can I cook a chicken from frozen?

[shinyshoes]

I havent got anything out for tea tonight and most of the food in the freezer consists of mostly fresh meat.

We had pizza last night so I want something wholesome.

If I get the chicken out now, it will still be frozen by teatime so, can I cook it frozen?

I'm quite sensible when it comes to checking to see if its cooked properly.

Would you??

Theoretically, yes. As long as it's cooked through and the centre of the chicken reaches a temperature of above something like 78 degrees.

With a whole chicken it's difficult though as the outside will invariably be cooked way before the middle is safe. You have to cook at a lower temp for a much longer time.

Could you stick it in a bowl of water for a few hours then chop it up and cook it like that? Or microwave defrost the pieces before cooking?

I would but I would defrost on the window ledge rather than in the fridge like you are supposed to do.

I'd also cook it for a bit longer than you are supposed to as well.

I think if you can put it in running cold water for a while that will help it defrost quicker, seen a chef doing that before so guess it must be OK! If you've got to go out, try doing this for a while before you leave if you have time, then leave it in bowl of water as SOH suggests. Then when cooking just make sure you skewer to the deepest part of the flesh, check that the skewer is made nice and hot and that the juices run out clear, as you would normally.

if you get it out now, it'll be defrosted by teatime, just leave it on the side (rather than in the fridge)