Defrosting should always happen slowly because sudden temperature changes will cause the outside layers of your meat to get tough while leaving pockets under those outer layers still frozen solid.
The best way to defrost chicken thighs is to place them in the fridge, sealed tightly with plastic wrap to lock in moisture and flavor. You will need to defrost chicken thighs for about two days on average before they are completely defrosted.
Read on to discover how to defrost chicken thighs best. We’ll cover all of the steps to thaw frozen chicken safely and discuss the different methods to do so.
How Do I Defrost Chicken Thighs?
You will need to defrost chicken thighs for about two days on average before they are completely defrosted. There are ways to defrost them if you are short on time, but the ideal way to defrost chicken thighs is slowly.
Step One
Seal your chicken thighs tightly with plastic wrap to lock in moisture and flavor.
Step Two
Defrost your chicken thighs in the fridge for as long as possible but no less than two days.
Step Three
Once defrosted, remove the bag from the refrigerator and allow it to sit on a plate at room temperature until you are ready to cook them. You may use this time to season or marinate your chicken thighs if desired.
The best way to defrost frozen chicken thighs is slowly by letting them defrost in their sealed plastic bags inside of your refrigerator– do not take shortcuts!
What Is The Quickest Way To Defrost Chicken Thighs?
You can also defrost chicken thighs by placing them into cold water that is running relatively slowly – this should take around four hours or so (depending on how big your pieces of meat are).
Another way you may defrost frozen poultry is by using a microwave, but always make sure the microwave is cleaned before and after to prevent any cross-contamination.
Related Questions
Can You Cook Chicken Thighs From Frozen?
You can cook chicken thighs from frozen if you are short on time. To cook chicken thighs from frozen:
- Place frozen chicken thighs in a single layer on baking sheets.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
How Long Can Frozen Chicken Sit Out at Room Temperature?
It is safe to defrost chicken thighs at room temperature. Be sure not to leave chicken at room temperature for longer than two hours.
How Long Can I Keep Frozen Raw Chicken?
Raw chicken may be safely frozen for up to one year as long as it has been refrigerated beforehand and stored correctly after freezing.
Conclusion
You can defrost chicken thighs by placing them in the fridge, sealed tightly with plastic wrap to lock in moisture and flavor. It takes about two days on average for a package of frozen chicken thighs to be completely defrosted.
To speed up the process, you can place the wrapped meat under cold water or put it in a bag submerged into an ice bath until thoroughly thawed out; this should only take around 30 minutes – 1 hour, depending on how much you are cooking at once.