Title: Safely Cooking Frozen Chicken – Tips from an Expert
I take full advantage of my freezer, stocking it with a variety of items beyond the usual ice cream and popsicles. From frozen veggies and steaks to portioned leftovers and homemade broth, a well-stocked freezer helps me quickly whip up a meal when my pantry and fridge are running low. It also helps minimize waste.
Despite my freezer being packed with various items, there’s one thing that gives me pause: frozen chicken. While I am comfortable cooking fresh chicken, I have concerns about safely preparing frozen chicken. To address my apprehensions and utilize the chicken thighs in my freezer, I turned to Lisa Yakas, a seasoned microbiologist at the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), for guidance on cooking frozen chicken.
Cooking frozen chicken safely is simpler than it appears, according to Yakas. The key difference is that frozen chicken requires a longer cooking time compared to thawed chicken. “When cooking frozen chicken, expect the cooking time to be about 50 percent longer than recommended for fully thawed or fresh poultry,” she explains. “While not inherently unsafe, be mindful of the extended cooking duration.”
There are no major culinary restrictions when cooking frozen chicken, except for avoiding placing frozen meat directly in hot oil for frying. “Frozen chicken can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as in a skillet, oven, or Instant Pot,” Yakas mentions. For skillet or oven cooking, she recommends arranging the pieces evenly for uniform heat distribution.
When it comes to safely handling frozen chicken, focus on sanitation, thawing, and temperature:
1. Wash hands before and after handling frozen chicken, and thoroughly sanitize the area where the chicken was prepared.
2. Either cook the chicken fully frozen or completely thawed to avoid uneven cooking.
3. Ensure the internal temperature of the cooked chicken reaches at least 165°F, especially when dealing with frozen raw chicken.
Yakas emphasizes, “If you detect any unpleasant odors with the chicken, discard it. When uncertain, it’s best to dispose of it.” Remember to follow these steps for safe and enjoyable frozen chicken dishes.
For more details, please refer to the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES.
