Defrosting Chicken

[cecil39]

I took a large chicken out of the freezer on Monday thinking to cook it today, but things have changed and I now won't need it till Friday, its been in the extra cold section of the fridge and has still got some ice crystals in it, do you think it will be ok to keep it till Friday?

[boxtops]

I'd finished defrosting it then cook it - you can freeze it again once it's cooked. Chicken's too dodgy to freeze and refreeze when it's raw.

[dizmouk2009]

I would use it on Friday. If it has been in the fridge from taking it out of the freezer then it probably won't of thawed properly anyway. Before you cook it just smell it, if it smells ok then swing it in the oven.

[ummmm]

I agree. If it hasn't even thawed properly I'd just keep it in the fridge.

[dizmouk2009]

The world has gone mad nowadays with food. A fresh chicken will last in a fridge for up to about 3-4 days. If it's frozen and you put it in the fridge it is still going to take a couple of days to properly thaw.

[boxtops]

I was always taught to defrost a big chicken in a basin of cold water, to hurry along the defrosting so you can cook it as quickly as possibly - I wouldn't want it lurking in the fridge any longer than this.

[dizmouk2009]

Smell it and fell it before you put it in the oven. If it smells funny and feels slimey then it's probably gone. If you don't mind eating it cold then do as boxtops said and cook it now and put it in the fridge (once cooled) and it will last another few days.

[anneasquith]

id cook it today.

[dizmouk2009]

*feel' it even.

boxtops: I'm not sure I'd like to stick my chicken in cold water. There even more chance of bacterial getting at it. Either way when you slam the beauty in the oven at 180 - 200 degrees celcius any bacteria will be killed. I think people have different methods to things and if that one works for you then there's nothing wrong with that.

[mazie]

According to lots of sites on the internet...2 days in the fridge... I'd cook it prior to Friday cecil. It might be OK but a bit of a risk.

[dizmouk2009]

It would also depend on whether it was frozen before or not. If not how long was it in the fridge for before it went in the freezer?

[gingejbee]

It also depends on whether the chicken was bought frozen....or bought fresh and put in freezer at home. Too many variables to give a specific answer....so, it all depends!

[dizmouk2009]

If you do decide to cook it today, make sure it is properly defrosted because by the sounds of it it seems it is still frozen.

[anneasquith]

one word..............sam-n-ella :)

[dizmouk2009]

It could get even more complicated. Cecil might not even want the chicken for friday if plans change again. What a dillema eh.

[boxtops]

Take it out of the fridge so it thaws through tonight, and cook it immediately. If you don't want it on Friday, freeze the cooked meat straight away.

[dizmouk2009]

anneasquith: salmonella is way over rated. I suppose I've just been lucky because I'm defrosted, chilled for a week, refrosted, defrosted, cooked, reheated, reheated and reheated chicken on more occasions than I can remember and I've never need ill. I've always made sure I've had the heat up really high and when it has been out the fridge or freezer than it is air tight.

[dizmouk2009]

I don't even bother waiting for a chicken to defrost. I just slam it in the oven (covered with foil) frozen.

Stick the oven on at 150 for an hour then crank the baby up to 200 for another 2 hours. I'm really not picky with meat. I don't mind it a little dry.

[anneasquith]

LOL I think cecil has disappeared :)

[boxtops]

You're lucky then, diz - all the guidance is not to cook it from frozen. However, I too eat it, take it out, put it back, etc., and I've never been ill (touch wood) - but I wouldn't mess with a part-thawed chicken.

[dizmouk2009]

There is guidance on chickens to cook from frozen - generally it takes 50-60% longer to cook. Althout in this case like you have said that is irrelevant as this chicken isn't playing by the rules. It's in a state of part thaw. Naught chicken.