ABSTRACT: Contamination levels (cfu/g and cfu/cm2) of indicator microorganisms in retail broiler chicken carcasses in León (Spain) were investigated. Counts (log10 cfu/g) were 5.19, 3.04, 2.73, 3.38, and 3.16 for total aerobic counts (TAC), Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms determined by the standard VRBA method (coliforms‐VRBA), coliforms determined by the Hydrophobic Grid Membrane Filter method (coliforms‐HGMF), and Escherichia coli (HGMF method), respectively. These values fit into the microbiological criteria for poultry meat consulted. A low correlation coefficient was found between TAC and Enterobacteriaceae counts (r = 0.308; P = 0.053) and between coliforms‐VRBA and coliforms‐HGMF counts (r = 0.398; P= 0.048). The determination method had a significant influence on the coliform counts obtained. All broiler chicken carcasses harbored E. coli biotype I. E. coli biotype II was detected in 20% of the samples. The HGMF method was not completely specific for detecting E. coli since 11.25% of false positive colonies were found.