Download Article
The best ways to safely thaw frozen thighs, breasts, or whole birds
Download Article
Defrosting chicken is easy no matter how much time you have to prepare. As long as you keep it out of the “Danger Zone” (40-140°F (4-60°C)), each method is safe, too! In this article, we’ll walk you through the best ways to defrost everything from chicken breasts to whole birds quickly. If you’re ready to get cookin’, read on!
This article is based on an interview with our private chef and food educator, Ollie George Cigliano, owner of Ollie George Cooks. Check out the full interview here.
Things You Should Know
- Place unwrapped frozen chicken in the microwave and warm on the “defrost” setting for 2 minutes. Continue defrosting in 1-minute intervals until thawed.
- Or, place your chicken in a plastic bag and sit it in a bowl of cold water for up to 3 hours or so. Refresh the cold water every 30 minutes.
- Or, to use the refrigerator, place your frozen chicken on a paper towel-lined plate or bowl covered in plastic wrap at least 12-24 hours before cooking.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Defrosting Chicken in the Microwave
Download Article
-
Use the microwave if you plan to cook the chicken immediately. Microwaving frozen chicken leads to uneven thawing (some parts of the outside may even begin to cook in the microwave), which can affect the texture, moisture, and taste of the chicken later. It also warms the chicken into the “Danger Zone,” making bacteria growth more likely. [1] X Research source
- The microwave is best for boneless, skinless chicken breasts since they’re more likely to thaw evenly compared to other cuts or whole chickens. [2] X Research source
-
Unwrap your chicken and place it on a microwave-safe dish. Remove any plastic wrap or packaging before microwaving. If possible, use a bowl or a plate with raised edges so that no juice leaks while the chicken defrosts. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
-
Microwave the chicken on “defrost” for 2 minutes to start. After 2 minutes have passed, let the chicken sit for 1 minute and then check to see if it has thawed. If not, continue to defrost in 1-minute intervals until the chicken is thawed all the way through. [4] X Research source
- Be careful to follow your microwave's specific instructions and power levels to make sure that the chicken does not start to cook.
- If your microwave doesn’t have a defrost setting or you’re not sure how much power to use, set the power to 20%. [5] X Research source
- Depending on the thickness of the chicken and your particular microwave, this method may take up to 10 minutes.
-
Cook your chicken immediately after microwaving. Since microwaving may partially cook and unevenly warm your chicken, bacteria is a concern. Plan to cook your chicken right away once it’s thawed to kill any germs that may have gathered while defrosting. [6] X Trustworthy Source Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Go to source
- Do not refrigerate or freeze your microwave-thawed chicken until you’ve cooked it.
Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:
Defrosting Chicken in Cold Water
Download Article
-
Seal your chicken in a plastic freezer bag if it’s not already wrapped. The leak-proof bag will keep bacteria from contaminating the chicken during the thawing process, as well prevent the chicken’s bacteria from contaminating the surfaces around it. If the chicken is still in its original packaging, use that. [7] X Research source- Do not use the chicken’s original packaging if it’s been torn or damaged in any way.
- Cold water thaws chicken faster than the refrigerator, but requires more of your attention throughout the process.
- A pound (455 g) of chicken may take an hour or less to thaw, while a 3-4 pound (1.4-1.8 kg) package may take 2-3 hours. A whole chicken takes about 30 minutes per pound (455 g). [8] X Trustworthy Source Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Go to source
-
Place the bagged chicken in a bowl full of cold water. Make sure that the bowl is large enough for the chicken to be fully submerged in water. Do not use warm or hot water—this brings the chicken into the “Danger Zone” and may encourage bacteria growth.
- If you’re thawing a whole chicken, use your kitchen sink if you can’t find a bowl large enough to hold it.
-
Change the water every 30 minutes to keep the chicken at a safe temp. When the water is allowed to warm up, the chicken may enter the “Danger Zone” while it thaws, resulting in bacteria growth. Empty and refresh the cold water about every half hour to keep the chicken thawing at a safe rate. [9] X Trustworthy Source Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Go to source
- If you’re unavailable to change the water every 30 minutes, ask a family member or someone who will be around to change out the water for you.
- Alternatively, place the bagged chicken in the sink and allow cold water to run over it until defrosted. However, this method wastes a lot of water and doesn’t shave much time or effort off of letting the chicken sit in cold water, so it may not be worth it.
-
Plan to cook all of the chicken right away once it’s thawed. [10] X Trustworthy Source Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Go to source There’s a slight chance that some bacteria may grow during the cold water thawing method if the chicken ever sits in the “Danger Zone” (for example, if you were late to change the cold water). To protect yourself, cook the chicken right away to kill any germs.
- Once the chicken is cooked, refrigerate or freeze it again for storage.
- Do not freeze or refrigerate raw chicken that has been thawed with the cold water method without cooking it first.
- If the plastic bag was damaged or punctured during thawing, make sure to thoroughly wash the bowl or sink and counters to kill any chicken germs that may have spread.
Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:
Defrosting Chicken in the Refrigerator
Download Article
-
Begin thawing your chicken at least 12 hours in advance of cooking. Using the refrigerator is the safest way to defrost your chicken because it keeps your meat out of the “Danger Zone” where bacteria can grow (40-140°F (4-60°C)), but it is the method that takes the longest. The exact amount of time it takes to defrost depends on the cut and weight of the chicken:
- Individual chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks typically take 12-24 hours to fully thaw. [11] X Research source
- A small whole chicken or clump of chicken frozen together that weighs under 5 lb (2.3 kg) will take about 24 hours. [12] X Research source
- Defrosting a whole chicken will take about 24 hours per 5 lb (2.3 kg) to fully thaw. [13] X Trustworthy Source Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Go to source
-
Remove your chicken from the freezer and place it in the fridge. Place the chicken on a plate or bowl lined with paper towels, covered in plastic wrap to catch any drippings as it thaws. To be extra cautious, place the chicken on the lowest shelf in the fridge so that any escaping juice doesn’t drip on and contaminate other food. [14] X Research source
-
Remove and cook your chicken once it’s fully thawed. Look for chicken that’s no longer covered in frost and is squishy to the touch. If you’re unsure, cut a small slit in the thickest part of the chicken and slip your fingertip inside—the flesh should be soft without any ice crystals.
- If you’re thawing a whole chicken, place your hand in the major cavity of the chicken. If there are ice crystals within the chicken, it needs to be defrosted longer.
-
Keep thawed chicken in the fridge if you’re not cooking it right away. Chicken that has been thawed in the refrigerator can safely stay there for 1-2 days. Store your thawed chicken in the coldest part of your refrigerator (typically the back of the lowest shelf). This will keep your chicken bacteria-free for a longer amount of time. [15] X Research source
- Uncooked chicken can only be refrozen if it’s been thawed in the refrigerator. Do not refreeze uncooked chicken after thawing with any other method. [16] X Research source
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionCan frozen chicken be steamed?Community AnswerYes. Place parchment paper or cabbage underneath to hold in moisture for the chicken. Add fresh citrus juices like lemon to keep the chicken from becoming dry.
-
QuestionIs it not okay to defrost chicken breasts in the microwave and store them overnight for cooking later?Community AnswerNo. It will be in the danger zone. Cook it immediately after defrosting and THEN store in the fridge.
-
QuestionWhat is the longest period of time chicken can be thawed on the counter?Community AnswerTime is not important, temperature is! Chicken, like other meat, should be kept at 42 degrees or less. Note that none of the above methods includes defrosting chicken at room temperature. Use an IR thermometer to check surface temps. Additionally, defrosting in the fridge should be done in an airtight container as shown in Step 4, not nearly touching the eggs as in the photo above it. If you decide to defrost on the counter, use a large enough container.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- The lower the temperature at which your chicken defrosts, the less likely it is that dangerous bacteria will grow in the chicken.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
-
Thanks
- Never defrost chicken at room temperature on your kitchen counter. If you leave your chicken at room temperature for too long, there is a high risk of bacterial growth.Thanks
- Do not rinse chicken before cooking, since this will spread germs from the raw meat around your sink and counters.Thanks
Advertisement
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about defrosting chicken, check out our in-depth interview with Ollie George Cigliano .
References
- ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/defrost-a-frozen-chicken-every-time-how-to-safely
- ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-defrost-chicken
- ↑ https://www.readersdigest.ca/food/cooking-tips/how-to-defrost-frozen-chicken/
- ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-defrost-chicken
- ↑ https://www.readersdigest.ca/food/cooking-tips/how-to-defrost-frozen-chicken/
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods
- ↑ https://www.readersdigest.ca/food/cooking-tips/how-to-defrost-frozen-chicken/
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods
- ↑ https://www.readersdigest.ca/food/cooking-tips/how-to-defrost-frozen-chicken/
- ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-defrost-chicken
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods
- ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/defrost-a-frozen-chicken-every-time-how-to-safely
- ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-meat-and-poultry-remain-in-the-refrigerator-once-thawed
- ↑ https://food.unl.edu/article/it-safe-refreeze-raw-meat-and-poultry-has-thawed
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods
- ↑ https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/safe-minimum-internal-temperatures
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To quickly defrost a chicken, unwrap it and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chicken for 2 minutes on the defrost setting. Let the chicken stand for 1 minute and check it. Repeat if necessary, but make sure the chicken doesn’t start to cook. Once it’s defrosted, cook your chicken right away. To thaw in the refrigerator, simply place your wrapped chicken in the front, bottom shelf of your refrigerator and let it defrost, allowing for 5 hours for every pound (450 g). Store your refrigerator-thawed chicken in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,990,235 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "This was really helpful. I had to spend the day at the hospital with my father-in-law and didn't take anything out for dinner, so when I got home I just grabbed my chicken and thawed it. I had dinner ready within two hours with only an hour to defrost. Thank you." ..." more
Advertisement
"This was really helpful. I had to spend the day at the hospital with my father-in-law and didn't take anything out for dinner, so when I got home I just grabbed my chicken and thawed it. I had dinner ready within two hours with only an hour to defrost. Thank you."
..."
more
"I love to cook, and was just looking for any new tips and ideas I have not broiled chicken before. Thank you for your easy to follow tips and directions, I am making broiled chicken Thighs, with a Honey BBQ. Again, thank you."
..."
more
"The information about not defrosting at room temperature was something I had not ever heard of before. I was going to do it that way but went with the water defrosting method because of this article."
..."
more
"I was going to defrost my whole chicken in the microwave. Thanks to this site, I was able to make a better choice and thaw it in the sink with enough time! Thanks."
..."
more
"Tips for keeping the chicken free of bacteria. Variety of cooking methods. Clarity of instructions."
