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It is better to thaw the chicken before cooking it. You can do this safely in the refrigerator, microwave or with cold water.
It's almost dinner time and the chicken is still in the freezer.Food Safetyoften an afterthought in these situations, in part because people don't take foodborne illness seriously until they are the ones suffering.
Foodborne diseasesis serious and possibly fatal: round3,000 Americans diefrom that every year, FoodSafety.gov estimates.
Learning how to properly thaw chicken takes just a few moments. It not only makes your meal taste better, but also makes you feel good after eating it.
Foodborne illnesses are dangerous, and chicken can absolutely make you sick if you don't handle it properly. According toUS Department of Agriculture (USDA), the bacterial strains most likely to occur on raw chicken are:
They are bacteria that can, at best, make you sick. At worst, they could kill you. Proper defrosting methods and cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) will greatly reduce your risks.
Absolute:
- Do not thaw meat on your counter. Bacteria thrive at room temperature.
- Do not rinse the chicken under running water. This can introduce germs into your kitchen, which can lead to cross-contamination.
There are three safe ways to thaw chicken, according toUSDA. One method skips defrosting altogether.
Use the microwave
This is the fastest method, but remember: chicken should be cooked immediately after thawing using amagnetron. That's because microwaves heat poultry to a temperature between 4.4 and 60ºC (40 to 140ºC), where bacteria thrive. Only cooking the chicken to the right temperature will kill the potentially dangerous bacteria.
Use cold water
This should take two to three hours. How to use this method:
- Place the chicken in a tight plastic bag. This prevents the water from damaging the meat tissue and bacteria from infecting the food.
- Fill a large bowl or your kitchen sink with cold water. Submerge the wrapped chicken.
- Change the water every 30 minutes.
Use a refrigerator
This method requires the most preparation, but is the most recommended. Chicken usually takes a whole day to thaw, so plan your meals in advance. Once the poultry has been thawed, it can be left in the refrigerator for a day or two before cooking.
Do not thaw at all!
According toUSDA, it is absolutely safe to cook chicken without defrosting it in the oven or on the stove. The disadvantage? It will take a little longer – usually about 50 percent.
The USDA recommends cooking frozen chicken in a slow cooker. It is recommended to thaw the chicken first and then cook it all at oncecooking potcan be a good way to prepare a tasty meal. Start it early in the day and it will be ready to eat by noon.
Correct handling of poultry meatwill decreaserisk of foodborne illnessfor you and your family. Get used to itplanning your meals24 hours in advance and you will have no problem ensuring your poultry is ready to cook at that timedinner timespinning around.