What is the ideal holding temperature for chicken in a hot holding scenario?

The ideal holding temperature for chicken in a hot holding scenario is 140°F and above. Maintaining this temperature is crucial for food safety, as it helps to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. The USDA guidelines recommend keeping cooked foods, including chicken, at a minimum temperature of 140°F to ensure they remain safe to eat while being held for service.

Holding chicken at this temperature ensures that it remains both safe and of good quality for customers, preventing issues such as temperature abuse which can lead to spoilage and safety hazards. Though temperatures like 160°F and 155°F are still above the safe threshold, 140°F is the minimum standard for hot holding, making it the correct choice.

Thus, while it is important to keep chicken above 140°F to ensure food safety, those lower temperatures listed in the other options are not suitable for hot holding as they do not meet the minimum standards required to prevent bacterial growth effectively.