Do you wash your chicken before cooking it? Just curious!

I usually soak it in salt water.

I know the "pros" say NOT to wash -- that any contamination will be taken care of in the cooking process and that washing will only further contaminate the sink and surrounding area -- but knowing and doing are two different things. I just can't take a piece of chicken out of a package and throw it in the pan. I do take pains though to clean the sink and surrounding area with Comet or some such product after rinsing the chicken.

I rinse it. I also rinse the packaging that it came in before putting in my kitchen trash can. If I'm going to rinse the packaging...why not rinse the chicken?!

I've had two relatives who have worked in chicken processing plants. One swore off chicken after that and did not eat another piece. The other one said to be certain to rinse chicken.

Very few of us are stupid enough to turn the water on full blast and soak the counter in the first place. And besides...who doesn't clean their sink and counter when they get through?! I have a spray bottle with a bleach based cleaner handy and ALWAYS clean the sink and surrounding counter after I have the chicken cooking.

And that brining...makes the best flavored chicken ever!!! Especially if you add in a couple of good squirts of dijon mustard and a few sprinkles of Tabasco sauce.

I mostly buy skinless, boneless breasts. I put them straight from the package onto the grill.

Stitches,
What do you use to clean the sink and counters with after you rinse the chicken? I have used sponges, cloths, paper towels, etc. I never know what to use to wipe off the sink.

I use a brush in the sink and a dish cloth around the sink.

Squirt some DW deter in the sink, run hot water, and scrub with the brush. Rinse. Put the brush in the DWer. Then I spray the sink and surrounding area with a cleaner that contains bleach and wipe down with the cloth. That cloth goes on the towel bar inside the lower cabinet door and I get a clean one out to use... After the meal is over and DWer loaded...all the kitchen cloths, towels, etc go to the laundry room.

My grandmother was meticulous in her kitchen and never had a hot water heater. You would not believe how much water she heated on her stove to keep her kitchen and dishes clean!

I'm not really a germa-phobe (don't even know how to spell it ) but I do rinse off all chicken, beef and pork and pat dry with paper towels before cooking.

I wash my whole chicken but always use a separate cloth to clean the sink area and then that goes straight into the laundry in a hot load.

I use very slow running cold water, don't splash and make sure the area around the sink is empty. I Too wash the wrappers, but to prevent maggots etc. shudder....and kitties diving into the trash can.

Sherry!!! I thought I was the only one who rinsed the packaging! And I never really thought of brining the chicken as washing it. I always rinse the chicken inside and out and then soak it for 30 minutes in salted water.

How about posting a recipe for the brine for that clean chicken.

I rinse the chicken and the bag because I don't want the dog to get in the trash can.

Wanda

Oh...another thing...I save those zipper style bags that shredded cheese, almonds, etc. come in as well as "gently" used bags. I have an empty quart bag box in a bottom drawer in my kitchen for those slightly used bags. I put the rinsed plastic packaging from chicken and other meats in that before putting in the trash...just trying to control odors.

I don't have a brine recipe. I just pour a tablespoon or two of salt in enough water to cover the chicken...generally chicken pieces. Someone else might have a specific recipe for you. And if you are adventurous, don't forget the mustard and Tabasco sauce. Afterwards, dredge in seasoned flour and fry.