Sharp AbbeyRD, blogger and author of Mindful Glow Cookbooktells SELF that she prefers this method because it « requires the least fuss and attention » and « helps maintain texture and integrity without the chicken meat becoming waterlogged. »
The USDA and Dr. Tierno also agree that this method is the safest, as it eliminates the risk of your chicken entering the danger zone. It also means it’s the slowest, so you have to think a bit ahead of time. Although the exact amount of time required depends on factors such as the temperature your fridge is set to, where you put the chicken in the fridge, and the size of the chicken breasts, you can generally expect to allow at least a day , or even two, depending on the USDA. (So if you want to make chicken for dinner on Tuesday night, for example, you’ll want to transfer it from the freezer to the fridge on Sunday night or Monday.)
You have some leeway with the schedule, however. Once thawed, the chicken will stay good in the refrigerator for a day or two before cooking, depending on the USDA. And if dinner plans change during this time, it’s completely safe to put the chicken back in the freezer without cooking it. (More on that in a moment.)
How to thaw frozen chicken quickly?
If you’re wondering how to defrost chicken quickly, that’s a slightly different story. Of course, planning a day in advance is not always feasible. If you find yourself in a pinch of poultry, consider treating your chicken like an Olympic athlete and embracing cold water soaking. Fair warning, though: The cold water method requires “a lot of babysitting,” which is why Sharp says she only uses it sparingly.
This is what you do, as USDA states: First, leave the chicken in the airtight packaging it came in or put it in an airtight plastic bag. This prevents bacteria from the surrounding air or water from entering the meat. (And yes, that also means you shouldn’t wash the chicken, either.) Then, dunk it in cold tap water, which you should change every 30 minutes or so as the chicken thaws and cools. water is warming up. Set a timer on your phone if you know you might forget what you were doing.
The duration of the whole water bath depends on the temperature of the water and the amount of chicken. A pound of chicken breast can take an hour or less, while a whole three or four pound chicken will take two or three hours, the USDA said. Cook it as soon as it is thawed.
Can you defrost chicken in the microwave?
People often turn to the microwave when wondering how to defrost chicken as quickly as possible. But the microwave method barely makes the cut because while it’s quick, it can also be risky if not done right.
