Why You (Truly) Need an Instant-Read Meat Thermometer
Updated: Jul. 15, 2022
Want to make sure your meats are always perfectly done?
Instant-read meat thermometers are essential in any kitchen. For a home cook, they’re an indispensable tool for making a tender pot roast or crisp and juicy roast chicken, all without breaking a sweat. The beauty is that meat thermometers are so easy to use! Whether you’ve accidentally dried out your dinner in the past or—worse—undercooked it, using an instant-read meat thermometer will make sure your meals are always perfectly done.
Perfect Roast Chicken Recipes
Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
This one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin For more poultry ideas, check out these recipes for every way to cook chicken.
Louisiana Chicken
Green peppers and mint add a surprise to this Louisiana chicken recipe. A roasting bag keeps the chicken moist and flavorful. —Jill Werle, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan This dish is perfect for summer, as are these grilled chicken recipes.
Greek Chicken Bake
As soon as the weather turns cold, I know it's time to pull out this go-to recipe. I assemble it in the morning, then put it in the oven before dinner. —Kelly Maxwell, Plainfield, Illinois Do you know how to bake chicken breasts, too?
Mimosa Roasted Chicken
This aromatic seasoned chicken with a rich and buttery champagne gravy will delight all who taste it. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chicken Royale
Treat your dinner guests like kings and queens by serving them this chicken royale recipe. —Nancy Schubert, Lake Forest, Illinois
Country Roasted Chicken
This Dutch oven roast chicken recipe gets wonderful flavor from the celery, onion and parsley tucked inside. This is my family's favorite way to make roast chicken. When my daughter was away at school, she even called home to ask me for the recipe so she could make it herself. —Judy Page, Edenville, Michigan For another easy, delicious method, learn how to cook chicken in an air fryer.
Roasted Tuscan Chicken Dinner
When an Italian friend shared many years ago that she often added Italian sausages to her pan of baked chicken, I had to give it a try! The sausages give the chicken an amazing flavor. Over the years, I've turned it into a one-dish meal by adding potatoes, onions and peppers, and it has become a family favorite that I often use for holidays, spur of the moment company and Sunday dinners. —Teri Lindquist, Gurnee, Illinois
Citrus-Herb Roast Chicken
This dish is one of my all-time favorites. The flavorful, juicy chicken combines with the aromas of spring in fresh herbs, lemon and onions to form the perfect one-pot meal. I make the gravy right in the pan. —Megan Fordyce, Fairchance, Pennsylvania
Honey-Lime Roasted Chicken
It's hard to believe this finger-licking main course starts with only five ingredients. The chicken is easy, light and so good. It's just as tasty prepared outside on the grill. —Lori Carbonell, Springfield, Vermont
Roasted Chicken with Veggies
Bright, tender vegetables surround this moist golden chicken seasoned with aromatic thyme. — Mary Beth Hansen, Columbia, Tennessee This dish is a family favorite. So are these copycat chicken recipes.
Roasted Chicken with Brown Gravy
Folks say this is the most delicious roasted chicken in brown sauce they've ever had. There's only one problem—there are never any leftovers! —Annie Tompkins, Deltona, Florida
Buttery Herb Roasted Chicken
Roasting chicken is always such a comforting thing, especially when you can pick the herbs right from your garden and pair them with some fresh citrus to smear across the bird! My family can't get enough of this herb-roasted chicken recipe. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Roasted Chicken with Rosemary
Herbs, garlic and butter give this hearty meal in one a classic flavor. It's a lot like pot roast, except it uses chicken instead of beef. —Isabel Zienkosky, Salt Lake City, Utah
Garlic-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
The first time my Greek father-in-law made this chicken, he proudly shared the recipe with me. It's my favorite way to roast chicken.
Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with Potatoes
This is a meal I have my students make in our nutrition unit. It has a delicious lemon-herb flavor and is simple to make. —Mindy Rottmund, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Savory Roasted Chicken
When you want an impressive centerpiece for Sunday dinner or a special-occasion meal, you can't go wrong with this golden chicken. The moist, tender meat is enhanced with a hint of orange, savory and thyme. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Garlic Clove Chicken
My Greek neighbors made this chicken frequently, and I couldn’t get enough of it. If you like garlic, you’ll love this recipe. —Denise Hollebeke, Penhold, Alberta
Roasted Lime Chicken
The subtle citrus flavor infused throughout this moist and baked lime chicken makes it a frequent request for family dinners. It's the ideal way to use fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, thyme and parsley. —Kathy Lewis-Martinez, Spring Valley, California
Roast Chicken with Creole Stuffing
I've used this recipe ever since I roasted my first chicken. Our whole family looks forward to it. The combination of shrimp, sausage, ham, vegetables and seasonings makes the stuffing unique and delicious.
