Roasted Chicken Internal Temperature Done
Not just anywhere! Never hit the bone. Bone conducts heat differently and gives you a false reading. Insert your probe into the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone.
Another pro tip: check the breast too. It's leaner, so it cooks faster. If your thigh hits 165°F but your breast is 185°F, you've got a texture problem.
The Juicy Myth vs. Reality
Ever heard "pink juice means it's raw"? Total myth. Pinkness can come from myoglobin, a protein in young chickens. Even at safe temps, some birds stay pink.
Another myth: "If the leg wiggles, it's done." Nope. That's just loose joints, not a thermometer. Trust the numbers, not the jiggles.