Cooking guide
Can you cook raw chicken in a microwave?
USDA provides microwave directions for raw thawed chicken, but uneven heating means a multi-point 165°F (74°C) check is essential.
U.S. home food-safety guidance.Check the source and scope
What to do
- Confirm the appliance and packaging permit this use; do not microwave stuffed chicken or cook ordinary frozen raw chicken directly this way.
- Arrange pieces with thicker parts toward the outside in a microwave-safe covered dish; turn or rearrange as directed.
- Allow the specified standing time, then use a clean thermometer in several thick areas, cooking further if any is below 165°F.
Conditions and limits
- Do not substitute this raw-cooking process for reheating cooked leftovers.
- Do not publish a fixed time without the microwave power, food size, and manufacturer directions.
Source and scope
Primary reference: USDA FSIS Chicken from Farm to Table. Equipment-specific steps and quality suggestions are practical guidance; check the appliance or product instructions for your model. How this site uses sources.