If you're in a hurry, you probably can't wait for the chicken to thaw. Thankfully, you can save time and cook it safely despite being frozen. If you have to prepare a meal for several people, you can roast a whole frozen chicken, while for a small meal you can prepare the chicken breast or leg in the oven. Regardless of the quantities, it is important to always follow precise guidelines to cook meat safely and accurately, in order to prevent food-borne diseases.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Roasting a Frozen Whole Chicken
Step 1. Cook frozen chicken with extreme caution, as it carries a greater risk of contracting food-borne diseases
To get rid of any pathogens, be sure to cook the meat to reach an internal temperature of at least 74 ° C. Always cook it in the oven or on the stove and, as a general rule, extend the cooking time by calculating an additional 50% compared to the meat that has been defrosted.
- For example, to roast a defrosted 2.5kg chicken at 180 ° C, it takes about 2 hours. If a similarly sized chicken is frozen, it takes about 3 hours for it to cook evenly at the same temperature.
- Check the internal temperature of the meat by inserting a special thermometer in the thickest point of the breast, but also in the innermost point of the thigh and wing. If it hasn't reached a temperature of 74 ° C, continue to cook it.
- Do not try to cook frozen chicken in a slow cooker, which does not heat up enough to eliminate pathogens from the meat. Furthermore, the meat remains exposed for too long to an inadvisable temperature.
Step 2. Preheat the oven to 180 ° C
While it heats up, place the frozen chicken in a large roasting pan with the breast facing up to make sure the thickest part of the meat cooks well.
You can also use a Dutch oven instead of a roasting pan, the choice depends on the size of the chicken
Step 3. Season the chicken
If possible, try to remove the giblets. Then, stuff it with your favorite ingredients, like lemon, onion, rosemary, and thyme. Rub olive oil on the outer surface, then add salt and pepper.
If you can't remove the giblets, let it cook for about 45 minutes before trying. Remove them using tongs and an oven mitt, then stuff the chicken as you wish
Step 4. Place the chicken in the oven uncovered and cook for about 90 minutes, then raise the oven temperature to about 230 ° C and allow another 15-30 minutes of cooking to brown it
Once it reaches an internal temperature of 74 ° C, take it out of the oven.
- These cooking times have been calculated for a chicken of about 2 kg. Make sure you change them based on weight.
- Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting it.
- If there are any raw areas, re-bake the whole chicken or the parts that have not cooked until the meat has turned white and the liquid that drips out has become transparent.
Method 2 of 3: Prepare Frozen Breaded Slices
Step 1. Freeze the slices individually
Once you have bought the chicken breast, put the slices in a bag separating them with plastic sheets or laying them horizontally, otherwise it will be difficult to detach them and you will have to wait for them to defrost.
- You can also lay them on a plate or tray in a single layer, and then put them in a bag.
- This method is practical for freezing individual parts.
Step 2. Preheat the oven to about 220 ° C
While it heats up, lightly grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil (such as olive oil) or fat. Place 4 boneless, skinless chicken slices on the baking sheet.
If the slices are not breaded, preheat the oven to 180 ° C
Step 3. Bread the chicken breast
While the oven heats up, mix 115 g of breadcrumbs, half a teaspoon (3 g) of salt, a pinch of black pepper, a pinch of garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of cooking oil. Pour about 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of mustard onto the surface of the frozen slices, then sprinkle the breadcrumbs making sure it adheres well to the sauce.
Step 4. Bake the chicken breast and let it cook for 30-40 minutes
Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast to make sure it is cooked well. If the temperature is below 74 ° C or the meat is raw, put it back in the oven and cook until it is white and the runny liquid is clear.
If you cook 4 x 30g slices without breading them, you should cook them at 180 ° C for 30-45 minutes. However, it is important to remember that cooking times depend on the size of the chicken breast
Method 3 of 3: Bake Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Oven
Step 1. Season the chicken legs before storing them in the freezer
Since it is difficult to get seasonings to stick to frozen chicken legs, it is best to prepare them before placing them in the freezer, by coating them with your favorite ingredients or spice mix. In this way they will adhere well to the meat, therefore, once removed from the freezer, you can bake it directly,
This method is very practical for seasoning individual parts before freezing them
Step 2. Preheat the oven to 180 ° C
While it heats up, take the chicken legs out of the freezer and spread them out on a baking sheet. You can also add diced or sliced vegetables and greens, such as carrots, onions, or potatoes, to make a side dish.
Step 3. Bake the chicken legs for 50-60 minutes
At this point, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken to make sure it is well cooked. If the temperature is below 74 ° C or the meat is still raw, bake it again and let it cook until it turns white and the juice that drips out has become transparent.
