Best How to Quickly Defrost Chicken

Refrigeration Method:

Place your frozen chicken in the refrigerator. Make sure it’s sealed in a bag or container.

Leave the chicken in the refrigerator for around 24 hours to defrost. For larger pieces of chicken like breasts, it may take up to two days.

Avoid leaving the defrosted chicken in the refrigerator for more than two days before cooking.

Cold Water Method:

Seal your chicken in a leak-proof plastic bag if it isn't already.

Submerge the sealed chicken in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every half hour to keep it cold.

Small pieces of chicken may defrost in an hour or less, while larger pieces or whole chickens may take 2-3 hours.

Microwave Method:

Place your chicken on a microwave-safe plate.

Use the defrost function on your microwave to defrost the chicken. Check your microwave’s manual for instructions specific to your model.

Cook the chicken immediately after defrosting as parts of the chicken may start to cook during the defrosting process.