Defrosting Chicken

MacRS4 · 20 Jan 2011 at 12:12

From what I've read the only correct way to defrost poultry in the fridge - other than low 'defrost' setting microwave. Problem I find with microwave defrost is it can sometimes 'burn' the chicken, making it taste tough.

I tend to freeze & hoard

I'll often buy a 2 or 3Kg lump of Rib Eye steak for example, make some steaks, a roast, and then throw them in the freezer.

Same with chooks, I've always got at least two frozen. Take one out 24 hours before you need it, pop in fridge, job done.

lookitsjonno · 20 Jan 2011 at 12:15

a very common problem for me

usually if im in a hurry i can defrost in an hour by putting them in an airtight bag and placing them in a large bowl of luke warm water.

going to try the oven idea next time !

Dave M · 20 Jan 2011 at 12:15

POB said:
This sounds slightly unsafe. But not sure why.

It isn't, honest

Think about all the frozen nuggets / kievs people have, no different.

I cook a chicken breast in foil for 45 minutes though, 200c.

kylew · 20 Jan 2011 at 12:34

I usually freeze chicken in freezer bags, and often do a quick defrost by putting the chicken, still in the freezer bag, in a bowl and run the cold tap over it for 20 minutes, by that time it's defrosted enough for me to cut it up and cook.

[SKR]Phoenix · 20 Jan 2011 at 12:54

Telescopi said:
It isn't, honest

Think about all the frozen nuggets / kievs people have, no different.

I cook a chicken breast in foil for 45 minutes though, 200c.

This - then if I want it browning up a bit I'll unwrap it for 5 mins or so. Never get dried up chicken this way.

Delvis · 20 Jan 2011 at 12:55

Hm...should try that ore often really...Put some vegs in there as well or something

[SKR]Phoenix · 20 Jan 2011 at 13:00

Delvis said:
Hm...should try that ore often really...Put some vegs in there as well or something

Onions, chilli slices, sliced peppers, cherry tomatoes, few herbs or spices, garlic clove. I don't mean all of those at the same time, just whatever you fancy. Easy way to get a great tasting meal. I sometimes add a little oil (normally chilli), but don't go mad or it will just be a soggy mess.

Don't forget that the veg will be pretty soft, but I prefer to blacken them up a little, so giving it a few mins opened up is a good idea at the end.

Delvis · 20 Jan 2011 at 13:05

[SKR]Phoenix;18272761 said:
Onions, chilli slices, sliced peppers, cherry tomatoes, few herbs or spices, garlic clove. I don't mean all of those at the same time, just whatever you fancy. Easy way to get a great tasting meal. I sometimes add a little oil (normally chilli), but don't go mad or it will just be a soggy mess.

Don't forget that the veg will be pretty soft, but I prefer to blacken them up a little, so giving it a few mins opened up is a good idea at the end.

Yeah

I love chicken, we never buy enough of it really

GhostlyPea · 20 Jan 2011 at 13:23

Greenlizard0 said:
They're organized creatures. They'll let one out to defrost the night before whereas we go up to the fridge when we're hungry.

This is so true

- Pea0n

Cosimo · 20 Jan 2011 at 13:27

Clum said:
There must be something hard coded into a woman's brain that drives them to freeze meat, like they're preparing for the apocalypse. Drives me up the wall as well.

When I ask as mine about how long she’s had stuff in the freezer the answer is usually “for a while”.

Greenlizard0 · 20 Jan 2011 at 13:38

Delvis said:
lol...organized

Lol after I corrected somebody yesterday over the use of offense/offence as well.

Delvis · 20 Jan 2011 at 14:51

Greenlizard0 said:
Lol after I corrected somebody yesterday over the use of offense/offence as well.

I was actually referring to the comment as opposed to the spelling

Deleted member 66701 · 20 Jan 2011 at 15:14

kylew said:
often do a quick defrost by putting the chicken, still in the freezer bag, in a bowl and run the cold tap over it for 20 minutes,

A running tap? For 20 mins?

And people wonder why we have hosepipe bans :rolleyes:

.Ox. · 20 Jan 2011 at 16:03

Fresh meat > Frozen Meat.

Love going to the butchers and getting a load of chicken breasts.
They are so much bigger and cheaper than the ones in the supermarket and don't leave loads of crap in your pan.

WingZero30 · 20 Jan 2011 at 16:06

tom_e said:
just leave them out and all should be fine, if your leaving them out the night before stick them in the fridge to defrost. Then again I just leave them on the side and I've not had any problems

Thats the best advice given and I was going to say the same thing.

DBT85 · 20 Jan 2011 at 16:51

I just put some cold water in the sink and chuck stuff in. Works a treat.

kylew · 21 Jan 2011 at 18:07

amigafan2003 said:
A running tap? For 20 mins?

And people wonder why we have hosepipe bans

Yeah, because I had the tap on full blast, spraying water all over the place! I must have used about 100 litres of water just to defrost a bit of chicken! Use some common sense, the tap was on a drip. :rolleyes:

kylew · 21 Jan 2011 at 18:09

.Ox. said:
Fresh meat > Frozen Meat.

Love going to the butchers and getting a load of chicken breasts.
They are so much bigger and cheaper than the ones in the supermarket and don't leave loads of crap in your pan.

What if you freeze your fresh meat? I don't buy supermarket meat in a packet, I get it fresh from the butchers, I still freeze it though.

.Ox. · 21 Jan 2011 at 18:18

kylew said:
What if you freeze your fresh meat? I don't buy supermarket meat in a packet, I get it fresh from the butchers, I still freeze it though.

Its still better than the stuff from the supermarket.

But fresh meat is always nicer than frozen meat, its not a bad thing to do. Its just nicer.

Defrosting Chicken

Deleted member 66701

Deleted member 66701