Defrosting chicken in the microwave or without it
Chicken meat is very beneficial for the human body. Besides being a source of protein, chicken is low in calories and lean. You can cook a bunch of different dishes from it, which will differ from each other due to different cooking technologies. It so happens that there is a need to cook something, and the chicken is only from the freezer, and there is no time to wait until it defrosts. Then some tips will come to the rescue on how to quickly defrost the chicken.
How long does it unfreeze
First, it is necessary to clarify that if you just leave the chicken to thaw in the room at normal above-zero temperature, then this process will take quite a long time - about several hours. In addition, this also threatens the fact that the product may soon deteriorate due to the multiplication of microorganisms in it. Therefore, it is worth using faster methods if there is an urgent need to cook something from chicken meat.
It should also be said that the most natural way is to defrost directly in the refrigerator compartment. Then the carcass will thaw, and at the same time will not deteriorate, as can happen when left just in the room. To do this, you need to place it in a deep bowl for draining water and put it in the refrigerator at night. With this option, it will best of all retain all its useful properties and will not lose its unique taste. It is also important that it is undesirable to freeze and thaw one product several times, because this greatly spoils it.
In the microwave
On average, when using a microwave oven for this procedure, the meat will defrost in 10-15 minutes, if its weight is 1.5-2 kg. If the weight is more, then, accordingly, the process will be a little longer.
In the oven
In the oven, the temperature acts on the carcass, which evenly penetrates into it. Therefore, when using a temperature of 180 degrees Celsius, it will take about 5-10 minutes to defrost the meat.
In water
Water can be used either cold or hot; if you soak the carcass in cold water, then it will really be used only after two to three hours. When using hot water, this figure is much better, because everything will be ready in 10-15 minutes. That is, if there is no time, then it is better to still take hot water.
Note. The lower the temperature at which defrosting takes place, the lower the risk that bacteria will begin to multiply in it, due to which it can deteriorate.
How to defrost chicken in the microwave
Probably, most often people use a microwave oven for the described purpose, which is found in almost every apartment. If we talk about how much to defrost chicken in the microwave, then it will take very little time.The disadvantage of this method is that the product may thaw unevenly - in one place it will already begin to cook, and ice may still remain in the other. It is best, of course, to divide the entire carcass into portions, which are then easier to defrost.
The sequence of actions is as follows:
- First, you need to place the carcass in a deep bowl, put it in the microwave and select the appropriate mode. Time to set - 2 minutes.
- After 2 minutes, take out a bowl, turn the chicken over to the other side and send again for two minutes.
- Such actions alternate until it completely thaws.
Important! You need to follow the process to notice when the individual sides begin to brown. If this happens, cover them with pieces of paper and put the bowl back in the oven.
Breast
Under these conditions, the breast thaws in about 10-15 minutes. You can also put it in there directly in a bowl of cold water. Periodically, you can take it out and turn it over.
Legs
The legs are the least meaty part of the chicken, so they take the least amount of time to thaw. It is important to carefully monitor the process so that the legs do not start to cook and do not lose their taste.
Fillet
To defrost a fillet, place it in a bowl and place it in the microwave. Next, you need to select the appropriate mode and set the timer for 2 minutes. Then it should stand for a minute and, if necessary, the procedure can be repeated.
How to defrost chicken quickly without a microwave
It so happens that people do not have a microwave, but an urgent need to cook a bird. Then the question arises - how to quickly defrost a chicken breast or other parts of a poultry without a microwave. Many ways have been invented for this, so there is plenty to choose from.
Note. A whole chicken will thaw much longer than individual parts. Therefore, when buying, it is better to cut it up and put it in separate packages.
The methods can be divided into those that take time, and emergency. If you have a little time, then you can apply the following methods:
- With cold water. To do this, you need to get the bag with the bird out of the freezer and in this form put it in a deep vessel with low temperature water. Thanks to the package, the taste of the future dish is preserved, and it does not absorb water. With this option, you will need to wait 2-3 hours, if any.
- With hot water. This method is not very useful due to the fact that the protein in the meat is already starting to clot. But, if you really need to defrost as soon as possible, then this method is also suitable. To do this, the carcass is immersed directly in a bag in a bowl of hot water. But when the water cools down, you need to change it right away. It will be possible to remove the contents from the bowl in 10-15 minutes.
- Using a multicooker. It is necessary to place the carcass on a special stand that is used for steaming. Pour water into the multicooker vessel and select the "Steam cooking" mode. Then put the bird there and turn it on for 10 minutes.
- In a double boiler. A great way to thaw the chicken for about 8 minutes. To do this, the unpacked carcass is placed on the upper section of the steamer, so as not to cook it, namely to defrost it. Water needs to be poured so that it takes up a quarter of the volume. Next, you need to select a heating mode in which the contents are exposed to temperature for 8 minutes intermittently.
- In the airfryer. This is a pretty good way, but not everyone can use it. First you need to put the carcass in the roasting sleeve.Set the device to 65 degrees and set the fan rotation in the middle mode. Set the timer for 6 minutes and open the lid a little. The meat will dry out a little, but it will defrost very quickly.
There is also a way that brings others together. With this option, the carcass is taken out of the package, placed in a bowl and sent to the refrigerator for 3 hours. Next, you need to put it in a bag, tie it up and send it to cold water for another 1.5 hours. At the same time, it will take at least five hours to defrost, but the bird will fully retain all the health benefits of its consumers.
Note! A fully thawed chicken must be cooked immediately. Otherwise, over time, harmful bacteria can begin to multiply in it and it will simply deteriorate.
Defrosting in the oven
An oven, unlike a microwave oven, is usually found in every home, because it is often used for baking and preparing second courses. And with this technique, the meat will thaw in just 10-15 minutes. It is also one of the most used ways to quickly prepare food for cooking. The sequence of actions to be performed:
- Take the chicken out of the freezer and be sure to remove it from the packaging.
- Take any glass bottle and pour ordinary clean water into it.
- Take a baking sheet, put a cutting board on it, and on top - a bottle of water.
- Place the bottom of the carcass on the bottle and send it to the oven in this form.
- Turn on the temperature 180 degrees. After 10-15 minutes, everything is ready for cooking.
In general, the method is very good, because in the oven the carcass passes perfectly with heat - evenly and from all sides, and it will definitely not cook and burn. The only drawback of this option is that if you hold it there a little longer than necessary, then it can start to cook inside, and dry out a little outside. That is why it is important to set the timer correctly for the specified amount of time.
Defrosting a chicken in the shortest possible time is very easy, and there are many ways to do this. Each person can choose the most suitable option for himself, depending on what equipment he has at home, and how long he can wait with cooking. You just need to adhere to all the tips and observe the time regimes.
Video: defrosting chicken in 10 minutes without a microwave