Avoid A Common Roast Chicken Mistake With A Key Kitchen Tool

Roasting a chicken is one of those kitchen tasks that only seems simple. In truth, there's actually a great deal of technique and know-how that goes into producing a gorgeous, golden bird. From the raw chicken you pick (one celebrity chef insists that smaller birds are the easiest to roast well) to the spices you use, there are a plethora of variables that go into turning out a succulent specimen.

The good news is that knowing how long to leave your chicken in the oven need not be a factor causing you stress. Foodie spoke with chef Russell Kook from The Bellevue Chicago, who stressed the importance of not overcooking your chicken. "Remember, the chicken is already cooked at an internal temperature of 165 [degrees Fahrenheit] — you don't need to kill it twice!" he said. The best way to "ensure you hit that target temperature without going over," says Kook, is a simple kitchen tool you likely already have: a meat thermometer. These handy implements aren't just for frying chicken perfectly; they also let you know the moment your roast chicken has hit the ideal degree of doneness.

Too often, inexperienced home cooks rely on blanket time measurements on recipes to let them know how long something should cook. But the reality is that every oven cooks differently, with some running hotter and some running cooler, making figuring out cook time an inexact science. A meat thermometer, on the other hand, won't mislead you. No matter what temperature you cook at or which oven you use, a digital, instant-read meat thermometer like a ThermoPro won't steer you wrong. If you don't own a meat thermometer, a cake tester can do the trick, but it is not quite as exact.

Even at the perfect temperature, chef Kook insists that there is one last trick to take on to ensure your roast chicken is succulent at serving time. "Additionally, always rest your roasted chicken before carving," he tells us. "This step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist, flavorful bird." Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting into it for the best results.