How to Quickly Thaw a Whole Frozen Chicken
A whole chicken allows you to feed many people. Whole chickens are typically found frozen at supermarkets, and you need to thaw them completely so that you can cook them to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are pressed for time, you will not be able to thaw the whole chicken in the refrigerator. You can quickly thaw a whole chicken in cold water or in the microwave, then proceed to cook the chicken the way you prefer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Thaw in Water
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1
Place the whole frozen chicken in an airtight bag.
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2
Fill a sink full of cold water. Never use hot water to thaw the chicken. You will need enough to cover the chicken completely. Place the chicken in the sink.
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3
Change the water every 30 minutes until the chicken thaws completely. Thawing time using this method is about 1 hour per pound.
Thaw in Microwave
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4
Remove the whole chicken from its package.
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5
Place the whole chicken on a microwaveable dish.
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6
Place plastic wrap loosely over the whole chicken. Move the defrost setting on the microwave to medium-low. Check your user's guide, as some models will allow you to enter the weight of the chicken.
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7
Press the defrost button. Follow any directions that your microwave gives you. Defrost the whole chicken for 2 minutes. Check on the chicken frequently to feel for ice crystals inside the cavity. Continue to defrost the chicken in 2-minute intervals. The defrosting time will vary according to the size of the chicken and the power of your microwave.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove the giblets from the chicken's cavity once you thaw it.
Do not thaw a whole chicken at room temperature.
Cook a chicken immediately after you defrost it to prevent the growth of bacteria.
References
- Photo Credit whole roast chicken with bacon image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
