Can I freeze pre-cooked chicken?
I am looking for a way to precook chicken and preserve it for later use. The idea being that I precook the chicken (1 hour at 150 C) then freeze it, then when I need it, defrost and pop onto the flame grill, then baste and season. Secondary cooking/grilling will be around 10 minutes.
Issue would be freezer burn. So can I use a brine, or oil or something to stop freezer burn (if I can even do the rest of this)?
Best Answer
You can freeze cooked chicken. Freezer burn is dehydration...moisture loss in the freezer. Your best protection is good packaging. If you can vacuum seal your packages, that will be your best defense.
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Quick Answer about "Can I freeze pre-cooked chicken?"
You can freeze cooked chicken and turkey, too Put cooked chicken/turkey in an airtight container or wrap the food well in freezer bags, freezer wrap or cling film before freezing. Label it so that you remember what it is and when you froze it, then place in the freezer.Can you freeze and reheat cooked chicken?
You can freeze it once raw and once cooked. It is not a good idea to freeze cooked chicken, defrost it, reheat it and then freeze it again.What happens if you freeze cooked chicken?
When stored securely, raw chicken can be kept in the freezer for up to nine months. On the other hand, cooked chicken can spend four months in the freezer before it's past its flavor prime. Eating freezer-burned food won't hurt you, it just won't taste as good.How long can you freeze pre cooked chicken?
Cooked chicken will taste best if kept frozen up to 4 months; cooked poultry casseroles or pieces covered with broth or gravy, 6 months; and chicken nuggets or patties, 1 to 3 months.How do you pre cook chicken before freezing?
I'm in the habit of buying those, so that's what I use. I put the chicken, still frozen in a casserole dish, cover it tightly with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 \u2013 2 hours. Sometimes I put a little water on the chicken before covering it with foil. I do the same thing with chicken that has bones.How to Safely Freeze Cooked Meats | 1 Minute Tips | DJ BBQ
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Answer 2
You can do this, safely.
So long as it's cooked to safe temperature all the way through & then sealed in a bag/box you should be able to avoid freezer burn; which is moisture evaporating off the food due to the atmosphere in a freezer being technically 'dry'.
My worry would be overcooking at the reheat, not as a safety issue, just one of texture.
Legs & thighs tend to be better at surviving a long or double cook. Breast can get a bit stringy, dry & chewy. Skin on survives better than skinless for this.
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