Can I Cook A Chicken Five Days After Defrosting It?

HOME FOOD & DRINK Can I Cook a Chicken Five Days After Defrosting It? By: Wendy K. Leigh More Articles

1. How to Defrost a Chicken in a Refrigerator
2. How to Make Crock-pot Chicken
3. Can I Cook Chicken That's Been Thawed in the Refrigerator for Three Days?
4. Can I Stop Cooking a Chicken Halfway & Resume Cooking Later?
5. Can I Cook Chicken Two Weeks After the Sell by Date?

Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images

The method you use to thaw chicken can prevent you from contracting a foodborne illness, but you must also consider how quickly it is consumed thereafter. Cooking a chicken five days after defrosting is unwise. Freezing poultry is an excellent way to prolong its expiration date, but defrosting it properly is important.

Never Linger Longer

When removing chicken from the freezer, defrost it safely either in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave on the defrost setting. After it has thawed completely, chicken must be kept in the refrigerator and cooked within one to two days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If you choose to thaw the chicken in a microwave, cook it immediately because bacteria can begin to build due to some portions of the chicken being partially cooked.

Take Some Care

Never thaw any perishable food items on the counter or in hot water, and do not leave meat at room temperature for more than two hours. Chicken defrosted in the refrigerator can be safely refrozen with a couple of days, but the quality may be reduced. Any food thawed in cold water or in the microwave should not be refrozen before cooking them first.

Related Articles

How to Defrost a Chicken in a ...

How to Make Crock-pot Chicken

Can I Cook Chicken That's Been Thawed ...

Can I Stop Cooking a Chicken Halfway & ...

Can I Cook Chicken Two Weeks After the ...

If Chicken Smells Bad Can You Still ...

How to Cook Chicken Thighs

How to Slow Cook Chicken With Tomatoes ...

What Happens to Boneless Chicken if I ...

How to Cook Mojo Chicken

What Can I Substitute for Poppy Seeds ...

How to Cook Chicken Bratwurst

How to Bake Frozen & Prebreaded Chicken

How to Par-Cook Chicken Before Frying

How to Bake Chicken Breast Without Oil

How to Cook Crispy Jerk Chicken in the ...

How to Get a Marriage Certificate Online

How to Slow Cook Brown Rice & Chicken

How to Cook Chicken Schnitzel

How to Marinate Roast Chicken

References

• U.S. Department of Agriculture: The Big Thaw: Safe Defrosting Methods for Consumers
• The Huffington Post: How to Safely Thaw Chicken, Meat and Fish

Writer Bio

Wendy K. Leigh is a travel writer and photojournalist from Seattle. She is the Editor of Islands America, a travel website for visiting islands within the United States. She also writes about home design, food and historical architecture. Leigh holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Washington.

Photo Credits

Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images