Defrosting chicken in the refrigerator
Time taken: 12-24 hrs
Defrosting chicken in the refrigerator is the safest method as it enables you to maintain a consistent temperature below 5°C, inhibiting bacterial growth. However, it requires planning and is slower than other methods taking 12-24 hours depending on the size of your chicken pieces.
Defrosting chicken in cold water
Time taken: 1-3 hrs
Submerging chicken in cold water is faster than the refrigerator method, taking between 1-3 hours and requires regular water changes to encourage a drop in temperature. The chicken should be wrapped in an airtight bag to prevent water penetration which might affect the taste and dilute the nutrient content of the chicken.
Defrosting chicken in the microwave
Time taken: 10-15 mins per KG (check the user manual)
Defrosting chicken in the microwave is the quickest method, but before you start, check your user manual and only use the defrost setting. Rotate the chicken frequently to ensure even thawing and check often to ensure it doesn't start cooking.
The lack of temperature control is an issue with microwave defrosting and for this reason it is advisable to cook the chicken immediately after.
Unsafe methods of defrosting chicken
Defrosting chicken at room temperature or in the oven is not considered safe. There is a risk that the external temperature of the chicken will rise faster than the internal temperature and if it rises above 5℃ bacterial pathogens will begin to multiply creating a food risk.
Do not defrost chicken at room temperature
Defrosting chicken at room temperature is not recommended as it allows bacteria growth, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
Do not defrost chicken in the oven
Oven-defrosting chicken is not recommended as it can lead to uneven defrosting and potential bacterial growth. Don’t do it no matter how tempted you are.