How to Defrost Chicken Safely: 4 Methods That Actually Work
Defrosting chicken seems simple, but doing it the wrong way can allow harmful bacteria to multiply before the chicken ever reaches the stove. Whether you forgot to take dinner out of the freezer or you're meal-prepping for tomorrow, there are several safe ways to thaw frozen chicken.
The best way to defrost chicken is in the refrigerator, but when you're short on time, cold water and the microwave can safely speed things up. And in some cases, you don't need to thaw the chicken at all.
Here’s how to defrost chicken safely, how long each method takes, and what you should never do with frozen chicken.
What Is the Safest Way to Defrost Chicken?
The safest methods are:
In the refrigerator — best overall method
In cold water — best when you need it within a few hours
In the microwave — fastest thawing method
Cook it from frozen — useful when you forgot to thaw it
According to USDA food-safety guidance, chicken should not be thawed on the kitchen counter or left sitting at room temperature.
How to Defrost Chicken in the Refrigerator
Refrigerator thawing is the easiest and safest method because the chicken remains cold throughout the entire process.
Keep the chicken wrapped or place it inside a covered container or dish to prevent raw juices from dripping onto other foods. Put it on a lower refrigerator shelf, away from ready-to-eat foods.
How Long Does Chicken Take to Defrost in the Fridge?
Plan on approximately 24 hours for smaller packages of chicken. Large packages or whole chickens can require considerably longer.
| Chicken | Approximate Thawing Time |
|---|---|
| 1–2 chicken breasts | About 24 hours |
| Package of chicken thighs | About 24 hours |
| Package of chicken wings | About 24 hours |
| Large package of chicken | 1–2 days |
| Whole chicken | 1–2+ days |
The exact time depends on the size, thickness and amount of chicken.
One major advantage of refrigerator thawing is flexibility. Once raw chicken has completely thawed in the refrigerator, USDA guidance says it can generally remain refrigerated for an additional 1–2 days before cooking.
How to Defrost Chicken Quickly in Cold Water
Forgot to move the chicken into the refrigerator last night? The cold-water method is your next best option.
Keep the chicken in a leak-proof package or sealed plastic bag. Submerge it completely in cold tap water.
Change the water approximately every 30 minutes so that it stays cold.
Small packages may thaw in an hour or less, while larger packages can take several hours.
Can You Use Warm Water to Defrost Chicken?
No. Don't try to make the process faster by using warm or hot water.
The outside of the chicken can warm into temperatures where bacteria multiply rapidly while the center remains frozen.
Stick with cold water.
Do You Have to Cook Chicken After Defrosting It in Water?
Yes. Chicken thawed using the cold-water method should be cooked immediately after thawing.
How to Defrost Chicken in the Microwave
The microwave is the fastest option when dinner needs to happen now.
Remove packaging that isn't microwave-safe, place the chicken on a microwave-safe dish, and use your microwave's defrost setting according to its instructions.
Stop periodically to turn, separate or reposition the pieces so they thaw more evenly.
Some areas may begin warming or even partially cooking before the rest of the chicken has completely thawed. That's why microwave-defrosted chicken should be cooked immediately.
Can You Defrost Chicken on the Counter?
No. Leaving frozen chicken on the counter may seem harmless because the center stays frozen for a long time. The problem is what's happening on the surface.
The outside warms much faster than the center. That means the exterior can reach temperatures favorable to bacterial growth while the inside is still frozen.
As a general food-safety rule, perishable foods shouldn't remain at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour when temperatures are above 90°F.
Can You Leave Frozen Chicken Out Overnight?
No. Chicken left at room temperature overnight should not be considered safely thawed, even if you're planning to cook it thoroughly afterward.
Use the refrigerator instead when you want chicken to thaw overnight.
Can You Cook Chicken From Frozen?
Yes. In many situations, chicken can be cooked directly from frozen.
USDA guidance indicates that cooking frozen chicken may take approximately 50% longer than cooking thawed chicken.
The important part is making sure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
What Temperature Should Chicken Reach?
Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Check the thickest portion with a food thermometer. For bone-in chicken, avoid touching the bone with the thermometer probe because that can affect the reading.
Can You Put Frozen Chicken in a Slow Cooker?
This is one situation where you shouldn't simply toss frozen chicken into an appliance and wait.
For food-safety purposes, thaw chicken before putting it into a slow cooker. The slow heating process can leave frozen meat at unsafe temperatures for too long.
If you're planning a Crock-Pot chicken dinner, move the chicken to the refrigerator the day before.
Can You Refreeze Defrosted Chicken?
It depends on how you thawed it.
Chicken thawed safely in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although you may notice some loss in quality.
If you used the microwave or cold-water method, cook the chicken before freezing it again.
How Long Does Defrosted Chicken Last in the Fridge?
If chicken was thawed in the refrigerator, cook it within approximately 1–2 days after it has completely thawed.
If you aren't going to use it in time, you can refreeze it.
Chicken thawed using cold water or the microwave should be cooked immediately rather than stored raw for another day.
How to Tell If Defrosted Chicken Is Bad
Thawing chicken safely doesn't necessarily mean the chicken was good when it went into the freezer.
Discard chicken if you notice obvious signs of spoilage such as an unpleasant or unusual odor or significant changes in texture or appearance.
And don't taste raw chicken to determine whether it's safe.
When there's uncertainty about how long chicken has been sitting at unsafe temperatures, the safer option is to throw it away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does chicken take to defrost?
In the refrigerator, allow roughly 24 hours for many smaller packages. Cold-water thawing can take roughly an hour to several hours depending on the amount and thickness. A microwave can thaw individual pieces much faster.
What is the fastest way to defrost chicken?
The microwave is usually the fastest safe thawing method. Cook the chicken immediately afterward.
Can I defrost chicken in hot water?
No. Use cold water, keep the chicken sealed, and replace the water every 30 minutes.
Can I thaw chicken overnight?
Yes, but thaw it in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
Can I cook partially frozen chicken?
Yes, provided you use a cooking method appropriate for frozen chicken and verify that the entire piece reaches 165°F internally. Expect it to require more cooking time.
How long can frozen chicken sit out?
Don't use room-temperature thawing as a defrosting method. Perishable food generally shouldn't remain at room temperature longer than 2 hours, with that limit dropping to 1 hour above 90°F.
Final Thoughts
If you have time, defrost chicken in the refrigerator. It's the simplest method and gives you the most flexibility once the chicken has thawed.
When you're in a hurry, use cold water or the microwave instead. Just remember that chicken thawed using either of these faster methods should be cooked right away.
Whatever method you choose, skip the countertop and hot water, and cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F.