How to Thaw Chicken {4 Easy Methods from Freezer Cooking Experts!}

As freezer cooking experts, cookbook authors, and self-proclaimed freezer meal evangelists, we've learned all the tricks when it comes to safely thawing your frozen food. In this post, nosotros are sharing the four best ways to defrost food safely.

We will zero in on how to thaw chicken, since this seems to be the most common question we become. But, please continue in mind that these methods piece of work for all types of freezer meals!

Information technology's 5 o'clock, the kids getting hangry, and you realize the frozen chicken y'all meant to thaw is nevertheless rock solid and sitting comfortably in the back of your freezer.

Is there a mode to thaw craven fast?

You lot bet! In fact, we take a few different methods for the BEST ways to thaw your nutrient.

four Ways to Safely Thaw Frozen Chicken & Freezer Meals

ane. Thaw in the Refrigerator

The all-time and safest style to thaw chicken and/or freezer meals is to put it in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. Thawing time volition depend on the size of the repast, but plan on roughly 5 hours per pound.

Brand certain to place the freezer meal on a plate to take hold of the condensation or leaks every bit it thaws. Yes, thawing using this method does take some planning. This is why nosotros encourage menu planning as much as possible. In fact, nosotros provide a Gratuitous Printable Carte du jour Plan in our store, also as FREE menu plans every weekon the blog.

But, we know that sometimes life is crazy. And menu planning doesn't happen. And sometimes that delicious freezer meal needs to be thawed quicker.

Rest bodacious, there are other ways.

two. Thaw in Common cold H2o

Another condom thawing option is to place the food in a leak-proof plastic pocketbook and immerse it in common cold water, changing the water out every xxx minutes. This still takes a bit of fourth dimension–anywhere from 3-v hours depending on how large your meal is, but information technology's quicker than the refrigerator option. I've found that this option works best when the repast is frozen in a plastic bag like we recommend yous do in our 7 Best Chicken Marinades.

Afterwards using this method of thawing, melt your food immediately.

Need nutrient even quicker than this? We have some other thought for you…

3. Thaw in the Microwave

A third choice is to microwave-defrost food in a microwave-safe dish. Defrost your food using your microwave'southward instructions. The reason this is the tertiary option (our least favorite) is considering this method (especially chicken) can tend to dry food a bit.

Regardless, sometimes y'all merely demand to quickly thaw something, so the microwave information technology is!

Brand sure to cook your food immediately after this method, besides.

iv. Cook Information technology Straight from Frozen in the Instant Pot

A quaternary, and often forgotten, option for cooking frozen food is cooking it straight from frozen in the Instant Pot. Yep, information technology's safe! And yes, it'due south as amazing equally information technology sounds. If you prep an Instant Pot Freezer Meal, all you take to do is plop it in the Instant Pot, button a button, and you're done.

We have tested the cooking times for all types of Instant Pot Freezer Meals, including frozen craven, and accept fabricated a 1 page Instant Pot Cooking Times Cheat Sheet for y'all. If yous plan to cook frozen food in the Instant Pot, this crook sheet is a MUST.

If you lot want to come across all of the nitty gritty almost cooking frozen chicken in the Instant Pot, nosotros accept a whole mail near cooking chicken breasts in the Instant Pot.

FAQ Virtually Thawing Food

Can you thaw chicken in a crockpot?

I hate to be the one to intermission this to you, but thawing food in the slow cooker or thawing food on the counter is not safe. Here is what the USDA says about frozen nutrient in the crockpot:

Always defrost meat or poultry before putting it in the boring cooker. If you place frozen meat or poultry in a dull cooker it can spend too much time thawing, allow bacteria to multiply, and make you lot sick. Using defrosted foods volition also ensure your meal cooks evenly and all the way through.

-USDA

Thawing your chicken before putting it in the tedious cooker is the way to go. Here is how long to melt chicken in the crock pot by the way.

What is the FASTEST manner to thaw craven? (Or any freezer repast)

The fastest way would be to defrost it in the microwave. But exist sure to apply the defrost setting and watch it closely.

Where can I find the Best Craven Freezer Meals?

We're so glad y'all asked! 🙂 This drove of freezer meals is a great place to offset. You can notice our tiptop chicken recipes towards the heart of the post.

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Source: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/three-safe-ways-to-thaw-freezer-meals/

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