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How Do I Defrost Chicken Breasts?

Emily Espinoza
Emily Espinoza

You can safely defrost chicken breasts by submerging them in cold water, heating them in the microwave, or leaving them in the refrigerator. Handle chicken or any other perishable food item with care in order to prevent the growth of potentially harmful bacteria in your food. It is not safe to defrost chicken by leaving it on a counter or by putting it in warm water because both environments allow the meat to get too warm. Raw chicken should not be allowed to get warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) because anything above that temperature allows any bacteria present in the food to reproduce and can quickly make the chicken unsafe to eat.

If you defrost chicken breasts by putting them in cold water, thawing will take about one hour per pound (0.45 kg) of meat. Very large pieces take longer. Cutting the breasts into smaller pieces allows the chicken to defrost more quickly.

Chicken breast is high in protein.
Chicken breast is high in protein.

Make sure that the chicken is tightly wrapped so that bacteria from the raw meat doesn't contaminate the surfaces around it. Keeping it wrapped also prevents water from soaking into the meat which isn't dangerous but can negatively affect the quality of your chicken. If you have a hard time keeping your package of chicken breasts submerged, try putting a glass baking pan on top of it to weigh it down. Make sure that everything that comes into contact with the package is thoroughly washed afterwards.

Raw chicken can contaminate other foods and surfaces with Salmonella bacteria.
Raw chicken can contaminate other foods and surfaces with Salmonella bacteria.

It is difficult to say how long it takes to defrost chicken breasts in the microwave because each appliance varies in power and efficiency. It is usually best to heat the chicken on a medium power setting for a couple of minutes at a time and to check to see if any parts have started to cook. It is also safe to cook frozen chicken without defrosting it beforehand, so theoretically, you can combine the defrosting and cooking processes if you plan to also cook the chicken in the microwave. As always, carefully clean any surface that the chicken comes in contact with while it is raw.

Grilled, sliced chicken breast can add substantial protein to a green salad.
Grilled, sliced chicken breast can add substantial protein to a green salad.

The most highly recommended and safest way to defrost chicken breasts is to let them sit in the refrigerator until they are completely thawed. This process can take about five hours per pound (0.45 kg), but to be on the safe side, it is usually best to defrost chicken breasts for a whole day or at least overnight. When defrosting this way, make sure your refrigerator is set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) or lower. The chicken breasts should be kept wrapped, and it is also a good idea to put a plate or pan under them so that any liquid that drips off as they thaw is contained and can be washed off afterwards.

Discussion Comments

Pippinwhite

There's no doubt thawing chicken breasts in the fridge is the safest option, but you can do it in the microwave if you are going to be cooking them immediately after thawing.

I usually start at 30 percent power, for five minutes, and then turn the chicken breasts over and go another five minutes at 30 percent. You don't want to cook the chicken in the microwave, so you do have to watch it, and be ready to shift pieces around to vary the thickness so they can defrost properly.

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    • Chicken breast is high in protein.
      By: Christian Jung
      Chicken breast is high in protein.
    • Raw chicken can contaminate other foods and surfaces with Salmonella bacteria.
      By: Jacek Chabraszewski
      Raw chicken can contaminate other foods and surfaces with Salmonella bacteria.
    • Grilled, sliced chicken breast can add substantial protein to a green salad.
      By: marrakeshh
      Grilled, sliced chicken breast can add substantial protein to a green salad.
    • A rotating microwave turntable can help ensure that frozen chicken is defrosted thoroughly.
      By: Winai Tepsuttinun
      A rotating microwave turntable can help ensure that frozen chicken is defrosted thoroughly.
    • Chicken breasts may be defrosted in the refrigerator until they are thawed.
      By: Elenathewise
      Chicken breasts may be defrosted in the refrigerator until they are thawed.