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. Cooking chicken from frozen could leave you with an outside that’s cooked and a centre that may not be, which means it could contain harmful bacteria.
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 chicken stays frozen on the inside while the outside thaws first. This makes cooking wrong because the outside might be dry and overdone while the inside stays underdone. Chicken that isn’t fully cooked can have bacteria that are bad for you and make you sick. 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. You must be particularly vigilant when defrosting in the microwave, as leaving it in there for too long, or on the wrong setting, can make the chicken 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.
It’s important not to leave the chicken in the microwave for too long, because you don’t want it to start cooking. 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 youve defrosted your chicken safely, use it to make a range of recipes including chicken stir-fries, chicken traybakes, 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. The microwave is the quickest option, defrosting small cuts in minutes and a whole chicken in 10-15 minutes, though it may start cooking in some areas, so make sure to cook it immediately after thawing.
How long does it take to thaw chicken breast in water?
Thawing chicken breasts in cold water is a relatively quick method, typically taking 1 to 2 hours for a 1-pound package. Larger packages or whole chickens may take two to three hours longer and need to have their water changed more often.