How to Safely Defrost Chicken: 3 Safe Methods

There are only three safe ways to defrost chicken: in the fridge, in cold water, or in the microwave. And if you’re really short on time, you can cook it straight from frozen. What you should never do is leave it on the counter or run it under hot water, because the outside warms up enough for bacteria to grow while the inside is still frozen.

Here’s how each method works, how long it takes, and what to do once the chicken is thawed.

Why it matters

Raw chicken can carry bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter. Freezing doesn’t kill them, it just puts them on pause. Once chicken warms above 40°F (4°C), they can start multiplying again, and the zone between 40°F and 140°F (60°C) is where they grow fastest. Safe thawing is all about keeping the chicken cold until it goes into the pan. These are the same methods the USDA recommends in its guide to safe defrosting.

Defrosting chicken at a glance

Method	How long	Cook when?	Can I refreeze raw?
Fridge	About a day per pound, whole chickens longer	Within 1 to 2 days	Yes
Cold water	About 1 hour per pound	Right away	No, cook first
Microwave	Minutes	Right away	No, cook first
From frozen	About 50% longer cooking	Now	Not applicable

1. In the fridge (the safest way)

Put the frozen chicken on a plate or in a container on the bottom shelf, so no juices drip onto other food. Then leave it.

• Time: even small packs, like a pound of boneless breasts, need about a full day. A whole chicken can take 1 to 2 days.
• After thawing: cook it within 1 to 2 days.
• Refreezing: chicken thawed in the fridge can go back in the freezer without cooking, although the texture may suffer a little.

This is the method to use whenever you can plan ahead. Take tomorrow’s chicken out of the freezer tonight.

2. In cold water (faster)

1. Keep the chicken in a sealed, leak-proof bag. If the bag leaks, the meat soaks up water and gets watery.
2. Put it in a bowl or sink full of cold tap water, fully covered.
3. Change the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold.

• Time: about 1 hour per pound for small packs. Boneless breasts are often ready in an hour or less.
• After thawing: cook it straight away. Don’t put it back in the fridge for later.

3. In the microwave (fastest)

Use your microwave’s defrost setting and turn or separate the pieces as they soften. Some edges may start to cook, which is why chicken thawed this way must be cooked immediately.

4. Cooking chicken from frozen

It’s completely safe to cook chicken without thawing it. It just takes about 50% longer. This works best for pieces you’re simmering or baking, like a chicken tagine or soup. It’s harder with a whole chicken or thick breasts on a grill, where the outside can burn before the middle is cooked.

How NOT to defrost chicken

• On the kitchen counter
• In hot or warm water
• In the sink without a bag
• Outside, in the car or anywhere you can’t control the temperature

All of these warm the outer layer into the danger zone while the center is still frozen.

After it’s thawed

• Keep raw chicken separate. Use a separate board and knife, and wash your hands, the board and the sink afterwards.
• Don’t rinse it. Washing raw chicken splashes bacteria around the kitchen. Cooking is what makes it safe.
• Cook it through. Chicken is done at 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. The safe minimum temperature chart has the numbers for other meats.
• Check it’s still good. A sour smell, a slimy feel or a gray-green color means it’s time to throw it away.

Need ideas once it’s thawed? Try our Moroccan chicken kabobs, a chicken tagine with onions and raisins or a quick chicken stir fry.

Defrosting chicken FAQ

How long does it take to defrost chicken in the fridge?

About a day for a pound of boneless pieces, and 1 to 2 days for a whole chicken.

Can I defrost chicken on the counter?

No. The outside warms up long before the inside thaws, and that’s where bacteria grow.

Can I refreeze chicken after thawing?

Only if it was thawed in the fridge. Chicken thawed in cold water or the microwave should be cooked first, and then you can freeze the cooked dish.

Is it safe to cook chicken from frozen?

Yes. Just plan for about 50% more cooking time and check it reaches 165°F (74°C) inside.

How long does thawed chicken last in the fridge?

1 to 2 days. After that, cook it or throw it away.

Can I thaw chicken in hot water to speed it up?

No. Hot water warms the outside into the danger zone. Stick to cold water, changed every 30 minutes.

The easiest habit to build: move tomorrow’s chicken from the freezer to the fridge tonight. And if you batch cook, our guide to freezing cooked rice pairs well with it.