Defrosting chicken correctly is an important stage of food preparation. Find out how to thaw chicken breasts or thighs safely in the microwave, fridge or in water.
The defrosting of meat ensures even cooking. If you cook frozen chicken, the outside might be done but the middle might not be, which means it could have harmful bacteria on it.
Defrosting chicken breast can be a hassle, especially when you don’t have a microwave. However, there are several easy methods to defrost chicken breast quickly without using a microwave. In this article, we will share 6 simple techniques to defrost chicken breasts in a hurry
Why Defrost Chicken Before Cooking?
Cooking chicken from a frozen state is dangerous. The outside of the chicken thaws first while the inside remains frozen. This leads to improper cooking where the outside might be overcooked and dry while the inside remains undercooked. Undercooked chicken can contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning. So it’s important to properly defrost chicken before cooking.
Fridge: 12
Chicken: 24
Frozen: 8
Defrost: 16
Microwave: 5
Cook: 7
Thaw: 9
6 Ways to Defrost Chicken Breast Without a Microwave
1. Use Cold Water
2. Use Hot Water
- Place the frozen chicken in a bowl.
- Fill the bowl with hot tap water.
- Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Check frequently and change water if it starts to cool.
- Hot water defrosts chicken quicker than cold water.
- Cook immediately after thawing.
3. Defrost in the Refrigerator
- Place the frozen chicken breasts in a plate or shallow dish.
- Leave it in the fridge overnight or for at least 8 hours.
- Ensure chicken breasts are not stacked on top of each other.
- This gradual defrosting is safe but time-consuming.
- Cook the chicken within 1-2 days after thawing.
4. Use a Cold Brine
- Make a cold brine by mixing 1 cup salt with 4 cups cold water.
- Submerge the frozen chicken in the brine.
- Let it sit for 1-2 hours until thawed.
- Discard the brine after use.
- The salt helps thaw the chicken faster while keeping it juicy.
5. Cold Water plus a Plastic Bag
- Place the frozen chicken breasts in a ziplock bag.
- Submerge the bag in a bowl of cold tap water.
- Change water every 30 mins.
- The plastic bag keeps the meat from getting overly wet.
- Thaws faster than just cold water.
6. Use a Fan
- Place frozen chicken on a plate.
- Point a fan directly at it for 30-60 minutes until thawed.
- Flip over halfway for even defrosting.
- The constant airflow helps thaw it quickly.
- Ensure no cross-contamination with other foods.
Tips for Safe Defrosting
- Defrost chicken in the fridge if time permits for maximum safety.
- Avoid defrosting on the kitchen counter as the outer surface becomes unsafe.
- Cook immediately after thawing. Do not refreeze raw chicken once thawed.
- Do not defrost by leaving chicken breasts out at room temperature.
- When in doubt, defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
What To Do Once Chicken Is Thawed?
- Cook immediately and consume within 2 days.
- Chicken can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days once thawed.
- For longer storage, refreeze the thawed chicken breasts if they were thawed in the fridge and not via cold water.
- Refreezing thawed chicken via cold water is unsafe due to bacteria growth.
- When reheating thawed chicken, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Avoiding Cross-Contamination
- Use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw chicken.
- Wash hands, surfaces, and tools that have touched raw chicken with hot soapy water.
- Store chicken away from ready-to-eat foods in the fridge.
- Place chicken breasts in a clean bowl or dish while thawing.
These are six simple ways to quickly thaw chicken breasts without using a microwave. You can safely thaw frozen chicken in time for dinner if you plan ahead. Once it’s thawed, handle this protein the right way and cook it all the way through before serving. Enjoy your meals!.
How to defrost chicken in the microwave
A popular way to thaw chicken is using your microwave, its quick and easy. When defrosting chicken in the microwave, you need to be extra careful because if you leave it in there for too long or on the wrong setting, it could become unsafe to eat.
- One or two pieces of chicken at a time should be put on a microwave-safe plate. The defrost setting should be used for one minute at a time.
- Make sure to keep checking on the chicken to see if it has defrosted.
Be especially careful not to leave the chicken in the microwave for too long as you do not want the chicken to start to cook. Remember, when using this method, you must cook your chicken immediately after defrosting.
What’s the best way to defrost chicken?
There are a handful of foolproof ways to defrost chicken. If time is not a constraint, then you can leave it in the fridge overnight. Otherwise, thawing chicken in the microwave or by running it under cold water are both quicker options.
There are several safe ways to defrost chicken breasts and thighs instead of a whole bird. Just follow this simple guide.
Once the chicken is safely defrosted, you can use it in many recipes, such as chicken stir-fries, chicken tray bakes, chicken curries, and more. Check out our collection of chicken recipes for plenty of inspiration.
How to Defrost Chicken Quickly & Safely | Thaw Chicken Fast with MOMables
FAQ
How do you defrost chicken quickly without a microwave?
The fastest, safe way to thaw chicken without a microwave is using the cold water method. This involves submerging the chicken, sealed in a leak-proof bag, in cold water and changing the water every 30 minutes to maintain a safe temperature.
How do you defrost a chicken in 15 minutes?
Two ways: place in water under a tap and turn cold water on low, or use defrost cycle in microwave, or 30 percent power, making sure to reposition the chicken from top to bottom and side to side every three minutes. Using the microwave to thaw foods means you must immediately cook them.
What is the best and quickest way to defrost chicken breasts?
The cold water method takes less time; small cuts take one to two hours and a whole chicken takes three to four hours. Small cuts can be defrosted in minutes in the microwave, and a whole chicken can be defrosted in 10 to 15 minutes. However, it may start cooking in some places, so make sure to cook it right away after thawing.
How long does it take to thaw chicken breast in water?
It only takes about an hour to two hours for a one-pound package of chicken breasts to thaw in cold water. Larger packages or whole chickens may take two to three hours longer and need to have their water changed more often.