Culinary tricks: how to quickly defrost chicken fillet?
Chicken is a popular meat product that is used to prepare a wide variety of dishes.
Housewives often buy meat for future use so that they can always have it on hand. For long-term storage, freezing is used.
If you plan to prepare a dish, the chicken fillet must first be thawed using one of the many methods.
We'll tell you how to quickly defrost chicken fillet in this article.
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Quick defrosting methods
There are several ways to defrost chicken fillet. The simplest option is natural thawing. But with this method you will have to wait several hours for complete defrosting. In cases where time is of the essence, quick defrosting methods are suitable.
In water
To defrost chicken meat in water, you will need:
- a thick plastic bag that completely fits the fillet (the best option is with a zip fastener);
- large bowl;
- warm water.
Procedure:
- Place the frozen pieces in a bag and tie the edges tightly or use a zipper.
- Pour warm water into a bowl.
- Place the meat in the bag in the water.
- Leave for 1 to 3 hours (the duration of treatment depends on the size of the piece).
An alternative is to fill a bowl, pan, or even the sink with it, and place the fillets in the bag there.In order for defrosting to proceed evenly, it is advisable to get a lot of water - the piece of meat should be completely immersed.
This video will show you how to defrost chicken in water:
In the microwave
Using a microwave will defrost the product quickly enough. Procedure:
- Place the fillet in a microwave-safe container.
- Set the microwave to Defrost mode.
- Set the processing time to 3-5 minutes.
- Turn the piece over to the other side.
- Again select a time of 3-5 minutes.
- Continue until the product is completely defrosted.
If the microwave does not have a “Defrost” mode, you should select the lowest possible power value.
This video will show you how to defrost chicken in the microwave:
In a water bath
A water bath is one of the possible, and at the same time gentle, ways to defrost fillets. The purpose of the method is to steam the meat so that it melts.
To complete the task you will need:
- large saucepan;
- small saucepan;
- hot water.
Procedure:
- Pour hot water into a large saucepan, filling it about ?.
- Place on the stove, turning on the heat.
- Place a smaller pan inside.
- Place the fillet in a small saucepan.
In the oven
To defrost in the oven, the fillet must be freed from cellophane. The oven is heated to a low temperature (up to 160-180? C). After this, the heating is turned off. Frozen meat in a container is placed on a wire rack. The door is kept closed.
In a slow cooker
For defrosting using a multicooker you must adhere to the following rules:
- remove the meat from the polyethylene;
- pour some water into the flask;
- place the fillet on the plastic stand that comes with the device and is intended for steaming;
- set the “Steam cooking” mode;
- As it warms up, you need to turn the fillets over so that defrosting occurs evenly.
Which way is better?
When choosing a method for defrosting chicken meat, it is advisable to give preference to gentle methods that allow maximum preservation of nutrients in the product.
If you don’t have time to wait, and the meat needs to be defrosted urgently, express processing methods that give quick results are suitable.
What meat should not be defrosted?
If stored for a long time or improperly, chicken fillet can spoil even in the freezer. In this regard, it should be remembered that You should not defrost poultry meat in the following cases:
- very long storage in the freezer, more than a year;
- spots on the surface of the fillet - this may indicate a violation of storage rules and the onset of spoilage;
- heterogeneous significant freezing of ice - indicates re-freezing or incorrect freezing;
- unpleasant smell, mold, uncharacteristic color - the meat is definitely spoiled.
6 recommendations
Defrosting chicken fillet will be the best way, if you adhere to the following expert advice:
- Do not try to speed up defrosting by using temperatures that are too high. The quality of the meat and its taste will be reduced, and the defrosting itself will be uneven.
- To ensure uniform defrosting, it is advisable to turn the meat during the process.
- A large frozen piece will defrost more slowly than several individual fillets. For faster thawing, it is better to pack the meat in small parts in advance, before placing it in the freezer.
- Already thawed meat should not be re-frozen, as this will reduce its taste and lose useful substances.
- When placing meat in the freezer, it is advisable to mark the freezing date on the packaging. This will avoid delays.
- If the fillet is defrosted outdoors or in the refrigerator, then the meat should first be placed in a deep container. This is because water will be released during defrosting and there needs to be a place where it can accumulate.
Conclusion
Frozen chicken fillets can be thawed in a variety of ways, including using household kitchen appliances. But even in its absence, meat can be prepared quite easily for cooking.