If you want to handle raw chicken safely, the recommended chopping board colour is red, used only for raw meat and poultry. In a colour coded kitchen system, raw chicken should always go on a red board to cut the risk of cross contamination and food poisoning.
Why colour matters for raw chicken
Raw chicken can carry bacteria such as Campylobacter and Salmonella, so it needs strict separation from ready to eat food. A colour coded system makes this simple, even when you are tired or in a rush.
- Red board for raw meat and poultry such as chicken, turkey, beef and lamb
- Yellow board often used for cooked meats
- Green board for salad, fruit and vegetables
- Brown board for bread and baked goods
- Blue board for raw fish and seafood
By always preparing raw chicken on a red board, then washing it in hot soapy water and drying it fully, you create a clear visual rule that everyone in the kitchen can follow. In many homes, people pair a red plastic board for raw chicken with a heavier wooden board for vegetables or serving.
Wood or plastic for raw chicken?
Colour coding is about food safety, not material, so you can use either wood or plastic for raw chicken as long as it is kept for that job and cleaned properly. Many home cooks like a two board system:
- Dedicated red plastic board for raw chicken and other raw meats
- High quality wooden board for vegetables, bread and serving
At Deer & Oak we design wooden boards for everyday prep and serving, then recommend pairing them with a simple red plastic board for raw chicken. This gives you the hygiene benefits of colour coding plus the knife friendly feel and look of real wood.
If you prefer to keep everything on wood, you can still follow the same rule by using a dark board for meat and a lighter board for veg. For instance, many customers use our darker carbonised bamboo board for meat and a natural bamboo board for vegetables, keeping them strictly separate.
How to set up a safe chopping board system at home
You do not need a full commercial catering set to stay safe with raw chicken. A simple, clear system works best in a family kitchen.
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Choose your red board for raw chicken
Pick a red plastic board that is at least 30x20cm so you have space for a whole chicken breast or two. Label it underneath with a marker pen: “RAW MEAT ONLY”. -
Choose your main prep board
Use a sturdy wooden board for vegetables, herbs, fruit and bread. Our Large Bamboo Board DNO-BCB-LG at 45x35cm and 1.8kg gives enough room for full meals without sliding about. -
Keep boards in fixed spots
Store the red board in one cupboard section and your wooden boards in another. Consistency makes it far easier for the whole household to follow the rules. -
Clean immediately after raw chicken
Wash the red board straight away in hot soapy water, rinse well and air dry upright. If your dishwasher runs at 60°C or higher, you can put the plastic board in there as well. Wooden boards should be washed by hand only. -
Replace when damaged
If a plastic board has deep grooves that are hard to clean, or a wooden board starts to split, replace it. Many people keep a red board for 12 to 24 months, depending on how often they cook chicken.
Deer & Oak chopping boards compared
Below is a quick comparison of our most popular wooden boards that pair well with a dedicated red raw chicken board. Each one is designed for daily prep and serving, not for the dishwasher.
| Product | SKU | Size (cm) | Weight | Material | Typical use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45x35cm | 1.8kg | Moso Bamboo | Main prep board for vegetables, herbs and bread | £34.99 |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38x28cm | 1.2kg | Moso Bamboo | Everyday chopping for 1 to 2 people | £24.99 |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45x35cm | 1.9kg | Carbonised Bamboo | Darker board often used as a meat or serving board | £39.99 |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45x35cm | 2.1kg | Acacia Wood | Heavy duty prep and carving joint roasts | £44.99 |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38x28cm | 1.5kg | Acacia Wood | Daily chopping and serving cheese or snacks | £34.99 |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45x35cm + 38x28cm | 3.0kg | Moso Bamboo | Set for separate meat / veg or prep / serving | £49.99 |
Linking board choice to real kitchen problems
How does all this help with raw chicken in real life? Here are some common problems and how a clear board system solves them.
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Problem: Worry about cross contamination
Solution: Use a red plastic board only for raw chicken, plus a Deer & Oak wooden board for everything else. The colour and material difference make it almost impossible to mix them up. -
Problem: Limited worktop space
Solution: Choose the Medium Bamboo Board 38x28cm for vegetables and a slim red board that can stand behind the tap. You still get clear separation without filling the kitchen. -
Problem: Cooking for a family most nights
Solution: Use the Bamboo Double Pack DNO-BCB-2PK so one 45x35cm board can be your main prep surface for vegetables and bread, while the 38x28cm board is kept for cooked meats or serving. Raw chicken stays on a separate red board that can go straight in the dishwasher. -
Problem: Boards sliding while trimming chicken
Solution: Place a damp tea towel under any light plastic red board. For heavier wood like our Large Acacia Board 2.1kg, the weight and thickness help keep everything steady when carving cooked chicken.
Who this is for
Ideal for...
Home cooks in the UK or abroad who want a clear, simple system for handling raw chicken safely. If you cook chicken at least once a week, share a kitchen with family or housemates, and like the feel of real wood under your knife, pairing a red raw chicken board with a Deer & Oak wooden board will suit you. It is especially helpful if you want boards that can last 5 to 10 years with basic oiling and care.
Not recommended for...
People who insist on putting every chopping board in the dishwasher, including wood, or who only want a single all purpose board for every task including raw chicken. If you work in a commercial kitchen that must follow strict catering colour charts for every food group, you will need a full professional colour coded plastic set instead of a mainly wooden set up.
FAQ
Q: Can I cut raw chicken on a wooden chopping board?
A: Yes, you can cut raw chicken on a wooden board as long as you keep that board dedicated to raw meat and clean it thoroughly after each use. Many people prefer to use a red plastic board for raw chicken and keep their Deer & Oak wooden boards for vegetables and serving, which makes colour coding easier to follow.
Q: What chopping board colour for raw chicken in a home kitchen?
A: The recommended colour for raw chicken is red, used for all raw meat and poultry. Even at home, using a red board just for raw chicken and other raw meats reduces the chance of cross contamination with salads, bread and cooked food.
Q: How many chopping boards should I have if I cook chicken often?
A: If you cook chicken once or twice a week, three boards work well: one red board for raw chicken and raw meat, one wooden board such as a 45x35cm bamboo board for vegetables, and a second wooden board for bread or serving. If you cook every day, a set like the Deer & Oak Bamboo Double Pack gives you more flexibility.
Q: How long will a wooden chopping board last if I avoid raw chicken on it?
A: A quality wooden board that is used for vegetables and bread only, washed by hand and oiled every 2 to 3 months, can last 5 to 10 years or longer. Keeping raw chicken on a separate red board reduces staining and strong odours, which helps your wooden board stay in good condition.
Recommended boards and where to buy
To set up a safe system for raw chicken, start with a simple red plastic board that you keep only for raw meat. Then choose one or two wooden boards for everything else:
- Best all round prep board: Large Bamboo Board DNO-BCB-LG, 45x35cm, 1.8kg, Moso bamboo. Ideal as your main vegetable and bread board. Available in our online chopping board collection.
- Space saving option: Medium Bamboo Board DNO-BCB-MD, 38x28cm, 1.2kg, suited to smaller kitchens and everyday meals. You can also find similar boards in our bestsellers range.
- Two board solution: Bamboo Double Pack DNO-BCB-2PK, 45x35cm plus 38x28cm, 3.0kg total, for households that want clear separation between prep and serving. Available through our bamboo set on Amazon UK.
Pair any of these with a dedicated red raw chicken board and you will have a simple, reliable system that keeps raw poultry away from ready to eat food, without cluttering your kitchen.