for 12 minutes, and I forgot to turn the heat down to 350 for an additional 10 minutes. Do you think I've ruined it? Should I reduce the time left to roast it at 350?

Your help will be VERY appreciated!

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. Do you have a meat thermometer?

I pull my chicken at about 155F (taking it to 165F is ridiculous overkill IMHO). After a 5 minute (covered) sit, it comes out perfect.

If you don't have a meat thermometer, you should have one. Essential cooking tool

[lillypaddle]

2. I do!

Can't believe this didn't even occur to me, but that's why I asked DU for help. Yes, I'll just check the temperature early, and keep checking. I use 155F, too. Thank you so much! In my panic, my brain quit working.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

3. One of my all-time favorite inventions is the digital thermometer with the phone app

I bought a cheap unit with 2 wired probes and a unit they plug into. Then it has a simple phone app ... I just basically punch in a temp in the app and the phone shows me at all times what the temp is, and sets off an alarm when the food reaches the temp I set it to.

I freaking LOVE this thing, esp. for barbequing larger pieces of meat. Was like $40 and the best $40 I ever spent

It's not more of a favorite than my forehead-mounted flashlight, but very close.

[lillypaddle]

9. Sounds nice

I have a $12 digital that I got from Amazon. Woirks well, but doesn't notify me.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

15. If you only ever use it in the oven it's not as awesome, where it really shines is charcoal grilling

With big pieces (like a whole chicken or turkey) you don't want to waste heat by opening the top more than is necessary, and you can't look through the oven door to see the thermo ... on a grill.

Plus, the BBQ is of course outside.

It's pretty sweet to be able to monitor progress on meat you have out on the grill ... from the couch, and know you'll get an alarm when it's at the temp you want

[3catwoman3]

18. What is the brand name/ make of this device.

Sounds like something worth having.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

19. It is handy :)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076B36HF9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Bobstandard]

4. If you're roasting Foster Farms, go for 165

Chicken from the massive factories is way too often contaminated with salmonella and other pathogens. 165 gives you some hope that the heat has killed them.

[Midnightwalk]

7. I avoid mutant chickens 🐔 like the plague.

Massive parts that taste off and have a weird texture, and like you say often have salmonella.

I started thinking of them as mutant and ever since really don’t like them.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

13. Okay, but if you cook Turkey or Chicken all the way to 165F before removing it

It will go up in temps still after you take it out ... 3-5F depending if you cover it or not and various other factors.

Those few degrees make a big difference in texture/how it actually tastes when you go to eat it.

I would NOT recommend taking chicken/turkey to 165F before removing it from heat. 160F is the max IMHO.

Or better, as you suggest, buy a higher quality bird you don't have to worry so much about

[Bobstandard]

14. Ok. Let's get down to fine details

Which part of the chicken or turkey should one measure for temp? Many authorities say the thickest part of the dark meat, ie the thigh. Others say that with the beasts bread for giant breasts you should measure deep in there. Argh! Why is nothing simple. Decisions. Always with the decisions!

[Hugh_Lebowski]

16. Fair question and of course that does matter ...

I usually shoot for a bit below the middle of the largest part of the breast. In other words closer to the bone than the middle of it, maybe 3/4 of the way down is what I try for.

[Dave in VA]

5. Meat Thermometer, YES!

It has saved my cooking blunders so many times I've lost count!

[elleng]

6. Surely not ruined; just 10 minutes, and 450 - 350

for that period no big deal (imo.) Yes, reduce to 350 for remaining time.

[lillypaddle]

10. Thanks for the boost nt

[Goonch]

8. ;-{)🖖

[Tetrachloride]

11. Baste

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

12. All too easy to do.

That's why I constantly set a timer for things.

Sometimes, it takes me a moment to remember why in the world I set the timer, because it's not always about food.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

17. 90% of what I use Alexa for is it's timer/alarm features ...

I can say 'alexa set timer for 20 minutes for chicken' and then five minutes later say 'alexa set timer for 10 minutes for beans' and then she'll say 'your chicken timer is done' and 'your beans timer is done'. Never done >2 but I'd guess she'll handle a few more at minimum.

It's really pretty handy

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

20. I don't happen to use Alexa, but the timer on the stove has always

worked for me.