To defrost a chicken that you have purchased already cooked or that you have cooked yourself and then frozen, you need to take a few, simple and quick steps that will ensure that you reheat it correctly without running any health risks. You can let it defrost slowly in the refrigerator, soak it in cold water or use the microwave, depending on the time you have available and the result you want to achieve. Of course, using the microwave oven can save you time, but the long defrosting process in the refrigerator guarantees the best result in terms of taste and texture.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Leave the Chicken to Thaw in the Refrigerator
Step 1. Remove the chicken from the package
Take it out of the freezer and remove the wrapper that wraps it. Try not to keep it exposed to the air for long. If you were to accidentally leave it at room temperature for more than an hour, you'd be forced to throw it away and buy another one.
- Put the packaged chicken in the sink to avoid soiling the kitchen counter with the meat juices, then break the wrapping with scissors.
- The higher the temperature, the faster bacteria can form on the meat. If the weather is hot, be sure to put the chicken back in the refrigerator immediately after taking it out of the wrapper.
Step 2. Place the chicken on a plate or pan
If there is ice, it will melt during the defrosting phase, and the meat may lose some of its juices; that is why it is important to place the chicken in a pan or on a plate with high sides. This way, you will avoid dirtying the refrigerator and other foods.
- Clean the plate or pan well before and after use.
- If the chicken is cut into small pieces, you can use a bowl.
Step 3. Let the chicken defrost in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours
Calculate 24 hours of time for every 2.5 kilos of weight. You can leave the chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before reheating or re-freezing it without risking your health.
- Place the plate with the chicken on the lowest shelf of the refrigerator. In this way, if the juices of the meat should escape from the plate, they will not risk contaminating the rest of the food in the fridge.
- Pay attention to the temperature of the refrigerator. While it's true that chicken will defrost faster at a higher temperature, you need to make sure it stays close to 4 ° C.
- You will know that the chicken is completely thawed when all the ice crystals have melted and the meat is soft to the touch.
Method 2 of 3: Allow the Chicken to Thaw in Cold Water
Step 1. Place the chicken in a waterproof bag
If the original packaging is leaking, transfer it to a resealable bag. Most resealable food bags are waterproof, but as a precaution it is best to leave the zip out of the water.
- Put the resealable bag inside a common bag if you are concerned that water will penetrate and damage the meat. Wrap it around it and secure it with a rubber band.
- If water gets into the bag, it could contaminate the meat, which could also absorb it and acquire an unpleasant texture.
Step 2. Cover the bag with cold water
Fill a deep saucepan with cold water and place the wrapped chicken in it. Check carefully that water cannot penetrate and wet the meat. If not, immediately remove the bag from the pot and close it better.
- Filling the sink with cold water and putting chicken in it could be a convenient alternative. When the chicken has thawed, just empty the sink and give it a quick clean.
- Make sure the chicken is completely submerged, as if any parts remain out of the water they could become contaminated with bacteria more easily.
Step 3. Change the water every 30 minutes until the chicken is completely thawed
Every half hour, empty and then refill the pot with cold sink water. It will take about 30 minutes per 500g of weight to defrost the chicken.
- For example, a 900g chicken should thaw in less than an hour, while a 2.5kg chicken should thaw in about 2-3 hours.
- If there are ice crystals on the meat, it means that you need to let it defrost for a longer time.
Method 3 of 3: Defrost the Chicken in the Microwave
Step 1. Remove the chicken from the package
Remove any wrapping before putting the chicken in the microwave. Do not leave it at room temperature after discarding it. If you are preparing other dishes, take a break to make sure you defrost it properly.
Not all plastic is suitable for use in the microwave, so make sure you have removed all parts of the wrapper to prevent them from melting and spoiling the meat
Step 2. Transfer the chicken to a microwave-safe dish
Be careful as the ice crystals may have wet the meat, which may then drip. If you are not sure whether the selected dish can be used in the microwave, you can find out by reading this article.
If there are still ice crystals on the chicken, it is best to use a deep plate or a baking dish to catch the water produced by defrosting
Step 3. Set the microwave to the lowest power available and thaw the chicken
It will take about 6-8 minutes for every 500g of weight. As soon as the chicken has thawed, heat it to a high temperature using the microwave, stove or oven.
- Touch the chicken with your finger every few minutes to see if it has defrosted. To be safe, let the meat cool for at least a minute before touching it. It should be soft when thawed and there should be no more ice crystals.
- If you don't intend to eat all of the chicken, freeze the excess parts immediately to avoid bacterial contamination.