Lemon & Sage Roasted Chicken
Whether it’s soaking in marinade or baking in the oven, this easy-to-prepare chicken allows ample hands-free time. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
Roasted Chicken
This tender chicken is a real time-saver on a busy weekend. A simple blend of seasonings makes it a snap to prepare, and it smells heavenly as it roasts. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington
Roast Chicken with Vegetables
Love a moist and tender chicken but not the mess of actually roasting one? Use an oven cooking bag to keep a chicken and veggies easily under control. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Roasted Chicken Thighs with Peppers & Potatoes
My family loves this dish! There's nothing better than oven baked boneless chicken thighs for dinner. It looks and tastes like you fussed, but it is really simple to make. These roasted chicken thighs use healthy olive oil and fresh herbs from my garden. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
Roast Spiced Chicken
Ever have a worn index card recipe from your mother with food stains covering the words? Spiced chicken has been in our family more than 50 years. —Cindy Kanwar, Blacklick, OH
Maple-Roasted Chicken & Acorn Squash
When I became a new mother, my mom helped me find comforting and simple recipes to have on hand. This terrific roast chicken is a happy discovery. —Sara Eilers, Surprise, Arizona
Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted Chicken
I love cooking so much I sometimes think of recipes in my sleep and wake up to write them down! This dream-inspired dish is my family's favorite way to eat chicken. —Holly Kilbel, Akron, Ohio
Honey-Roasted Chicken & Root Vegetables
When my whole family comes over for dinner, I make a big platter of roast chicken with sweet potatoes, carrots and fennel. My dad leads the fan club. —Kelly Ferguson, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
Lemon & Thyme Roasted Chicken
I love lemon and thyme together so I decided to roast a chicken with that combo. The seasoning is simple, and the meat comes out moist and tender. —Pam Nelson, Beaverton, Oregon
Balsamic Roasted Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables
I will always remember the way my grandmother's house smelled when she made these balsamic chicken thighs every Sunday. Ever since she gave me the recipe, the heartwarming flavors always take me back to my childhood. — Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York
Lemony Roasted Chicken and Potatoes
This one-dish meal tastes like it needs hours of hands-on time to put together, but it's just minutes to prep the simple ingredients. The meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. So easy. —Sherri Melotik Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Baked Balsamic Chicken
As far as roast chicken ideas go, this baked balsamic chicken recipe is one of our favorites. When the aroma from this dish fills your house, your family will think you spent all day cooking. But this elegant Sunday-special roast chicken, flavored with rosemary, wine and balsamic vinegar, is surprisingly simple to make. —Tracy Tylkowski, Omaha, Nebraska
Glazed Roast Chicken
I like to make this for weeknight dinners. You can make this roast chicken with apricot glaze or quince jelly. —Victoria Miller, San Ramon, California
Slow-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables
Even a beginner cook could make this slow cooked chicken and have it turn out perfectly. This recipe could not be easier. A few minutes of prep and you'll come home to a delicious dinner. —Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee
Slow-Roasted Lemon Dill Chicken
The lemon and dill in this slow-cooked recipe give the chicken a bright, fresh taste. Pair the entree with a side of noodles or a mixed green salad. —Lori Lockrey, Pickering, Ontario
Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken
It's easy to make a whole chicken in a slow cooker. We save the shredded chicken to use during busy weeks. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, KansasHow to Use a Meat Thermometer
Using a meat thermometer is a piece of cake. Aim for the thickest, meatiest part of your roast (like the chicken thighs, for instance). Digital meat thermometers read the internal temperature of your dish within seconds and then display it on an easy-to-read screen. Typically, they’re accurate within two to three degrees, so you’ll know if you’re where you need to be in the cooking process.
The reason why it’s so necessary for the kitchen isn’t just to achieve a moist and tender turkey; cooking to the correct internal temperature is a safety matter, too.
When you’re using the oven at home, it’s important to reach a safe core temperature in your meat, fish or poultry dishes. Doing so kills off any potentially harmful germs and protects you and your family from food-borne illnesses (like E. coli). Here’s a quick refresher on the minimum safe internal temperatures for various foods:
- Beef, veal and lamb: 135°F for medium rare, 145° for medium well
- Pork: 145°
- Chicken and other poultry: 165°
- Fish: 160°
Find all our Test Kitchen-recommended temperatures here.
When to Use a Meat Thermometer
There are lots of different ways to use your handy thermometer—and if you don’t have one, our Test Kitchen cooks love this convenient (and colorful) option from Thermoworks. We know they’re most often used for checking temps on foods cooked in the oven. But these must-have tools are for more than roasts! Keep a thermometer on hand whenever you’re frying in oil, too. Whipping up fries or corn dogs for the kids? Make sure to have an instant-read meat thermometer so you know when your oil is the right temperature for getting that beautiful golden brown crispiness.
You’ll never go wrong with an instant-read meat thermometer in your kitchen’s armory!
Originally Published: May 31, 2018
