Why can't I refreeze thawed chicken?

[BathroomRemodel2021]

My local shop has these amazing prepared dinners but they said you can't refreeze as the chicken was previously frozen. Does anyone know what would happen if I did freeze them? Would the chicken taste awful or would I get sick?

I think there is a risk of bacteria growing in the chicken so it could make you sick.

Meat has bacteria in it, which multiply at certain temps. When you freeze the meat, the multiplication stops below a certain temp, but starts again during the defrosting process. The same would happen again during a subsequent freezing, meaning the level of bacteria would be too high.

So it's not a taste thing, it's a food safety thing.

If the chicken is raw, you can cook it then re-freeze because you've changed it's state.

Thank you both

The risk wouldn't be very high as long as you thoroughly cooked them after defrosting the second time. The risk would be there, though, as pps have said. The shop has to cover itself. If you have the type of cast-iron stomach that's impervious to food poisoning (I have this) and you aren't otherwise vulnerable you could chance it. I would.

Thanks @WeAreTheHeroes the chicken is cooked I believe or at least partially cooked

That rules that out then.

Even if you cook the raw chicken and freeze them yourself, it tastes different, frozen cooked food never tastes better than freshly cooked. So I don't understand why you want to freeze the amazing meal that they advice not to.
Just eat it.

I disagree with you there, but the issue around freezing this food is one of food safety.

The chicken won't be 'partially cooked'. That would be a fast track to food poisoning.