Help! Chicken defrosting rules

[BackseatCookers]

I took some chicken breasts out of the freezer around lunchtime to cook for dinner.

They haven't defrosted and are still partially frozen in the fridge. I have something else we can eat tonight.

AIBU to leave these chicken breast fillets in the fridge overnight to thaw and use them tomorrow evening for dinner instead?

I have some anxiety around food (obvs) so never sure what is me being over cautious and what is normal!!

BUT is there also a way of thawing them eg microwave that is safe so I can use them tonight? We would all love fajitas tonight but that would mean needing the still partially frozen chicken to be safe...

Any advice welcome!

I'd probs leave to defrost on the fridge until tomorrow!

I just defrost in the microwave. You're going to cook it so as long as you cook it through what could go wrong?

Actually, is it soft enough to cut up? Just cook it from partially frozen?

I have done and probably would microwave them on defrost setting, but they defrost better if left alone, so if you're anxious, just have them tomorrow.

Run them under cold water in the packaging and they’ll be defrosted in 15 mins. It’s how all restaurants defrost their meat.

I have often cut up partially frozen chicken and threw it straight away into a hot pan.

Personally, I would chop it all up into smaller pieces if it's soft enough to do so. Then put it into a sealed food bag and pop into a sink of slightly warm water. But I suspect someone will be on after me to say that's a bad idea! But I have frequently done this without issue.

Defrost in the microwave in short bursts or bits of it will start to cook. I leave chicken on the worktop to defrost and then put it in the fridge until it needs to be used

If they were going out on the day you froze them, I'd cook them today and not wait. If they were well within their date, you have 3 choices:

• defrost on a very low setting
• defrost in fridge overnight and use tomorrow
• If being used cut up, in say a stir-fry, then chop it up and leave out of the fridge. While you prep the veg, the pieces will defrost quicker cut up and be fine to use tonight.

I would place them inside your bra, first of all.

Then to get into the spirit for your fajitas, pour a long tequila sunrise, put on some mexican brass music and dance around the kitchen for a while. Hey presto! defrosted in no time.

Argh I don't know what to do 😭

There's no possible bad outcome from just leaving them in the fridge until tomorrow evening right?

Because we have some stuff for tonight so I can totally do that.

Just didn't know if when transferred from freezer to fridge there is a limited time to use it by?

Also MN is so great. I'm having a few glasses of wine to celebrate some good family news and knew if I asked even such a silly question I would get some help!

It will be fine.

I would place them inside your bra, first of all. Then to get into the spirit for your fajitas, pour a long tequila sunrise, put on some mexican brass music and dance around the kitchen for a while. Hey presto! defrosted in no time.

Marry me.

@AvalancheKit

brilliant.

We either run under /submerge in cold water or like other ,cut it up if only a little frozen still and cook straight away. As long as it’s piping hot all the way through then you'll be fine

They'll be fine in the fridge overnight.
That's what I'm doing with mine.

If they are defrosted on the outside if you cut them up, by the time you have prepared the rest of the fajita stuff thye will be ok to cook

Yes keeping them in the fridge is fine. Once defrosted use within 24 hours

They’ll be fine OP, I do this a lot. Also microwaving to defrost is fine too.

The only thing I’ve never tried is poaching frozen chicken breasts. Not sure if that works.

I'd leave them to defrost in the fridge, just don't leave them to defrost at room temp.

Always put mine in a bowl of cold water or just leave in the sink over night and fridge in the morning

I would just cut them up and cook them as usual, making sure they are done right through
Or go with the bra thing

I've left them defrosting in the fridge and made this deliciousness (that probably doesn't look delicious but really is) with some stuff I already had

I can't lie to you.

Despite having my delish meal now, I will have more wine.

I might do the bra thing.

There are Chicago town pepperoni pizzas in the freezer.

Anything could happen.