Microwave Hacks #4: Defrosting Chicken

Microwaving chicken is a quick and convenient way to thaw it out, saving you time and hassle in the kitchen. However, there are some important tips and tricks to keep in mind to ensure your chicken is safely and evenly defrosted.

To defrost chicken in the microwave, follow these steps:

1. Remove chicken from packaging
2. Use a microwave-safe container
3. Select the Defrost settings
4. Flip and rotate chicken
5. Cook immediately

Defrosting Chicken In The Microwave

Defrosting chicken in the microwave can be quick and convenient, but it’s important to follow these steps for safe and effective thawing:

1. Remove chicken from packaging: Make sure to take the chicken out of its original packaging to ensure even defrosting.

2. Use a microwave-safe container: Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish or container to prevent any potential contamination.

3. Select the Defrost settings: If your microwave has a Defrost setting, input the food type (poultry or meat) and weight of the chicken. If not, defrost at a 20–30 percent power level for 8–10 minutes per pound.

4. Flip and rotate chicken: Pause the microwave every few minutes to flip the chicken or rotate the dish for more even thawing.

5. Cook immediately: Once the chicken is thawed, cook it immediately to prevent bacterial growth. It’s important to not let the chicken sit at room temperature for too long.

By following these steps, you can safely and effectively defrost chicken in the microwave for your next meal.

Is it Safe to Defrost Chicken in the Microwave

Microwaves are used for several different cooking tasks. This includes defrosting frozen chicken, which is 100% safe to do in the microwave so long as you do it correctly. It’s important that you thaw the chicken thoroughly at 30 to 50% power depending on your microwave, periodically flipping over the chicken breast as it defrosts.

You’ll do this so that every side gets just enough microwave energy to thaw through and melt the ice, while also ensuring that one side doesn’t get so much heat that it begins to cook. It’s also important that you cook the meat immediately after defrosting.

How Long Does It Take To Defrost Chicken

The time it takes to defrost chicken varies depending on the method used. When defrosting chicken in the refrigerator, it can take about 24 hours for every 5 pounds of chicken. In the microwave, it typically takes about 8-10 minutes per pound of chicken.

When using the cold water method, chicken can defrost in about 1-3 hours, depending on the size of the chicken. It’s important to ensure that the chicken is completely thawed before cooking to ensure safe consumption.

How to Defrost Frozen Chicken in the Microwave

To defrost chicken in the microwave, you’ll first want to check what kind of settings your microwave comes equipped with. Most microwaves have a defrost setting, which can be used simply by pressing the defrost button. If your microwave does not have a defrost setting, however, check if your microwave has a power level button.

This will allow you to set your microwave to 30 to 50% power to be able to thoroughly and safely thaw your chicken. If your microwave is very basic and has neither of these options, you’ll be better off thawing your chicken in the fridge or a bowl of cold water.

Don’t attempt to defrost your frozen chicken in the microwave without using the defrost setting or setting the microwave to 30 to 50% power. If you have a user manual for your microwave, we recommend following the instructions for defrosting chicken with your particular microwave make. Remember not to defrost your chicken in the microwave for so long that it begins to cook.

If your microwave has the defrost setting, follow these steps to defrost your chicken in the microwave:

