Forget to take your chicken out of the freezer?
We tapped an expert chef to learn the correct andsafeway to defrost chicken in the microwave.
Ashley Lonsdaleis a chef for ButcherBox.
Is It Safe to Defrost Chicken In the Microwave?
Youcandefrost chicken in the microwave, but its not always the best method, according to Chef Ashley Lonsdale.
Lonsdale says one benefit to defrosting chicken fully is giving yourself the option to dry-brine ormarinate chicken.
“Dry-brining and marinating are both wonderful preparation steps forchicken breaststhat result in juicier, more flavorful meat.
Large and bone-in parts as well as whole chickens take more time to defrost than small and boneless parts.
If you feel a solid core, the meat might still be partially frozen.
That’s a tip-off to stop defrosting.
The goal is always to defrost the chicken without beginning the cooking process, says Lonsdale.
Plan to cook your chicken as soon as possible after defrosting to avoid any bacterial growth.
Further, ensure your chicken is not left at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
Here are easy steps for defrosting chicken in the refrigerator and in cold water.
Position it on the bottom shelf to prevent inadvertent drips and spills from contaminating other foods, especially produce.
In Cold Water
Cold water is Chef Lonsdales preferred method for quickly defrosting chicken.
It always amazes me how quickly it defrosts.”
Youcancook chicken that hasn’t fully defrosted, but it may cook unevenly.
AnInstant Potis helpful for cooking frozen or partially frozen chicken," she adds.
“Frozen chicken takes a little longer to cook, and the high pressure speeds the process along.
No matter how you’ve defrosted your chicken, you should not wash or rinse it before cooking.
