You just received you order of premium, farm-raised chicken from Perduefarms.com. What should you do next? Here, Perdue Farms’ culinary team shares tips and tricks for defrosting chicken and cooking frozen chicken – the right way.*
We believe that the safest and most effective way to thaw chicken is to place products in the refrigerator.
Defrosting in a steady 34 F environment protects the integrity of meat and keeps muscle fibers intact.
To thaw Perdue Farms chicken products that cannot be cooked from frozen: Remove products from the freezer (keep original packaging on) and place on a sheet tray or other large platter that will capture any liquids that may be released from products as they defrost. Then place tray of product(s) on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator to avoid cross contamination with other items in the refrigerator.
How long does it take chicken to thaw? Here’s a good rule of thumb: A 5- to 6-pound chicken will take approximately 24 hours to defrost, which translates to 4 hours per pound of frozen chicken.
Thawing frozen chicken in water takes less time than refrigerator defrosting, but must be done properly to protect muscle fibers of meat, which retain moisture as the product cooks.
To defrost, place frozen chicken in its original packaging in a container. Place the container in a clean kitchen sink with drain open. Allow 40 to 50 F water to steadily stream over chicken. Drain and refresh water in container every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes per 2 pounds of chicken to defrost.
Using a microwave can be the fastest way to thaw chicken. But it may be the riskiest method, as microwaves vary from model to model and defrosting for too long may result in a cooked ― or worse yet, overcooked ― product. Although we dont recommend this method, we offer these tips and suggestions if you are running short on time:
We do not recommend this method and here’s why: When frozen chicken is placed on the countertop at room temperature to thaw, the surface of the product defrosts before the inside. By the time the entire product defrosts, the surface area has reached the “danger zone,” between 40 and 140 F, an environment that is ideal for bacteria growth. Air temperature plays a big part too. The warmer your kitchen, the faster the temperature of the product climbs.
According to the USDA, thawed chicken can be stored for 1 to 2 days. Oxygen speeds up the spoiling process, so place defrosted chicken in an air-tight container, a vacuum-sealed container or a vacuum bag.
Defrosted chicken sealed in an air-tight container or bag should be stored in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature of 34 to 40 F.
Your products will arrive at your doorstep fully frozen. Inspect packages for tears or rips, then place immediately in the freezer (or refrigerator, if you plan to defrost and prepare in a day or so).
It is possible to safely refreeze chicken if the product has been properly covered with no cross-contamination and stored in the refrigerator at a consistent 34 to 40 F temperature for no more than two days.
Refreezing defrosted chicken does negatively impact the quality. Poultry loses moisture during the defrosting process. If product is refrozen and defrosted again, it will lose more natural moisture and be dry when cooked.
For best results, choose a low and slow cooking method, like braising, stewing, poaching or boiling, as a moist environment will help maintain the product’s natural moisture. If possibly, partially defrost the product so it can hold onto seasoning, and use a digital meat thermometer to keep track of the internal temperature. Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches a minimum of 165 F to reduce risk of foodborne illness.
Points to keep in mind: Boneless chicken breasts will most likely cook faster than bone-in breasts. To fully cook the meat surrounding the bone and the marrow, you run the risk of overcooking the breast meat of a bone-in product. A chicken breast with uniform thickness will cook more evenly than a cut that is thick on one end, with a thinner tail on the other. To check for doneness, insert a digital meat thermometer in the thickest portion of the meat. When cooking a bone-in product, probe the center of the thickest area of meat, as well as right against the bone internally, to ensure the center is at least 165 F and the bone is above 175 F.
The safest way to defrost chicken is to remove it from the freezer, put it in a container, and put it on a low shelf in a refrigerator for at least 24 hours or until no longer frozen. There are also other ways to defrost chicken more quickly. Chicken may defrost more quickly by using a cold water bath or a microwave.
Frozen Chicken on the Stove
If product is flat-sided, consider pan searing on both sides, then finishing off in the oven. Searing creates a brown crust and lends flavor to the finished product.
To continue cooking on the stovetop, remove chicken from pan, deglaze the pan with some wine and stock, place chicken back in pan with liquid and pan braise. Braise until internal temperature reaches 165 F with a digital meat thermometer. Braising lends complexity to the pan sauce/braising liquid flavor and boosts the aromatics.
To cook meat for salads, consider poaching, a low and slow method that helps chicken retain moisture, even when chilled after cooking. First, place chicken in a stock pot, add water and heat on stovetop until water temperature reaches 175 to 180 F. Cook until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 F when measured with a digital meat thermometer.
Frozen Chicken in the Oven
Create a moist environment by placing chicken in a cooking bag with stock, in a pan with a high lip and a foil cover or a pan with a lid. Place the pan in an oven preheated to 275 to 300 F and cook slowly, being sure to baste the product (if in a pan) throughout the cooking process. Spooning cooking liquid over the top of the exposed meat will ensure a more moist final product. Chicken is done when internal temperature, measured with a digital meat thermometer, reaches 165 F.
How to Thaw Chicken Safely | 3 Easy Methods
FAQ
What is the best way to thaw frozen chicken?
What not to do when defrosting chicken?
Is it safe to thaw frozen chicken in water?
Is it OK to let frozen chicken thaw on counter?