1. Remove the frozen chicken from the freezer and remove its original packaging, then brush off any excess ice crystals.
2. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate (we recommend using one with steep ridges to catch excess liquids as the ice melts), in a shallow bowl, or in a small glass cake pan.
3. Set the plate or dish in the microwave on the center of the turn plate and close the microwave door.
4. Press the defrost button to activate the defrost setting.
5. If prompted to enter the weight of the chicken, punch in a weight estimate for how many pounds the chicken is. The microwave will then automatically set the time to 7 to 10 minutes based on the number of pounds you inputted and automatically set the power level to 30 to 50% depending on the microwave. Press start. If this weight prompt does not appear, and instead it asks for cook time, skip step 7. Otherwise, continue to step 6
6. Every 2 minutes or so, pull open the door to check on the chicken. If the top layer of the chicken has begun to change color, flip the chicken over and close the door. Press start and skip to step 8.
7. If prompted to enter the number of minutes to defrost for rather than pounds, input 2 minutes, then defrost in 2-minute increments for approximately 10 to 18 minutes depending on the chicken size until fully thawed.
8. When the timer runs out, check on the chicken by opening the door. If the top layer of the chicken has just begun to change color, flip the chicken over and close the door. Press the defrost setting once more and input 2 more minutes.
9. Repeat these 2-minute defrosting increments, checking on the chicken between each increment and flipping the chicken over when needed until the chicken is fully defrosted. You should have flipped the chicken over at least once during the thawing process.

If your microwave does not have the defrost setting, but it does have the power level setting, follow these steps to defrost your chicken in the microwave:

1. Remove the frozen chicken from the freezer and remove its original packaging, then brush off any excess ice crystals.
2. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate (we recommend using one with steep ridges to catch excess liquids as the ice melts), in a shallow bowl, or in a small glass cake pan.
3. Set the plate or dish in the microwave on the center of the turn plate and close the microwave door.
4. Set the power level setting by pressing the power level button.
5. When prompted to set a power level, it’s best to input 30% power, but you can defrost chicken at up to 50% power if you’re strapped for time.
6. If you have a pound of chicken, set the time to 10 minutes when prompted. If you have 2 pounds of chicken, set the time for 18 minutes. Press start.
7. Every 2 minutes or so, pull open the door to check on the chicken. If the top layer of the chicken has begun to change color, flip the chicken over and close the door. Press start once more.
8. Repeat these 2-minute defrosting increments, checking on the chicken between each increment and flipping the chicken over when needed until the chicken is fully defrosted. You should have flipped the chicken over at least once during the thawing process.

How to Tell When the Chicken is Fully Defrosted

If between one of the 2-minute defrosting increments it seems that the chicken is fully defrosted, and it is showing signs such as water pooling around it and the raw chicken has begun to turn white all over, you can follow these steps to ensure it is fully defrosted and there is no frozen chicken inside. While you can still cook chicken that is frozen or not fully defrosted, the chicken will cook much quicker and more evenly if it’s fully defrosted.

First, carefully remove the dish your chicken is sitting in from the microwave. The dish shouldn’t be hot, but check the temperature of the dish before grasping it. Set the dish on the counter, then, using a knife, call a small slit into the thickest part of the chicken, about half the depth of the entire chicken thickness. Insert your finger into this slit to see if you can feel any solid flesh or ice crystals. If you do, then it needs to go back into the microwave to continue defrosting. If the flesh is soft and you don’t feel any ice crystals, it’s fully defrosted. The chicken is ready to cook right away.

Why You Should Cook Your Defrosted Chicken Immediately

Unless you thawed your chicken in the refrigerator, you should cook your chicken immediately after defrosting. This is because using other defrosting methods such as the microwave or a bowl of cold water allows for a small number of bacteria to thrive or grow, and cooking immediately will kill off the bacteria. If you try to refreeze the chicken or you let it sit on the counter for a while, the bacteria will continue to grow and could become dangerous or at least cause some level of illness when consumed.

If you thaw your chicken in the refrigerator, it is still safe to freeze it once more if you put it back in the freezer within 1 or 2 days after thawing it, but with any other thawing method, you should cook immediately or throw out the chicken if it’s been sitting out too long or you change your mind about cooking it. Even if you don’t plan to consume the chicken right away, you can always freeze or refrigerate cooked chicken.

FAQs

Conclusion

In conclusion, using the microwave to defrost chicken can save you time and hassle in the kitchen. Just remember to follow proper food safety guidelines and always cook the chicken thoroughly to avoid any risk of foodborne illness. So go ahead, defrost that chicken in the microwave and enjoy a delicious meal in no time!