Cooked Chicken Smells Like Eggy Sulfur: What Makes My Cooked Chicken Smell Like Rotten Eggs?
Cooked chicken that smells like eggs is a well-known phenomenon in many kitchens and a lot of people don’t know why.
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The answer lies in this article.
Read on to figure out what makes your cooked chicken have an eggy smell and how to get rid of it.
Why does my cooked chicken smell like eggs?
If you are cooking chicken in the oven or serving your chicken dish on the table and there is an eggy smell coming out of it, it might be due to one of the following reasons:
Salmonella bacteria produced while cooking at a lower temperature than required
One of the most common causes that explain the eggy smell from your cooked chicken is from a kind of bacteria called Salmonella.
It is typically found in chicken products like eggs, and if your chicken is cooked at a too low temperature, the bacteria will release a gas called hydrogen sulfide that smells like rotten eggs.
Normally, Salmonella is killed when cooked at a high temperature, and it isn’t a big problem at all.
Spoiled blood
Another reason that causes the eggy smell in your chicken when cooked is that the blood is spoiled.
When the butcher is not experienced enough or just made a mistake when slaughtering the chicken, chances are the blood of the chicken is spoiled.
If there is no problem with the meat, normally, it is quite easy to fix this problem, but your chicken might not taste as delicious as the one that has been slaughtered properly.
How can you tell if cooked chicken is spoiled?
As with any cooked meat, you can tell if chicken is spoiled if it smells bad or has visible signs of mold.
However, because chicken is so lean, it often goes bad before you can see any outward signs.
That’s why it’s important to always check the expiration date before eating.
If the chicken is past its expiration date, throw it away.
Another way to tell if chicken has gone bad is by cooking it.
If the meat is discolored or smells off, don’t eat it.
What does bad chicken smell like when cooked?
Bad chicken will smell rank, like rotting meat.
You might notice a sulfurous odor, or the chicken may simply smell old and off.
If you detect an unpleasant odor even before cooking the chicken, it’s best to discard it.
Cooking won’t necessarily eliminate all bacteria from chicken that has gone bad, which means you could get sick from consuming it.
If you’re not sure whether your chicken has gone bad, err on the side of caution and throw it out.
Chicken that has been properly handled and stored should have little to no scent.
So if your cooked chicken has any sort of funky smell to it, chances are it’s not safe to eat.
Is it safe to eat cooked chicken that smells like sulfur?
There are several opinions about eating cooked chicken that smells like eggs.
However, ultimately, it needs further check before deciding if the chicken is safe to be served for dinner or not.
For example, if the rotten egg smell comes from the chicken because you haven’t cooked the chicken correctly, then give it a try.
If the chicken turns out to be much better and tastes normal after being re-cooked, then it will be fine to consume it.
In other cases, if you notice any other signs of spoilage like grey skin or slimy texture, this means your chicken is spoiled and isn’t safe to eat anymore.
It should be discarded immediately to protect your family’s health.
How to get rid of the eggy sulfur smell from cooked chicken?
No one likes the eggy smell that the cooked chicken leaves behind.
Fortunately, there are actually some ways that can help you remove the eggy smell in your cooked chicken, or at least, some tips that will guide you on how to choose and prepare chicken properly so that there will be no unpleasant eggy smell in your kitchen.
Discard chicken if it comes with other signs of spoilage
If your cooked chicken also comes with a slimy and sticky texture besides the rotten egg smell, it means that it is spoiled and is no longer safe to eat.
It’s time to discard this spoiled chicken and buy another one.
Wash the chicken carefully with some salt and vinegar before cooking it
One tip to get rid of the eggy smell from your chicken is to wash it thoroughly before cooking it.
You can use salt and vinegar to wash the chicken because these substances can help remove any bad odor in the meat.
Remember to rinse your chicken with cool water again before cooking to remove any excess salt or vinegar lingering on the chicken that can change the taste of your dish.
Cook chicken with fresh herbs and citrus juice at the right temperature
Another tip to have chicken without an eggy smell is to cook it with a lot of fresh herbs or citrus juice at the right temperature.
Rosemary, sage, thyme, garlic, or cilantro are some common herbs that go well with chicken.
These herbs have a pungent and aromatic flavor so that they will not only help enhance the taste of your dish but also take the eggy smell away.
Remember to cook it at the right temperature (350 to 400 degrees F) to make sure that the Salmonella bacteria is killed.
The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees F when served.
The bottom line
Cooked poultry has a tendency to have an eggy smell due to several reasons.
Don’t judge your chicken just based on its smell, but also take a closer look at it and see if there are any other signs that tell your chicken is spoiled and should be discarded.
Otherwise, you still consume it without threatening your health.
