Forgot to thaw the chicken breasts? Here's what you do.
Updated on September 12, 2022
When you're ready to make a delicious chicken dinner, yet your chicken breast is a frozen brick, follow these four simple steps to quickly thaw a boneless, skinless chicken breast in less than 30 minutes, so you can start cooking fast.
Now, conventional wisdom says that food must be thawed slowly. But food scientist Harold McGee found that short thawing times in hot water do not make the food less safe. Basically, it's because the chicken isn't in the temperature "danger zone" long enough to cause any problems.
Before we get to the bathing technique, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. Start with relatively thin chicken breasts. For quick thawing, you don't want anything more than an inch or so thick. Seal your boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a Ziploc bag (no waterlogged chicken allowed). Ok, we're ready. Let's thaw!
How to Thaw Chicken Breasts Safely and Quickly
Don't worry if the edges turn opaque. The hot water is mildly cooking the edges, but that doesn't affect the flavor a bit.
- Run hot tap water into a bowl.
- Check the temperature with a thermometer. You're looking for 140 degrees F.
- Submerge the frozen chicken breast.
- Stir the water every once in a while (this keeps pockets of cold water from forming).
- It should be thawed in 30 minutes or less.
Yes, this method works on other cuts of meat, too! Just make sure your steak or chop is 1-inch thick or thinner so it thaws quickly enough.
The defrosting of meat ensures even cooking. Cooking chicken from frozen could leave you with an outside that’s cooked and a centre that may not be, which means it could contain harmful bacteria.
What's the best way to defrost chicken?
There are a handful of foolproof ways to defrost chicken. If time is not a constraint, then you can leave it in the fridge overnight. Otherwise, thawing chicken in the microwave or by running it under cold water are both quicker options.
Follow this easy guide for a selection of safe methods that are based on defrosting chicken breasts and thighs as opposed to a whole bird.
Once you've defrosted your chicken safely, use it to make a range of recipes including chicken stir-fries, chicken traybakes, chicken curries and more. Check out our collection of chicken recipes for plenty of inspiration.
1. How to defrost chicken in the fridge
It may take a little longer but defrosting chicken in the fridge is the safest and most recommended method. Make sure you plan ahead if you wish to do this, keeping note of how long your chicken has been thawing.
- Place your chicken in a large sealed sandwich bag.
- Sit on a lipped plate or bowl to stop any juices leaking onto other food and spoiling it.
- Leave the plate at the bottom of the fridge for around 5 hours per 450g but ideally overnight.
Once defrosted using this method you can keep your chicken stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before using it.
2. How to defrost chicken quickly in water
Thawing chicken in cold water is the quickest method and simple to do. There are a few important steps to follow:
- Place your chicken in a sealed sandwich bag so that water cannot get in and contaminate the chicken.
- Place the bag in a very large mixing bowl or clean washing-up bowl.
- Fill the bowl with cold water and submerge the bag in it. Make sure the water is cold – using warm or hot water is unsafe and will promote bacteria growth on the poultry.
- Change the water every 30 mins.
Depending on how much chicken you are using, the chicken will defrost at different times. Around 500g of chicken will take about an hour to defrost, but do check your chicken and, if after this time, it hasn’t defrosted, continue with the method. Cook the chicken immediately after defrosting.
3. How to defrost chicken in the microwave
A popular way to thaw chicken is using your microwave, it's quick and easy. You must be particularly vigilant when defrosting in the microwave, as leaving it in there for too long, or on the wrong setting, can make the chicken unsafe to eat.
- Place the chicken on a microwavable plate (one or two pieces at a time) and use the defrost setting for one minute at a time.
- Make sure you keep checking the chicken to assess whether or not it has defrosted.
Be especially careful not to leave the chicken in the microwave for too long as you do not want the chicken to start to cook. Remember, when using this method, you must cook your chicken immediately after defrosting.
How to tell when chicken is properly defrosted
To check if your chicken is thoroughly defrosted, cut a small slit in the thickest part of the breast or thigh. Insert your finger – the flesh should be soft and no ice crystals should remain. If you feel ice crystals or the flesh is solid you will need to continue defrosting.
More like thisCan you refreeze defrosted chicken?
If you have defrosted chicken in the fridge, then it is safe to refreeze it again within 1-2 days after thawing. However, this may compromise the quality of the chicken.
If it was defrosted using the microwave or in cold water then it must be cooked immediately and not refrozen.
More frozen food advice
Top tips for freezing food
How to defrost turkey
How to avoid food poisoning
How to freeze fruit & vegetables
Freezable family recipes
What's your preferred method for defrosting chicken? Leave a comment below...