How to Defrost Chicken Fast

Freezing chicken is a great method of keeping chicken fresh longer and taking advantage of sales without worrying about it going bad. Once it’s time to use your store of frozen chicken it is important to know how to safely and quickly thaw the chicken before cooking. Below you will find many great tips, and tricks, as well as 3 safe and efficient methods to thaw frozen chicken before cooking.

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What is the fastest way to thaw frozen chicken?

The fastest way to safely thaw frozen chicken is to use either the microwave or an instant pot. This will get you ready to cook chicken in minutes, perfect for quick dinners, casseroles, and soups.

Microwave method tips:

Heat at 1 to 1 ½ minute intervals flipping in between to avoid cooking the chicken in the microwave or drying it out. You want to heat it enough to just thaw.

Pierce the chicken with the tip of a knife to see if it’s still frozen in the center so you know when your chicken is thawed.

Instant Pot method tips:

• Pour about 1 cup of water into the instant pot and place frozen chicken inside.
• Seal and lock the lid, turn on the pressure cooker function for 1 minute. After the cooking time is done, quick release the pressure and your chicken is ready to use in any recipe as directed.
• Use an instant pot trivet to place the chicken on while thawing for even cooking.

Try my Chicken Carbonara Recipe!

How to Defrost Chicken Fast without Microwave?

If you don’t have a microwave for defrosting chicken or you don’t need thawed chicken right away you can either thaw the chicken sealed in a bag in cold water, or in the fridge for 1-2 days until thawed.

Cold water method tips:

• Make sure the frozen chicken is sealed in a water tight bag or container before adding to the cold water.
• Be sure to change out the cold water every 30 minutes to keep it cold and prevent the formation of bacteria.
• Place the whole setup in the sink to catch any spilled water and avoid a mess.

Refrigerator method tips:

• Place a tray or a plate under the container of frozen chicken in the fridge to catch any water or juices that may leak out as the meat thaws.
• Check the chicken daily to see if it’s thawed and still fresh.
• This method is the only method that allows you to refreeze thawed chicken instead of cooking it right away.

Safety precautions for thawing chicken

• For added safety coating the frozen chicken in vinegar first can help prevent the formation of bacteria on the meat as it thaws. While this is not a guarantee, it can help make thawing chicken fast safer.
• After thawing chicken, cook right away as directed on the recipe and only thaw chicken once you are ready to use it. The exception to this rule is thawing in the refrigerator overnight.
• Chicken should be fully thawed before cooking. Cooking partially frozen chicken will not only lead to tougher less tender chicken, but it can prevent the center from cooking thoroughly making it unsafe to eat.

How long do I need to defrost chicken for?

The amount of time required to defrost chicken will depend on both the method and the type of chicken used.

• For boneless chicken – thaw in the microwave for 1-3 minutes total depending on the size of the piece of chicken, remember to flip the frozen chicken halfway so it thaws evenly.
• For bone in chicken – thaw in the microwave for between 6-8 minutes at 1 ½ minute intervals flipping after each interval.
• For a whole chicken – Defrost for 2-3 hours using the cold water method or overnight in the fridge. It is not recommended to thaw a whole chicken in the microwave or Instant pot.

The safest and easiest method for checking if chicken is thawed is to use a meat thermometer. If the chicken is above 32°F then it is thawed and ready to cook.

Try my Ranch Chicken Wraps!