This is how you thaw chicken safely (2024)

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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:

  1. Do not thaw meat on your counter. Bacteria thrive at room temperature.
  2. 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.

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Use cold water

This should take two to three hours. How to use this method:

  1. Place the chicken in a tight plastic bag. This prevents the water from damaging the meat tissue and bacteria from infecting the food.
  2. Fill a large bowl or your kitchen sink with cold water. Submerge the wrapped chicken.
  3. Change the water every 30 minutes.

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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.

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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.

This is how you thaw chicken safely (2024)

FAQs

This is how you thaw chicken safely? ›

The best and safest way to defrost chicken is to leave it in the fridge overnight. Unfortunately, this method is also the slowest and requires advance planning. The day before you plan to cook your chicken, transfer it from the freezer to the fridge to let it thaw slowly, for at least 24 hours.

What is the best way to safely thaw a chicken? ›

The best and safest way to defrost chicken is to leave it in the fridge overnight. Unfortunately, this method is also the slowest and requires advance planning. The day before you plan to cook your chicken, transfer it from the freezer to the fridge to let it thaw slowly, for at least 24 hours.

How safe is defrosted chicken? ›

Ground beef, stew meat, poultry, and seafood are good in the fridge for a day or two before you cook them. Red meat cuts like steaks and pork chops last 3 to 5 days. With any other safe defrosting method, you'll need to cook the food right away.

How should frozen poultry be thawed in Quizlet? ›

The wishbone is removed because it makes it easier to debone the rest of the chicken breast. It also allows even and precise slicing for service and frees up more room at the front for stuffing. how to thaw frozen poultry? The safest way to thaw frozen poultry is to put it in the refrigerator.

How should a worker thaw chicken? ›

The food worker should thaw the chicken. Thawing the chicken in the refrigerator prevents the possible growth of harmful microbes.

What is the best way to thaw meat? ›

The best way to thaw meat safely is to plan ahead. Defrost it overnight on a plate in the refrigerator. By the next day, you're ready to cook. Never keep meat at room temperature for more than two hours.

How should frozen poultry be thawed in ServSafe? ›

Thaw food in a cooler, keeping its temperature at 41℉ or lower. Submerge food under running water at 70℉ or lower. NEVER let the temperature of the food go above 41℉ or lower for longer than four hours.

Which method is safest for thawing meat and poultry? ›

There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. Foods thawed by the cold water method or in the microwave should be cooked immediately after thawing.

How should frozen poultry be thawed and why? ›

Keep Your chicken fresh, flavorful, and safe.

You can thaw by immersing packaged poultry in cold water, making sure to change the water every half hour. Defrost in the refrigerator, not on the counter, allowing a few hours to a full day, depending on size. A safe guideline is to allow five hours per pound.

How do you thaw frozen poultry according to food safety guidelines as required? ›

Defrost with care

Never defrost meat or poultry at room temperature on the bench top. The NSW Food Authority recommends 3 ways to defrost chicken and red meat - in the refrigerator, cold water or the microwave. It's best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator.

What is the thawing process? ›

Thawing is the process of taking a frozen product from frozen to a temperature (usually above 0°C) where there is no residual ice, i.e. “defrosting”. Thawing is often considered as simply the reversal of the freezing process. However, inherent in thawing is a major problem that does not occur in the freezing operation.

How do you thaw food safely? ›

Thaw meat and other foods in the bottom of the fridge whenever possible. If you need to thaw food immediately, this is best done in the microwave or, as a last resort, under cool running water (with the food wrapped or packaged). It is advised that you do not leave frozen food to thaw on a bench at room temperature.

Which thawing method should the worker use? ›

Thaw food in the refrigerator. This is the best method because it keeps food out of the danger zone, but it takes time. Plan for about 1 day for every 5 pounds of food. Cook the frozen food as part of the cooking process.

How long does it take to thaw a whole chicken? ›

Chicken thawing in the refrigerator should be wrapped and placed on a large plate in the bottom of the fridge to avoid dripping on other food when thawing. For this method, you should plan on approximately 10 hours per kilogram of chicken or 5 hours per pound.

What not to do when defrosting chicken? ›

However, as soon as they begin to thaw and become warmer than 40 °F, bacteria that may have been present before freezing can begin to multiply. Perishable foods should never be thawed on the counter, or in hot water and must not be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

Is thawing chicken in cold water safe? ›

It's not recommended to thaw chicken in cold water, as this method can result in bacterial growth and potential spoilage. However, if you must thaw chicken in cold water, it's important to change the water every 30 minutes and to keep the chicken in a leak-proof bag to prevent cross-contamination.

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