Chicken is considered done and safe for consumption when your thermometer reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit for chicken parts or 180 degrees Fahrenheit for a whole chicken (via Chicken Farmers of Canada). In fact, my first cookbook was based on the whole concept of cooking 5 pounds of chicken at the beginning of the week, then transforming it into a different dinner every night. Overcooking. A drizzle of creamy ranch dressing cools the fire, long enough for you to refill your fork. When you overcook meat, you're rendering out the fat and liquid, so all you're really left with are the toughened muscle fibers. This comforting weeknight casserole recipe features plenty of mushrooms and asparagus combined with chicken and brown rice and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. All rights reserved. ~ Carole, Chopped Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing. window.jQuery || document.write('