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Best Way to Thaw Chicken

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Whether you’re planning a dinner party or creating a weeknight recipe, knowing the best way to thaw chicken will ensure that your meal is safe and delicious for everyone at the table. However, it can be challenging to determine the best method to thaw your poultry safely. Luckily, this article covers all you need to know about thawing chicken with ease and confidence. So let’s dive in!
Prep Time : 20 minutes
Total Time : 20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Author: Christina Hitchcock

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 1 whole chicken

Instructions
 

  • Fridge
    Place your chicken in a large sealed sandwich bag.
    Sit on a lipped plate or bowl to stop any juices leaking onto other food and spoiling it.
    Leave the plate at the bottom of the fridge for around 5 hours per pound, but ideally overnight.
  • Running Water
    Place your chicken in its original packaging in a large container or bowl in the sink, and let a constant stream of cold water run over it for 20 minutes.
    That should be just enough time to thaw your chicken if it's in pieces (chicken breasts, chicken thighs, and chicken tenders).
  • Microwave
    First, remove any packaging before placing it in a microwave-safe dish or container and covering the dish loosely.
    Use the defrosting setting on your microwave to defrost for two minutes at a time, checking the meat and turning or flipping it periodically to ensure even thawing.
    It takes about 2 minutes per pound to thaw in the microwave.

Christina's Notes

Expert Tips for Thawing Chicken

  • Tip 1: If you're planning on defrosting your chicken, the fridge method takes a day of planning so make the necessary steps you need to be ready for this method. It takes about 24 hours for your frozen chicken to defrost in the refrigerator. 
  • Tip 2: If defrosting a whole chicken under running water, make sure cold water goes inside so it will defrost from the exterior and the interior.
  • Tip 3: When microwaving, make sure you know the amount of chicken you're thawing since it will affect the time it needs in the microwave.

MY NOTES