Can I defrost chicken in the microwave tonight and leave it in the fridge over night?

Question

I have frozen chicken that I want to defrost so I can cut it up tonight. Tomorrow morning I want to stick it in my slow cooker, but I don't want to have to cut up chicken in the morning. Is it a bad idea to defrost the chicken and then leave it in the fridge overnight?

Answer 1

The best way to thaw anything is in the refrigerator. Another way, is to soak it in cold water for approximately 1 hour.
The third way, is to defrost it in the microwave. All of those are totally acceptable ways to defrost. Once defrosted it is fine to cut it up and leave it in the refrigerator. It will be good to go

People do that all the time if they have a slow cooker they want to set before they go to work. So, whatever is the easiest is usually the best. :)

Answer 2

It's "safe" health-wise, but I have never successfully defrosted a meat in a microwave. It cooks it at the same time, and if you have a whole chicken, like it sounds like you do, some parts will cook and be tough as nails while other stuff won't even be defrosted.

Try to defrost it all in the fridge if you can, or buy another chicken for $5 and use that and save this one for another time with more advanced notice. You'll have better results.

And if it's a rock-hard frozen whole chicken, it won't defrost in the fridge overnight. You should just buy another for best results.

Answer 3

Micro's are strange, although they say defrost they actually cook. If you get the chicken into the fridge as fast as possible hopefully there won't be time for any bacteria to grow and whatever that does will be killed off during slow cooking tomorrow......too many possibilities. Go for it. I would just let it thaw in the sink overnight and cut up in the morning, like take the extra few minutes of getting up earlier.

Answer 4

If you're going to toss it in the slow cooker in the AM, then you will be ok defresting in the M/W tonight and storing in the fridge until morning.

I would suggest you thaw as little as possible tho ugh... and be sure to use the Defrost setting so the chicken doesn't get too hot and start to cook.

Answer 5

No! It is not OK to defrost in the microwave and then put it back in the fridge. Once you start microwaving it, you need to cook the chicken right away. The microwave starts the cooking process and if you put it back into the fridge you are greatly increasing your chances of getting food poisoning.

Put the chicken in your fridge to defrost. Better to be safe then sorry.

Answer 6

I think you're supposed to defrost it IN the fridge because at that temperature the food does defrost but won't grow bacteria. You can probably find some information online or in a cookbook on how long it would take...my guess is overnight

Answer 7

A very bad idea, I would unwrap it an put it in cold water for an hour or so, then stick it in my fridge covered overnight. If it is still a little frozen in the middle, place it in a large bowl in the sink and run cold water over it real slow. It will be perfect in like a half hr or less.

Answer 8

There is no problem with defrosting then refrigerating. My only hint is to leave the chicken partially frozen for cutting up. This makes it easier to handle than thawing fully. It will continue to thaw as you cut it up and in the refrigerator overnight.

Answer 9

No it would be fine, but here is what I do. I know they say not to, but I defrost it on my count for 1-2 hours. While it is still a little frozen I cut it up. It is actually easier to cut it while still semi-frozen then thawed. Enjoy your meal.

Answer 10

Sure, but don't listen to anyone about leaving it sitting on the counter to thaw over night. NO NO NO ! Your way is good.
Hope the meal is too