Do you want to learn how to defrost chicken in microwave because you always forget to get your chicken out of the freezer in time? Yep, I feel you. Even though it bugs me so much, the most annoying thing that I keep on doing is forgetting to take the chicken out to defrost.
I do this every time I have to cook any type of chicken meal, no matter if it’s frozen chicken breasts, chicken wings, or a whole rotisserie chicken.
And yes, it does ruin my whole day, especially when I come home from work hungry. Will I get better at remembering to get the chicken out of the freezer?
Absolutely not. In fact, my forgetfulness is one of the main reasons why I bought a microwave. Need to defrost a chicken in almost no time? This useful kitchen appliance got your back.
There really isn’t much science when it comes to defrosting chicken in a microwave. To defrost chicken in the microwave, take your chicken meat out of the freezer, place it on a microwave-safe dish, and put it in your microwave on your defrost setting. Microwave the frozen chicken for two minutes or until it’s fully defrosted.
Check out the rest of the article to find out useful information on how to defrost chicken in microwave.
How To Defrost Chicken In Microwave(A Full Guide)
Chicken is very easy to defrost in the microwave. You don’t really need a special type of skill to do but, even though the instructions are pretty straightforward, here are some tips and tricks on how to successfully(and safely) defrost frozen chicken in the microwave.
Things You Should Know Before Defrosting Chicken
- Always Clean Your Microwave And Utensils After Defrosting Chicken- We all know that raw chicken is not safe for consumption because it contains lots of harmful bacteria and it tends to be full of hormones. Automatically, raw chicken also contaminates your kitchen, utensils, as well as when you’re doing microwave defrosting.
- Defrosted Chicken Has To Be Cooked Immediately After Defrosting- You know the rules, every frozen food can not be frozen again if it’s already been defrosted. Since chicken is a perishable product and can’t hold on long at room temperature, the best thing to do is to cook it immediately or cover it with plastic wrap or other safe methods and keep it in the fridge for a maximum of 24h.
- Make Sure You Don’t Press The Wrong Setting When You Start The Microwave- This type of mistake can happen to anyone(like myself for example ) but, it can have a big role in defrosting your chicken and even cooking the meat on the outside while the center is still frozen so make sure you press the defrost button.
- Defrosting Time Depends On The Meat Weight- Before you defrost any type of meat, measure its weight using a kitchen scale so you know how much time it needs to defrost. A pound of chicken should be able to defrost for about 10 minutes.
- Set The Temperature On 20-30 Percent Power If There’s No Defrost Option– If your microwave doesn’t have a defrost button, set the temperature on the lowest setting or 20-30 percent power so your chicken doesn’t cook on the outside.
- Keep An Eye On The Chicken As It Defrosts- It’s important to keep a close distance when you’re defrosting meat in the microwave because you don’t want to overdo it and accidentally cook it instead. Stop the microwave timer every couple of minutes to see the progress.
[Related Article: Baked Chicken Recipes And Convection Oven Are Perfect Match]
Defrosting Chicken Using Other Methods
Cold Water
Another popular and easy way to defrost frozen chicken is thawing the chicken in cold water. If you’re not in a hurry, place your frozen chicken in a plastic, waterproof bag and fill it with cold water. Remove the excess raw meat juice after the defrosting process and before cooking the chicken.
This might take a little more time than placing your chicken in a microwave, but it is one of the safest methods to defrost any type of meat if you ask me, much safer than contaminating the whole microwave with dangerous bacteria.
Hot Water
You can also use the same method to defrost chicken but with the use of hot water. This is also a good and quick way to defrost chicken but, try not to use boiling water as it can slightly cook the chicken and turn its color from pink to gray in no time.
Place a whole frozen chicken or chicken pieces in a zip lock bag, heat water, pour hot water in a wide bowl, and place the chicken inside the bowl.
Be careful to not let the hot water inside of the zip lock bag as it can cause bacterial growth. You will have defroster chicken just in time for dinner.
The Refrigerator Method
Oh If I was organized enough to plan my meals beforehand so I can defrost chicken before dinner time, that would be great. The refrigerator method is the safest method to defrost meat and it does not contaminate your living area.
Also, a big plus for this method is that it actually prevents bacteria growth and keeps your meat fresh and safe to eat the day after. Granted, the defrosting process is very, 24hours to be exact. But, if you plan your meals ahead, this is a very good way to go.
Side Note: Never leave your frozen chicken to defrost at room temperature as it can contaminate your kitchen countertop and even your whole living area.
According to the USDA, perishable foods like dairy products, eggs, and meat, should never be left at room temperature or directly in hot water for more than 2 hours.
Related Questions And Other FAQs
Defrost Chicken In Oven
Defrosting chicken in the oven isn’t the most convenient and economic way to go, but it can be managed. Remove the plastic wrapper from the chicken, place it in an oven-safe dish, and let the heat do its thing. Make sure you remember to check the defrosting process so you don’t accidentally cook the chicken.
Defrosting Chicken On Counter
One thing you should never do is defrost your meat on the counter at room temperature. This is a very dangerous thing to do as it can contaminate your countertop and dry your meat. Perishable products should never be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Is It Safe To Defrost Chicken In The Microwave
Yes. Defrosting any type of meat in the microwave is safe as long as you remove all the plastic wrapping from the meat before you start the defrosting process and also use the defrost setting. Make sure to clean your microwave after putting raw meat inside.
How To Defrost Chicken In Water
To defrost your chicken in water, place your chicken in a zip lock bag and pour cold water in a wide bowl. Place the chicken in the cold bath and let it sit for a couple of hours until it’s fully defrosted.