Do You Have to Thaw Frozen Chicken Before Cooking It?
Question: We eat a lot of chicken in my family, but I sometimes forget to thaw it ahead of time. Is it okay to cook it in the oven directly from the frozen state?
Answer: It’s fine to cook frozen chicken in the oven (or on the stove top) without defrosting it first, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Bear in mind, though, that it’ll generally take about 50 percent longer than the usual cooking time for thawed chicken.
So, for instance, if you’re preparing chicken breasts and your recipe calls for 40 minutes of cooking time in the oven or on the stove top, you’ll need about an hour if you’re using frozen chicken.
To determine if your cooked chicken is safe to eat, be sure to use a food thermometer. When the chicken’s internal temperature has reached at least 165° F throughout, you can safely dig in.
See Also:
Can You Safely Eat Chicken That's Been Frozen For Two Years?
How Long Does Thawed Chicken Last in the Fridge?
Is It Necessary to Rinse Raw Chicken Before Cooking It?
