Inexperienced cook needs help! How long do I cook this?

Question

So I bought 0.37lb of boneless breaded chicken breast from the meat counter at the grocery store. I have a few questions:

- I froze the meat as soon as I got home. The sell by date is Nov. 27.... Is this still good to eat?

- I have the oven on 450 and the timer set for 20 minutes... Is that long enough to cook this?

I'm trying here, but I need help! Thanks!

Note * I actually bought the meat on Nov 27....it's just been sitting in my freezer since*

Answer 1

Since you bought the chicken on Nov 27 and froze it, it should be fine, but you should still do a "smell test" to make sure it doesn't smell bad.

Chicken is usually cooked at 350 degrees. You can speed it up some by resetting to 375 deg, but I think 450 would be too high.

You didn't say if you had defrosted it today in order to cook it. The one piece alone in a dish should cook in 30min if it's defrosted, but if it's frozen, that changes the cooking time.

Since you're inexperienced, you may not have a meat thermometer, and I recommend you get one soon, so you can test. Sometimes meats don't cook in the time you think they will. It's best to always test the temperature. I had a whole chicken once that I cooked in a recipe I had done many times. After 1 1/2 hours, it was still almost completely raw, and it was really embarrassing as it was my first time cooking if for my in-laws.

Answer 2

It's not hard, especially with pictures of every step to refer to, and those directions are very thorough. If you read the whole recipe right through to the end, you'll see that it gives a chart showing what the internal temperature of the meat is at different stages of doneness, so buy a meat thermometer because using one is the only reliable way to test for doneness in a roast. If you follow those directions I can't see how you can go wrong. Cooking doesn't get much easier than that recipe. The prep would take me about 10 minutes. They show that lamb roast done so it still has some pink in it. I prefer lamb much more well done than that and you might prefer it more well done too unless you're a huge fan of rare meat. Have nice sharp knife to carve with if you cook it less than very well done.

Answer 3

Meat will last between 3 and 6 months once you freeze it. If the meat has any signs of freezer burn on it, throw it out. 450 seems a little high to cook chicken, but if your recipe calls for it, then I guess it's okay. The average cooking temperature is 350, but if you cook at a higher temperature, your cooking time will be reduced. Just keep an eye on it.

Answer 4

If it was me, I'd turn the temperature down to 350-400 and cook it longer. If you want to be sure that it's cooked, take the thickest piece out and cut it in half, if it's still a smooth pink it's not cooked. If it's in strands of meat, but has a bit of a pink tone, it's almost ready. If it's all white, it's done. Baked chicken is really easy to dry out, so if it's not too late cook it in a covered dish with just a little bit of water in the bottom.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

Answer 5

Make sure the meat is thawed, you can't cook frozen meat properly.

Then bake the chicken at 350 for about 30 minutes.

Anytime you freeze a meat before the "use by" date, just make sure you thaw and cook it within a few months. Your meat is definitely fine.

It would be even better if you have a meat thermometer- if you do, then make sure the chicken cooks to an internal temperature of 165, regardless of what time or temperature you cooked it at.


Hope this helps~

Answer 6

Thaw the meat and cook at 350 for 30 to 40 mintues. The meat is fine to eat as long as it has been frozen.

Answer 7

You must thaw it first. 450% seems excessively high for the cooking temp, but I don't know whether you use Fahrenheit or celsius.I would cook it at 160c. Of course it's still good if it's been in the freezer.It would be easier to cook just one breast in a frying pan on the stove top(in oil).Probably 20-30 mins, depending on size.Turn over mid way of cooking time.

Answer 8

Yes you can still use it since you froze it right away, but better to defrost it first. Don't cook it at 450...it will burn. Defrost it (in the microwave if you are pressed for time) and cook it at 375 to 400 for about 35 minutes or less if it is very thin.

Answer 9

Chicken is still good. Make sure you have the chicken thawed and lower your temp to 350* for 35 min or until the juice comes out clear. Oh and cover it with foli so it don't dry out.

Answer 10

450 is a little too hot for one little chicken breast. 350 would be plenty hot enough for 30 min.