Find out how to defrost chicken safely in four ways. All of these methods are absolutely foolproof. So go ahead and pick one depending on the amount of time you have at hand.

Have you ever decided to make chicken for dinner, only to realise that you forgot to take it out of the freezer in time? Me too!

As someone who’s encountered this problem one too many times, I have now learnt to equip myself with a few methods of defrosting chicken safely. And that’s exactly what I am going to share with you today.

All these methods are completely safe, and so helpful to have in your back pocket. You’ll be so thankful for that pack frozen chicken when the cravings for restaurant-style butter chicken or comforting chicken shorba strikes!

Is frozen chicken better than fresh?

A few years ago, I used to be wary about buying frozen chicken as I believed that they lacked nutritional value, were less healthier, and just not as safe for consumption. But now I know that’s just a myth. So I now buy frozen as well as fresh chicken, depending on convenience and availability. But here’s why I always have a pack of frozen chicken in my freezer:

• Frozen chicken has a longer shelf life and it also tends to be less expensive than fresh chicken.
• Having frozen chicken in my freezer means I always have some at hand for last minute meals or unexpected guests.
• Commercially frozen chicken is usually frozen immediately at very low temperatures, thereby making sure that it doesn’t lose any nutrients and is absolutely safe for consumption by the time you are ready to cook it. 

So now that we know frozen chicken is absolutely safe for you, here’s let’s see how to defrost chicken safely…

Method #1: Refrigerator

This one’s for all the planners who know exactly what they’re going to be cooking when. 

• Take the chicken out of the freezer and place it in a big bowl. The bowl will help catch any water from the defrosting and prevent a mess.   
• Now place this bowl in the refrigerator overnight or the cmorning of when you’re planning to cook.  

That’s it! The only thing is that defrosting chicken this way is a slow process and can take anywhere between 7 – 12 hours depending on the amount of chicken and the type of cut you are defrosting. But according to experts, this is the safest way to defrost chicken. Besides, once the chicken is in the refrigerator, the process is pretty hands-off and doesn’t require you to do anything until you are ready to cook.  

Method #2: Cold Water

This is my preferred method to defrost chicken, simply because it doesn’t require too much pre-planning, is quicker, and absolutely safe. 

• Fill a big bowl with cool tap water. Make sure the water is cool to touch, not warm or hot, especially during the summers. 
• If it is warm or hot, throw in a couple of ice cubes to maintain the correct temperature.  
• Place the frozen chicken (still in its original packaging) in this bowl in a way that the entire packet is fully submerged. 
• Change the water every 30 minutes or so.  

This method is great because it requires no pre-planning, and needs just 1-2 hours to defrost the chicken completely. However, it is important to change the water 2-3 times to prevent it from getting too warm. Warm water increases the chances of developing bacteria which can make the chicken unsafe for consumption.

Method #3: Under Running cold water 

This is a method commonly used by restaurants to defrost their chicken quickly, and is also often recommended by chefs and experts. Here’s what you need to do: 

• Place the chicken (still in its original packaging or a zip lock bag) in a big bowl of cool tap water.  
• Place the bowl under the tap in such a way that there is a thin stream of water running over the chicken at all times. 

This method defrosts chicken much quicker than the previous two methods as it doesn’t let the temperature of the water change. Plus with this method, you won’t have to change the water.  However, I personally do not prefer defrosting chicken this way as it leads to a lot of water wastage. 

Method #4: Microwave

This method is perfect for when you are super pressed for time and want to defrost your chicken quickly.

• Remove the chicken from its packaging and place it in a microwave-safe dish. 
• Turn on the defrosting function of your microwave and defrost it in short 2 minute intervals at a time. 
• Flip the chicken a couple of times to ensure even defrosting on all sides.
• Cook it immediately.

Even though you can defrost chicken in the microwave quickly, I don’t recommend this method. The high heat from the microwave can start to cook the chicken, cause heat spots, and change the texture. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Richa’s Top Tips

• Never thaw the chicken on the counter or in warm/hot water as it tends to defrost just the outer layer, while the insides still remain frozen. This can contaminate the chicken and thereby making it unsafe for consumption. 
• Avoid refreezing thawed chicken. Refreezing defrosted chicken can lead to a protein breakdown as well as breed harmful bacteria. It’s best to consuming it immediately, or at least on the same, after defrosting.

Now that the chicken is defrosted, it’s ready to cook. If you are looking for some inspiration, here are some of my favourite chicken recipes you’ll absolutely love:

Chicken Favorites 🫶

Indian Recipes

Dhaba Style Chicken Curry

Indian Recipes

The Best Chicken Biryani (Step by step video recipe)

Curry

Restaurant Style Butter Chicken Masala (Murgh Makhani)

Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

I have tonnes more quick, easy, and fun chicken recipes on the blog in case you want more inspiration. in case you want to try them. If you want more chicken recipes, I have There are a lot more chicken recipes on the blog for you to try. Simply type chicken in the search bar and take your pick!