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#growinguphispanic Forget to Take the Chicken Out the Freezer

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Defrosting chicken is easy, but it must be done the right way to prevent harmful bacterial growth. The best way to defrost a chicken largely depends on how soon you plan to cook it. The safest but slowest option is to thaw it in the refrigerator, but if you need to defrost chicken fast, you can use cold water or the microwave.

  1. 1

    Remove your frozen chicken from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator. This is the safest way to thaw your chicken, however it does take longer than other methods.

    • Place your chicken at the front of the bottom shelf while it defrosts to prevent excess juices from getting on other food in the refrigerator. If your chicken has already been unwrapped, place it in a pan or bowl so that the juices do not leak.[1]

  2. 2

    Keep an eye on the time. The standard rule says that 1 pound (450 g) of chicken takes 5 hours to defrost in a refrigerator.[2]

    • Keep in mind that thawing a whole chicken in the refrigerator can take more than 24 hours. Plan accordingly.[3]

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  3. 3

    Remove your chicken from the refrigerator when it is thawed. The chicken will no longer be covered in frost and will be squishy to the touch.

    • Check to see if your whole chicken is defrosted by placing your hand in the major cavity of the chicken. If there are ice crystals within the chicken, it needs to be defrosted for a longer period of time.

  4. 4

    Store your thawed chicken in the refrigerator. Chicken that has been thawed can be safely stored in the fridge for 1-2 days. Once a chicken has been thawed it should not be refrozen.

    • Store your thawed chicken in the coldest part of your refrigerator. This will keep your chicken bacteria-free for a longer amount of time.[4]

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  1. 1

    Put your chicken in a Ziploc bag if it is not already wrapped. The Ziploc bag will keep bacteria from contaminating the chicken during the thawing process. It will also prevent bacteria from contaminating the sink.[5]

  2. 2

    Find a bowl that can hold all of the chicken. Make sure that the bowl is large enough for the chicken to be fully submerged in water.

  3. 3

    Place the Ziploc-ed chicken in the bowl and fill the bowl with cold water. Make sure that the top of the chicken is covered.

    • Do not use hot water. Hot water will promote bacterial growth.[6]

  4. 4

    Change the water every 30 minutes. A pound of chicken will be thawed in roughly an hour by using this method.[7]

    • If you are thawing a whole chicken, be prepared for it to take a bit longer. If your chicken is 3 pounds, it should be thawed for 3 or more hours.

  5. 5

    Cook all of the chicken before storing it back in the refrigerator. Raw chicken thawed using this method cannot be stored again while it is still raw.[8]

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  1. 1

    Unwrap your pieces of chicken. Place them in a microwave-safe bowl so that juices do not leak while the chicken is being thawed.

  2. 2

    Keep in mind that microwaving your chicken could place your chicken in the 'Danger Zone'. This means that if defrosted for too long, your chicken will become warm, thus becoming more open to bacterial growth.[9]

    • Generally try to avoid defrosting a whole chicken in the microwave because there is more chance for your whole chicken to enter the 'Danger Zone'. Microwaving a whole chicken also takes away from the nutritious and tasty aspects of the chicken.

  3. 3

    Place your bowl in the microwave. Set the microwave to defrost. If you do not know how long you should defrost your specific amount of chicken for, defrost the meat for 2 minutes. Let stand for 1 minute and then check the progress.[10]

    • Make sure that the chicken does not start to cook.

  4. 4

    Cook your chicken immediately. You must cook all chicken defrosted in this method before storing it back in the refrigerator.[11]

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Add New Question

  • Question

    Can frozen chicken be steamed?

    Community Answer

    Yes. Place parchment paper or cabbage underneath to hold in moisture for the chicken. Add fresh citrus juices like lemon to keep the chicken from becoming dry.

  • Question

    Is it not okay to defrost chicken breasts in the microwave and store them overnight for cooking later?

    Community Answer

    No. It will be in the danger zone. Cook it immediately after defrosting and THEN store in the fridge.

  • Question

    What is the longest period of time chicken can be thawed on the counter?

    Community Answer

    Time is not important, temperature is! Chicken, like other meat, should be kept at 42 degrees or less. Note that none of the above methods includes defrosting chicken at room temperature. Use an IR thermometer to check surface temps. Additionally, defrosting in the fridge should be done in an airtight container as shown in Step 4, not nearly touching the eggs as in the photo above it. If you decide to defrost on the counter, use a large enough container.

  • Question

    Can I put chicken back in the fridge after defrosting it?

    Community Answer

    Yes, as long as it didn't reach room temperature and you sealed it in an airtight container.

  • Question

    Is it okay to thaw chicken on the counter for a short time?

    Community Answer

    Yes, however chicken may be dangerous when mixed with other substances. Put it in a bowl and cover it with a plate. Or prepare in advance and put it in the fridge, this will take longer but is safer.

  • Question

    Can I cook frozen chicken?

    Community Answer

    Yes, you can, but it will take a lot longer to cook. This is best with parts like breast or legs, not a whole chicken, because to get the interior to a safe temperature with a whole chicken, you will end up with dry overcooked breasts and legs. Invest in a good temperature probe, not a supermarket cheapie.

  • Question

    How long does defrosted chicken last?

    Community Answer

    For 1-2 days. Smell is a key factor. Keep it in an air tight container so the juices don't leak. Keep it at 41 degrees or lower and at the lowest shelf. Always cook chicken to 165 degrees.

  • Question

    Can I get my chicken chunks out the freezer to defrost for tonight?

    Community Answer

    Take the chicken chunks out of the freezer and put them in the fridge to defrost, well ahead of the time needed. Never let the chicken defrost at room temperature, as this can increase the chances of bacterial growth.

  • Question

    Do I need to put the chicken back in the refrigerator after putting it in a bowl of cold water to defrost?

    Community Answer

    Yes. The chicken should be in a sealed bag when being thawed. Rinse the chicken, place it on a cutting board, then wash your hands. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, place it in an air tight container, then wash your hands. Then put the lid on the container. Keep it on the lowest shelf. It will be good for 1-2 days after being thawed.

  • Question

    How can I remove excess water from chicken after the chicken is defrosted before frying?

    Community Answer

    After defrosting, line a plate with paper towels and use more paper towels to pat the chicken dry. Flip the chicken over and pat dry the other side as well, discarding the paper towels and replacing them as they become wet.

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  • The lower the temperature at which your chicken defrosts, the less likely it is that dangerous bacteria will grow in the chicken.

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  • Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling raw chicken.

  • Avoid defrosting chicken at room temperature on your kitchen counters because if you leave your chicken at room temperature for too long there is a high risk of bacterial growth.

  • Whole chickens do not thaw well in the microwave. You can still use this method for a whole chicken but there is a higher risk of bacterial growth.

  • Keep the kitchen sanitary so you do not contaminate the chicken.

  • Make sure to cook it before you eat it so the harmful bacteria will get killed.

  • Be sure not to rinse the chicken before cooking because of risk of bacteria transfer as outlined in latest health guidelines.

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About This Article

Article SummaryX

To quickly defrost a chicken, unwrap it and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chicken for 2 minutes on the defrost setting. Let the chicken stand for 1 minute and check it. Repeat if necessary, but make sure the chicken doesn't start to cook. Once it's defrosted, cook your chicken right away. To thaw in the refrigerator, simply place your wrapped chicken in the front, bottom shelf of your refrigerator and let it defrost, allowing for 5 hours for every pound (450 g). Store your refrigerator-thawed chicken in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

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#growinguphispanic Forget to Take the Chicken Out the Freezer

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Defrost-Chicken

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