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How to Defrost Chicken the Safe Way

Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — Written by Anna Schaefer — Updated on February 2, 2023

Dangers
Safe ways to defrost
Takeaway

It’s better to thaw chicken before cooking it. You can do this safely in the refrigerator, microwave, or with cold water.

It’s almost dinnertime, and the chicken is still in the freezer. Food safety often becomes an afterthought in these situations, partly because people don’t take foodborne illness seriously until they’re the ones suffering.

Foodborne illness is serious and potentially deadly: Around 3,000 Americans die from it every year, estimates FoodSafety.gov.

Learning how to properly defrost chicken only takes a few moments. It won’t only make your meal taste better — it’ll ensure that you feel good after eating it.

The dangers of improperly handled chicken

Foodborne illness is dangerous, and chicken has the potential to make you quite sick if not handled correctly. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the strains of bacteria most likely to be found on raw chicken are:

Salmonella
Staphylococcus aureus
E. coli
Listeria monocytogenes

These are bacteria that can, at best, make you sick. At worst, they can kill you. Proper thawing practices and cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) will considerably reduce your risks.

Definitely:

Don’t thaw meat on your kitchen counter. Bacteria thrive at room temperature.
Don’t rinse chicken under running water. This can splash bacteria around your kitchen, leading to cross-contamination.

4 safe ways to defrost chicken

There are three safe ways to thaw chicken, according to the USDA. One method skips thawing altogether.

Use the microwave

This is the fastest method, but remember: Chicken must be cooked immediately after you thaw it using a microwave. That’s because microwaves heat poultry to a temperature between 40 and 140ºF (4.4 and 60ºC), which bacteria thrive in. Only cooking the chicken to proper temperatures will kill the potentially dangerous bacteria.

Shop for microwaves at Amazon.

Use cold water

This should take two to three hours. To use this method:

Place the chicken in a leakproof plastic bag. This will stop the water from damaging the meat tissue as well as any bacteria from infecting the food.
Fill a large bowl or your kitchen sink with cold water. Submerge the bagged chicken.
Change out the water every 30 minutes.

Purchase plastic bags online.

Use a refrigerator

This method requires the most preparation, but it’s the most highly recommended. Chicken typically takes a full day to thaw, so plan your meals in advance. Once thawed, the poultry can remain in the refrigerator for a day or two before cooking.

Don’t thaw at all!

According to the USDA, it’s perfectly safe to cook chicken without thawing it in the oven or on the stove. The drawback? It will take a little longer — usually, by about 50 percent.

The takeaway

The USDA doesn’t advise cooking frozen chicken in a slow cooker. Thawing the chicken first is advised, and then cooking it in a crockpot can be a great way to make a tasty meal. Start it early in the day, and it’ll be ready to eat by dinnertime.

Shop for crockpots at Amazon.

Proper handling of poultry meat will reduce the risk of foodborne illness for you and your family. Get in the habit of planning your meals 24 hours in advance, and you’ll have no trouble ensuring that your poultry is ready to cook when dinnertime rolls around.

Meal Prep: Chicken and Veggie Mix and Match

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Thebig thaw: Safe defrosting methods for consumers. (2013).http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/the-big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods-for-consumers/CT_Index
Foodsafety information: Chicken from farm to table. (2014).http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/ad74bb8d-1dab-49c1-b05e-390a74ba7471/Chicken_from_Farm_to_Table.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
Foodsafety myths exposed. (n.d.).http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/basics/myths/

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Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — Written by Anna Schaefer — Updated on February 2, 2023

How To Defrost Chicken The Safe Way - Healthline

The dangers of improperly handled chicken

4 safe ways to defrost chicken

Use the microwave

Use cold water

Use a refrigerator

Don’t thaw at all!

The takeaway

Meal Prep: Chicken and Veggie Mix and Match

How we reviewed this article:

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