How to Defrost Chicken in the Microwave Safely

Need to know how to defrost chicken in the microwave quickly? You’ve come to the right place!

We’ve got the full guide below on how to defrost it quickly and safely.

We’ve all been there; you need to get dinner on the table ASAP, but you’ve realised you forgot to get the chicken out of the freezer and it’s still solid as a rock. 

What can you do?

Before you give up and order a pizza, get your chicken out of the freezer and use your microwave defrost button!

While there are other ways to get the job done safely, defrosting chicken in the microwave is the best way to defrost chicken fast.

As improperly prepared or cooked chicken is a health hazard, it’s important to follow these easy guidelines to make sure your chicken is safely defrosted and cooked. 

It is perfectly safe to defrost chicken in the microwave, as long as you follow a few important guidelines.

Is it Safe to Defrost Chicken in the Microwave?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to defrost chicken in the microwave as long as you follow proper food handling techniques.

First, remove all packaging from the frozen chicken and place it on a microwave-safe dish or plate. Put it on the defrost setting on your microwave and remember to turn it every few minutes.

Once the chicken is defrosted using the microwave, it’s crucial to cook it immediately to prevent exposure to the “temperature danger zone,” a temperature range which causes increased bacterial growth on raw meat, as advised by the USDA.

How to Tell if Your Chicken is Defrosted

Using a sharp knife, cut a small slit in the thickest part of the chicken. Insert your finger – if the chicken is free of ice and is soft to the touch, it is likely to be defrosted and ready for cooking.

If it still feels solid or you can see ice crystals inside, continue defrosting, checking regularly until it is fully thawed.

How Long Does it Take to Defrost Chicken in the Microwave?

Defrosting chicken in the microwave using the defrost setting or 20-30% power takes approximately 8-10 minutes per pound of chicken (450g).

Defrost times may vary depending on weight and which cut of meat you are using. A whole chicken may take longer than the equivalent weight of chicken wings or chicken thighs.

Use the chart below to estimate how long your chicken will take to defrost.

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What Other Ways Are There to Safely Defrost Chicken?

The 3 best ways to defrost chicken are:

1. In the Fridge 

This is the most recommended and safest way to defrost chicken, however, it requires planning ahead. You’ll need to remember take the chicken out of the freezer the night before you need it! 

Place the chicken in a sealed bag or container and place on a plate on the bottom shelf of the fridge and defrost overnight. You can store your thawed chicken in the fridge for 24 hours after defrosting.

2.  The Cold Water Method.

Place the chicken in a sealed bag so the chicken doesn’t come into contact with the water, then submerge in cold water in a large bowl. Change the water every 30 minutes.

Do not use warm or hot water. 1 pound/450g chicken takes about an hour to defrost with this method, but do check the chicken and leave it longer if necessary.

Cook the chicken immediately after defrosting if using this method.

3. In the Microwave

Follow our simple steps to learn how to defrost chicken in the microwave.

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Defrosting Mistakes to Avoid

MISTAKE #1: Not cooking the Chicken immediately

One common mistake is not cooking the chicken immediately after thawing in the microwave. Once the chicken is at room temperature bacteria is able to multiply quickly. This greatly increases the risk of foodborne illnesses. Cooking immediately will help reduce this risk.

MISTAKE #2: Not removing the packaging

Plastic packaging is not microwave-safe and will either melt or cause chemicals to leach into the chicken. Be sure to remove all packaging and place the chicken on a ceramic or glass plate or dish.

MISTAKE #3: Defrosting the chicken on the kitchen counter at room temperature

Defrosting the chicken on the kitchen counter at room temperature is a risky practice that can cause bacterial growth and increase the chance of foodborne illness. Room temperature provides an ideal environment for harmful bacteria to multiply.

Left at room temperature, the outside of the chicken will defrost long before the inside, so bacteria will likely grow on the outside of the chicken while the inside is still partially frozen.

MISTAKE #4: Using a plastic container

Using a plastic container for defrosting chicken can pose its own safety risks, especially if the container is not microwave-safe. Depending on the materials, heating the plastic can cause harmful chemicals to leach into the chicken which would then be consumed upon eating.

Opt for microwave-safe containers such as ceramic or glass containers.

MISTAKE #5: Defrosting on the top shelf of the fridge

Placing the chicken on the top shelf of the fridge can result in cross-contamination when the juices from the chicken drip onto food below. Best practice is to keep chicken on the bottom shelf in a leek-proof container.

MISTAKE #6: Washing your chicken

Washing chicken before cooking is a common mistake that can increase the risk of cross-contamination, as chicken can easily splatter on surrounding surfaces and utensils.

Instead, using clean hands or wearing gloves, simply pat dry the chicken with paper towels before cooking to remove excess moisture. Thoroughly wash your hands after handling raw chicken.

MISTAKE #7: Defrosting chicken in hot water

Defrosting chicken in hot water may seem like a quick solution, but it can result in uneven thawing and bacterial growth. Hot water can cause the outside of the chicken to begin to cook while the inside is still frozen. Stick to safe defrosting methods such as in the fridge, cold water or microwave.

Follow our easy steps to learn how to defrost chicken in the microwave.