What internal temperature should an oven-roasted chicken have when it's ready?

The proper internal temperature for a fully cooked oven-roasted chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The most accurate way to determine if the bird is cooked is with a meat thermometer, but a sign indicating that the bird is done is clear juices running from the chicken instead of pink juice.

It is important for the chicken to reach the proper internal temperature, because consuming undercooked poultry can cause a person to become sick from bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter. Overcooked chicken can present as tasteless and dry, so it is recommended to carefully monitor the bird as it is cooking.