A Whole Chicken?!
A whole frozen chicken can be incredibly intimidating. Don't worry - we've got your back.
How to Defrost Chicken in the Fridge
The best and safest way to defrost chicken is in the fridge. Unfortunately, this method is also the slowest and requires advance planning. The day before you plan to cook your chicken, transfer it from the freezer to the fridge to let it thaw slowly, for at least 24 hours. Make sure to place the raw chicken in a rimmed container or bowl, at the bottom of your fridge to minimize risk of drips onto your other food as it thaws.
How Long Can Thawed Chicken Stay in the Fridge?
Once it’s defrosted, chicken will be good in the fridge for up to 2 days. Store in an airtight container on the lowest shelf of your refrigerator to prevent cross-contamination. Chicken juice on your lettuce is a great way to get food poisoning.
How to Break Down a Whole Chicken
Breaking down your chicken into individual cuts might make more sense for your kitchen. Checkout this tutorial video on how to process a whole chicken:
No time to thaw? No problem!
Try these methods of cooking straight from frozen:
Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot): Place the frozen bird on a trivet or directly in 1 to 2 cups of water or broth, season generously, and cook on high pressure for about 40 to 50 minutes.
Oven Roast in a Dutch Oven: Submerge the wrapped chicken in cool water for 20 minutes to peel off packaging/giblets, pat dry, season, and bake covered at 425°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Slow Cooker: Add water or broth, season the exterior, and cook on high for several hours until the meat falls off the bone.
How to Check Chicken Doneness Without a Thermometer
While a probe thermometer is the best way to determine doneness - it should register 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh before coming out of the oven - there are a few other ways to check.
First, follow the general rule of 15 minutes for every pound of chicken, a four-pound chicken is going to take at least an hour. Second, give the drumsticks a shake; they should wiggle quite easily. Lastly, you can insert a knife into the area between the breast and the thigh, cutting into the meat to check that the juices are clear (it’s best to do this test right out of the oven in case the chicken needs to go back in to cook for a bit longer).
For food safety, it is vital that your chicken is cooked thoroughly, and that you wash your hands, surfaces and untensils well throughout the cooking process. Chicken wraps also get really smelly really quickly, so consider taking out the trash when you're done with prep.
What to Make with Cooked Chicken
Shredded Meat: Use the cooked, shredded meat for tacos, enchiladas, rice bowls, or chicken salad.
Comforting Soup: Simmer the bones and leftover meat scraps with carrots, celery, and onions to make a rich homemade broth and noodle soup.
Casseroles & Pies: Mix the deboned meat with vegetables and a creamy sauce under a pastry or biscuit crust for a hearty weeknight bake.
