Defrosting raw meat

[doopyd]

Hi
Can I please have some helpful advice.
Growing up, my mother never cooked a 'meal.' We always had sandwiches or something that went in the microwave for dinner.

Now as an adult, I have learnt how to cook pretty much most things (including a complete roast dinner from scratch) 😊

Anyway, I bought too much chicken last week and I have put it in the freezer. I'm now planning for next week and want to use the chicken. Some of it is chicken breasts and some of it is diced chicken. What is the best way to defrost it? How long before I want to use it do I get it out of the freezer etc.

Sorry if these questions seem basic. Just don't want to waste food or make my family ill. Thank you!

I like to put frozen chicken in a Tupperware and pop it into the fridge a day before I need it - so if I need it for tea ill take it out the night before 😊 never been ill from doing this!

It depends on your schedule. I'm usually home during the day so take it out in the morning, leave it at room temperature for a few hours until almost thawed then put it in the fridge to finish off. If. I was going to be out during the day I would transfer it from the freezer to the fridge the night before.

The official advice is to defrost in the fridge 24 hours before you want to eat it.

I defrost on the counter top that morning usually, unless it's a whole chicken, and have never come to any harm doing that but I do play fast and loose sometimes.