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AIBU?

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Original poster

Do you wash chicken?

145 replies

beebee25 · 07/04/2026 19:36

I have a friend who was horrified when a foreign visitor washed chicken and spread chicken juice everywhere. I don't wash chicken but back in the 80s I did as that seemed to be the thing to do. Do you wash your chicken?

OP posts:
Keroppi · 07/04/2026 22:28

Yes 🇵🇰🇯🇲 but not every time as I'm lazy
Wouldn't expect most white British people to do so though or understand
It's really more marinating it in lemon vinegar water in a bowl in the sink, maybe rubbing it with the lemon & then pouring that water down the sink
Bits do slough off. Gristly bits, little threads of blood etc, slimy stuff. Especially on thighs

Bleach whole sink and counter tops etc after

No running tap on high violently splashing bacteria over the kitchen as some people jump to that dramatic vision

Allseeingallknowing · 07/04/2026 22:23

No, we’ve know for years that it is not necessary and potentially dangerous! All that’s needed is to wipe with kitchen towel

nocoolnamesleft · 07/04/2026 22:15

Of course not. I don't want salmonella all over my kitchen.

AliTheMinx · 07/04/2026 21:41

Nope! Would never occur to.me to do so..!

hopefulsocks · 07/04/2026 21:40

Yuk no, what are you achieving by running it under water (other than spreading bacteria around your kitchen)?

HRTQueen · 07/04/2026 21:34

Yes

and I don’t splash the water everywhere

in will sometimes rinse lamb chops too, when you get them from a butchers they sometimes have bit of bone on them

Dentalmum2 · 07/04/2026 21:27

Jrisix · 07/04/2026 21:06

Look it up, it creates an aerosol that gets up to a metre away from the sink

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Just looked it up. An aerosol can be created when running water continuously hits raw chicken. Most people don't do this. If I'm washing a large quantity (10+ legs) I put them in a large pot and do it in the back garden, using the outside tap as I wouldn't be able to do it easily in the kitchen sink.

Dentalmum2 · 07/04/2026 21:22

Pics · 07/04/2026 21:18

It used to be best hygiene practice in the UK due to some sort of benefit to washing off some potentially harmful germs - but due to changes in chicken production methods and balance of bacteria/potential risk, the old style of washing became a greayer risk and advice changed- hence being different cultural and national practices.

These things often go full circle so I'm sure some new research will come out saying that not washing it is somehow harmful, and the cycle will continue, with threads asking about chicken washing in 2087

Dentalmum2 · 07/04/2026 21:20

vodkaredbullgirl · 07/04/2026 21:08

Wtf

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You put it in a bowl and don't slosh it around the walls or spray the kitchen with it.

Jamontoastandtea · 07/04/2026 21:20

Yes - always. The chicken slime in the pack makes me gag 🤢
I just clear the area and disinfect it all afterwards.

Pics · 07/04/2026 21:18

It used to be best hygiene practice in the UK due to some sort of benefit to washing off some potentially harmful germs - but due to changes in chicken production methods and balance of bacteria/potential risk, the old style of washing became a greayer risk and advice changed- hence being different cultural and national practices.

SliceofTosst · 07/04/2026 21:18

No!!!
There's even adverts telling you not to for H&S reasons.
Any bacteria goes on cooking.

Zanatdy · 07/04/2026 21:14

No I don’t wash any meat

XenoBitch · 07/04/2026 21:13

Dentalmum2 · 07/04/2026 21:06

Your dishwashing method is how most people wash their chicken.

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An utterly pointless exercise.

DefiantRabbit9 · 07/04/2026 21:11

Not here. Whilst we lived in the states though I had to wash chicken and I hated it.

vodkaredbullgirl · 07/04/2026 21:08

Dentalmum2 · 07/04/2026 21:06

Your dishwashing method is how most people wash their chicken.

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Wtf

Jrisix · 07/04/2026 21:06

Dentalmum2 · 07/04/2026 19:53

How do you think chicken washers do it? This conjures up images of someone using a powerhose and purposely spraying it around the kitchen. When I wash any type of meat, it doesn't spray anywhere.

Edited
Show quote history

Look it up, it creates an aerosol that gets up to a metre away from the sink

Dentalmum2 · 07/04/2026 21:06

XenoBitch · 07/04/2026 20:53

My washing up technique does not involve splashing anything all over the kitchen. I also use anti-bac washing up liquid to clean my dishes. Some people have dishwashers.
I hope no one is cleaning chicken with soap, but this is MN 😶

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Your dishwashing method is how most people wash their chicken.

MaybeIamJustABitch · 07/04/2026 21:06

Eurgh, adds to list of another reason to go veggie or vegan!

Ive never done it, but given the sub standard of meat/poultry in our supermarkets (what with traditional butchers being very scarce these days), as well as not being able to afford organic, I find the washing of any of it repulsive. (Obvs just my feeling/opinion on the matter)

Vaxtable · 07/04/2026 21:05

No and I can’t believe how many do

Dentalmum2 · 07/04/2026 21:04

sittingonabeach · 07/04/2026 20:49

@Dentalmum2 I put those kitchen items in the dishwasher. I’m not putting my chicken in there

And if washing a chicken involves putting in a bowl of water and rubbing with lemon etc, how do you wash mince?

See I wouldn't put any chicken utensils in the dishwasher without properly washing and disinfecting first. That isn't good hygiene practice. Tiny bits of the chicken could still be on the chopping board after it's gone through the dishwasher.

I wash mince by piercing the bottom of the bag it's in numerous times and pouring water in the mouth of the bag, the water 'fountains' out the holes and I do this until it runs clear. It's more rinsing, if we want to be pedantic.

whatcanthematterbe81 · 07/04/2026 20:59

My sister does. Shes a bit dumb tho

EffervescenceSmallUmbrella · 07/04/2026 20:57

2boyzNosleep · 07/04/2026 20:35

I fail to see how its any different from people marinating their chicken, then having to wash the dish/bowl it was marinating in? Or brining it in salt water? What about washing the chopping board that you cut it on?

I know that the advice is not to wash meat/chicken, people who do put it in a bowl of water &vinegar/lemon juice, then rinse it off. That minute or 2 does add a better flavour.

This is exactly what I’ve never understood. The people I know who ‘wash’ chicken aren’t running it under the tap and getting out the dishmatic then washing the dishes straight after.
They soak it in a bowl.
I don’t wash chicken but I do put it in a bowl with herbs/spices/yoghurt/oil or whatever before I cook it. I don’t see the difference.

SpringAndSunshineIsHere · 07/04/2026 20:55

No!!!

XenoBitch · 07/04/2026 20:53

Dentalmum2 · 07/04/2026 20:44

But the bacteria on the chopping board and mixing bowl is still "being splashed all over the kitchen". It's the same thing.

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My washing up technique does not involve splashing anything all over the kitchen. I also use anti-bac washing up liquid to clean my dishes. Some people have dishwashers.
I hope no one is cleaning chicken with soap, but this is MN 😶