What is the best way to thaw chicken for use tonight? [duplicate]

I bought some frozen, boneless chicken breasts that I wanted to cook tonight. Should I leave in the package and immerse it in hot water, or should I thaw it in the microwave (in or out of the package)?

chicken

Best Answer

There are four approved ways to thaw food:

In the microwave
Under cool running water
In a refrigerator
As part of the cooking process

Of course, these methods are chosen for safety, not how they affect the product. Depending on your chicken, you may want to use only the cool running water method, as it is least likely to scotch the outside, while still being relatively fast.

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What is the best method for defrosting chicken?

The USDA suggests you always thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator, microwave, or a sealed bag submerged in cold water. Chicken should always be cooked immediately after thawing. Bacteria is more likely to grow on raw meat that's between 40\u02daF (4\u02daC) and 140\u02daF (60\u02da C).

How can I defrost chicken quickly and safely?

How to Thaw Chicken Breasts Safely and Quickly

Run hot tap water into a bowl.

Check the temp with a thermometer. You're looking for 140 degrees F.

Submerge the frozen chicken breast.

Stir the water every once in a while (this keeps pockets of cold water from forming).

It should be thawed in 30 minutes or less.

What are two methods for thawing frozen chicken?

There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave.

Whats the fastest you can defrost chicken?

Depending on which method you use, chicken can take anywhere from 2 days to 30 minutes to thaw. The refrigerator method can take up to 2 days, depending on how many lbs of frozen chicken breast you have. The cold water method takes up to 1 hour per pound.

How to Defrost Meat Quickly \u0026 Safely

More answers regarding what is the best way to thaw chicken for use tonight? [duplicate]

Answer 2

Are you cutting up the breasts for your application, or keeping them whole? I ask because boneless chicken breasts (as well as just about everything else) are easier to slice cleanly if they're a bit (but not completely) frozen.

How much time do you have between "I have hard frozen chicken breasts" to "I want to start cooking"? If it's morning where you are and you want to cook tonight, just throw them (still in the package) into the fridge. If they're not completely defrosted (and you want to keep them whole) when you're ready to cook, just run under cold water (still in the package, just for convenience sake) for a bit. It won't take long, once you can easily separate individual breasts, just a couple of more minutes separate and out of the package under cold water will give you a product ready to go.

Whatever you are doing, there is no harm in the very center of the breasts still having a bit of a frozen chill when you start. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are notorious for drying out (becoming overcooked) before the surface reaches a nice brown. A slight frozen chill at the center is a good thing.

Answer 3

Fill your kitchen sink with hot water, put the amount of chicken you will use in a plastic Ziploc bag, put the bag in the water, and wait.

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