Why You (Truly) Need an Instant-Read Meat Thermometer

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

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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 Go to Recipe For more poultry ideas, check out these recipes for every way to cook chicken.

Louisiana Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Louisiana ChickenGreen peppers and mint add a surprise to this Louisiana chicken recipe. A roasting bag keeps the chicken moist and flavorful. —Jill Werle, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

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This dish is perfect for summer, as are these grilled chicken recipes.

Greek Chicken Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Greek Chicken BakeAs 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

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Do you know how to bake chicken breasts, too?

Mimosa Roasted ChickenThis aromatic seasoned chicken with a rich and buttery champagne gravy will delight all who taste it. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Chicken RoyaleTreat your dinner guests like kings and queens by serving them this chicken royale recipe. —Nancy Schubert, Lake Forest, Illinois

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Country Roasted ChickenThis 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

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For another easy, delicious method, learn how to cook chicken in an air fryer.

Roasted Tuscan Chicken DinnerWhen 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

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Citrus-Herb Roast ChickenThis 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

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Honey-Lime Roasted ChickenIt'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

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Roasted Chicken with VeggiesBright, tender vegetables surround this moist golden chicken seasoned with aromatic thyme. — Mary Beth Hansen, Columbia, Tennessee

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This dish is a family favorite. So are these copycat chicken recipes.

Roasted Chicken with Brown GravyFolks 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

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Buttery Herb Roasted Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Buttery Herb Roasted ChickenRoasting 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

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Roasted Chicken with RosemaryHerbs, 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

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Garlic-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Garlic-Roasted Chicken and VegetablesThe 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.

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Taste of Home

Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with PotatoesThis 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

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Savory Roasted ChickenWhen 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

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Garlic Clove Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Garlic Clove ChickenMy 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

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Roasted Lime ChickenThe 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

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Taste of Home

Roast Chicken with Creole StuffingI'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.

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Lemon & Sage Roasted Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Lemon & Sage Roasted ChickenWhether it’s soaking in marinade or baking in the oven, this easy-to-prepare chicken allows ample hands-free time. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

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Taste of Home

Roasted ChickenThis 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

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Roast Chicken with Vegetables Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Roast Chicken with VegetablesLove 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

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Roasted Chicken Thighs with Peppers & Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Roasted Chicken Thighs with Peppers & PotatoesMy 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

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Roast Spiced ChickenEver 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

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Maple-Roasted Chicken & Acorn Squash Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Maple-Roasted Chicken & Acorn SquashWhen 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

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Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted ChickenI 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

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Honey-Roasted Chicken & Root Vegetables Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Honey-Roasted Chicken & Root VegetablesWhen 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

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Lemon & Thyme Roasted Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Lemon & Thyme Roasted ChickenI 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

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Balsamic Roasted Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Balsamic Roasted Chicken Thighs with Root VegetablesI 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

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Lemony Roasted Chicken and Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Lemony Roasted Chicken and PotatoesThis 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

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Baked Balsamic ChickenAs 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

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Glazed Roast Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Glazed Roast ChickenI like to make this for weeknight dinners. You can make this roast chicken with apricot glaze or quince jelly. —Victoria Miller, San Ramon, California

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Slow-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Roasted Chicken with VegetablesEven 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

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Slow-Roasted Lemon Dill ChickenThe 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

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Slow-Cooker Roast ChickenIt's easy to make a whole chicken in a slow cooker. We save the shredded chicken to use during busy weeks. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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How 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!