Chicken is a delicious, very versatile food and, above all, it is one of the healthiest and healthiest sources of animal protein. Defrosting and cooking a chicken is a very simple procedure, which must however be done in the correct way, let's see how to do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: In the Refrigerator
Step 1. Take the chicken out of the freezer and put it in the refrigerator
This is the safest and most natural way to defrost meat, even if it takes a long time.
Place the chicken on the lowest shelf of the fridge to defrost it. This way the juices won't fall on other foods. Although chicken is usually well wrapped, it is still wise to put it on a plate or bowl to avoid any unpleasant spills
Step 2. Check it from time to time
The general rule is one hour for every pound of meat. So a 500g chicken needs 5 hours to defrost completely.
However, remember that if you are defrosting a whole chicken it will take more than 24 hours. So plan ahead
Step 3. Once thawed, remove it from the refrigerator
To find out if it is ready you need to check its soft consistency and there must be no more frost on the surface.
To check that it is perfectly thawed even inside, place a hand in the abdominal cavity. If you hear ice crystals, it needs more time
Step 4. Store thawed chicken in the refrigerator
You can confidently do this for 1-2 days. Once defrosted, do not refreeze it.
Store it on the coldest shelf in the fridge. This way you are sure to protect it from bacterial proliferation for longer
Method 2 of 3: Into the Water
Step 1. Place the chicken in an airtight bag (if not already packed)
In this way, the meat does not become contaminated during defrosting in the water.
Step 2. Find a bowl large enough to hold the chicken
You must also be able to completely cover it with water.
Step 3. Put the chicken in the bowl and add cold water
Make sure it is completely submerged.
Don't use hot water - it helps bacteria multiply
Step 4. Change the water every 30 minutes
It will take about an hour for a half-kilo chicken.
If you have to defrost a whole chicken, it will take more than three hours for 1.5 kg
Step 5. Cook all the meat before storing it in the refrigerator again
If you defrost it with this technique, you cannot keep it raw.
Method 3 of 3: In the Microwave
Step 1. Remove the chicken from the package
Put it in a bowl suitable for use in the microwave, to prevent the juices from getting dirty everywhere.
Step 2. Remember that this technique exposes the meat to 'bacterial danger'
If the chicken starts to heat up, the bacteria will start multiplying.
Try to avoid defrosting a whole chicken in the microwave because it takes too long, and you risk bacteria contaminating it. Furthermore, the microwave destroys the nutritional properties of the meat and alters its flavor
Step 3. Put the bowl in the microwave
Set it to the “defrost” function. If you don't know how long it will take, start with 2 minutes. Wait a minute and check the state of the meat.
Make sure the chicken doesn't start cooking
Step 4. Cook the chicken immediately
If you use the microwave to defrost it, you need to cook it immediately afterwards.
Advice
The lower the temperature to defrost the chicken, the safer you will be from bacterial growth
Warnings
- Do not defrost it at room temperature on the kitchen counter as it promotes the reproduction of bacteria.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw chicken.
- Whole chickens don't defrost well in the microwave. You can always try, but you put yourself at a high risk of bacterial infection.
