What should you check to ensure chicken is safely cooked?

To ensure chicken is safely cooked, checking the internal temperature is crucial. The internal temperature needs to reach a minimum of 165°F (75°C) to effectively kill harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which are commonly associated with poultry. Using a food thermometer is the best practice to accurately measure this temperature, as external factors like color or texture might mislead you.

While other factors can contribute to the perception of doneness, such as skin color or texture, these are not reliable indicators of safety. Marinade absorption also does not provide any information about the chicken's internal temperature. Therefore, relying on internal temperature is the most effective way to ensure that the chicken is safe to eat.