Defrosting Chicken in the Microwave (Plus 3 Other Hacks)

Do you want to learn how to thaw chicken in the microwave because you are always forgetting to take your chicken out of the freezer? Yes, I understand. Even though it irritates me much, the most irritating thing I keep doing is forgetting to take the chicken out to thaw.

Every time I have to make a chicken dinner, whether it’s frozen chicken breasts, chicken wings, or a complete rotisserie chicken, I do this.

And, yeah, it ruins my whole day, particularly when I get home from work famished. Will I get more adept at remembering to take the chicken from the freezer?

Certainly not. In fact, one of the primary reasons I purchased a microwave was due to my forgetfulness. Do you need to thaw a chicken quickly? This handy kitchen gadget has your back.

When it comes to defrosting chicken in the microwave, there isn’t much science behind it. To thaw chicken in the microwave, remove it from the freezer, place it on a microwave-safe plate, and place it in the microwave on the defrost setting. Microwave for two minutes, or until the frozen chicken has completely defrosted.

Check read the remainder of the post to learn more about how to thaw chicken in the microwave.

How To Defrost Chicken In Microwave(A Full Guide)

Chicken defrosts quickly in the microwave. You don’t need any particular skills to accomplish this, but even if the directions are simple, here are some tips and methods for properly (and safely) defrosting frozen chicken in the microwave.

Things You Should Know Before Defrosting Chicken 

• After defrosting chicken, always clean your microwave and utensils. We all know that raw chicken is unsafe to eat since it contains a lot of hazardous germs and is high in hormones. Raw chicken automatically contaminates your kitchen and equipment, as well as when you microwave it.

• Defrosted Chicken Must Be Cooked Shortly After Defrosting-You know the rules: once defrosted, frozen food cannot be frozen again. Since chicken is perishable and cannot be kept at room temperature for long, it is recommended to cook it immediately or cover it with plastic wrap or other safe measures and store it in the fridge for a maximum of 24 hours.
• Make That You Don’t Start The Microwave On The Incorrect Setting-This sort of error can happen to anybody (including me), but it may play a huge part in defrosting your chicken and even frying the flesh on the outside while the middle is still frozen, so make sure you push the defrost button.
• Defrosting Time Is Determined By Meat Weight- Before defrosting any sort of meat, weigh it using a kitchen scale to determine how long it will take to defrost. A pound of frozen chicken should thaw in approximately 10 minutes.
• If there is no defrost option, set the temperature to 20-30% power. If your microwave does not have a defrost function, lower the temperature to the lowest level or 20-30% power so the exterior of your chicken does not overcook.
• Keep An Eye On The Chicken As It Defrosts-critical It’s to keep a careful eye on the chicken while it defrosts in the microwave since you don’t want to overcook it. Stop the microwave timer every couple of minutes to observe the process.

[Related Article: Baked Chicken Recipes and Convection Ovens Go Together]

Defrosting Chicken Using Other Methods

Cold Water

Thawing frozen chicken in cold water is another common and simple method of defrosting frozen chicken. If you don’t need the chicken right away, put it in a plastic, waterproof bag and fill it with cold water. Eliminate any extra raw meat liquid after defrosting the chicken and before cooking it.

This process may take a little longer than putting your chicken in the microwave, but it is one of the safest ways to thaw any sort of meat, far safer than infecting the whole microwave with hazardous germs.

Hot Water

You may also thaw chicken using the same approach, but with boiling water. This is another fast and easy technique to thaw chicken, but avoid using boiling water since it can partially burn the chicken and transform its color from pink to gray in no time.

Put a complete frozen chicken or frozen chicken chunks in a zip lock bag, boil water, pour hot water into a large dish, and insert the chicken inside.

Be cautious not to allow hot water to enter the zip lock bag, since this might lead to bacterial development. You’ll have defrosted chicken ready for supper in no time.

The Refrigerator Method

Well, if I were organized enough to prepare my meals ahead of time so I could thaw chicken before supper. The refrigerator approach is the most secure way to thaw meat since it does not infect your living space.

Another advantage of this procedure is that it reduces bacteria development and keeps your meat fresh and safe to consume the next day. To be sure, the defrosting procedure is lengthy, lasting 24 hours. But, if you plan your meals ahead of time, this is a great option.

Note: Never thaw frozen chicken at room temperature since it might contaminate your kitchen countertop and perhaps your whole living environment.

Perishable items such as dairy products, eggs, and meat should never be kept at room temperature or directly in hot water for more than 2 hours, according to the USDA.

Related Questions And Other FAQs

Defrost Chicken In Oven 

Defrosting chicken in the oven isn’t the most practical or cost-effective method, but it can be done. Take the chicken from its plastic wrapping, set it in an oven-safe dish, and let the heat do its work. Be careful to keep an eye on the defrosting process so you don’t overcook the chicken.

Defrosting Chicken On Counter

One thing you should never do is thaw your meat at room temperature on the counter. This is a risky practice since it might infect your countertop and dry out your meat. Perishables should never be kept at room temperature for longer than two hours.

Is It Safe To Defrost Chicken In The Microwave

Yes. Defrosting any sort of meat in the microwave is safe as long as all plastic wrapping is removed from the meat before beginning the defrosting process and the defrost setting is used. When placing raw meat in the microwave, be sure to clean it.

How To Defrost Chicken In Water

To thaw the chicken in water, put it in a zip lock bag and fill a large bowl halfway with cold water. Put the chicken in the cold water for a couple of hours, or until completely defrosted.