Can You Marinate Frozen Chicken
on Apr 04, 2022, Updated Nov 19, 2023
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Chicken is a popular choice for meals throughout the week and on weekends. It can be flavored with spices, herbs, and marinades to make it extra tasty. If you prefer to marinate chicken to inject it with more flavor, you’ll be happy to know that even frozen chicken can be marinated.
Today we’re sharing some guidelines on how to safely marinate frozen chicken.
Why Marinate Chicken?
The flavor of chicken can be enhanced by marinating it first. It’s also an excellent way to make the meat more tender. The key ingredients in a marinade are oil, acid, and optional seasonings. The oil can be your favorite cooking oil, and the acid can be a citrus like lemon or lime, vinegar, or wine. Herbs and spices are often added for extra flavor.
Can I Marinate Frozen Chicken?
Yes, frozen chicken can be marinated directly from the freezer. Note that the marinated chicken will need to thaw completely before cooking.
Can I Marinate Chicken While Defrosting?
Yes, the chicken can marinate while it’s thawing in the fridge. As it thaws, the meat will absorb the flavors of the marinade. Never thaw chicken at room temperature as it can be exposed to harmful bacteria.
How To Marinate Frozen Chicken
- Prepare the marinade of your choice.
- Place the chicken in a resealable bag or an airtight container and add the marinade. If using a resealable bag, remove as much air as possible before sealing.
- Place the chicken in the fridge to thaw overnight.
- Turn the chicken when it’s partially thawed and add more marinade. You may want to drain the marinade you originally added and replace it with fresh marinade.
- When the chicken is completely thawed, discard the marinade, pat it dry, and cook as desired.
- Chicken purchased from the supermarket that has already been marinated can also be frozen, and then thawed and cooked.
Tips and Tricks for Marinating Frozen Chicken
- Prepare enough marinade so you can add more to the chicken as it thaws.
- Marinate the chicken when it’s fresh, and then freeze until you’re ready to use it. The chicken will absorb the marinade as it freezes, giving it extra flavor.
How to Freeze Marinated Chicken
- Cut the chicken into the desired pieces
- Place the chicken into a resealable freezer bag or a freezer-safe container and add the marinade
- If using a resealable freezer bag, remove as much air as possible before sealing
- Label the bag or container and freeze until ready to use
Is It Safe to Marinate Frozen Chicken?
Yes, frozen chicken can be marinated directly from the freezer. Be sure to defrost the chicken in the fridge to avoid the formation of harmful bacteria.
Can I Marinate Frozen Chicken Overnight?
Yes, marinating frozen chicken overnight will give it a chance to absorb more of the flavors from the marinade. The chicken must defrost in the fridge, never at room temperature, to avoid the formation of harmful bacteria.
Should I Thaw Chicken Before Marinating?
The thawed chicken will absorb more of the flavor from a marinade but if you’re pressed for time, it’s fine to marinate chicken when it’s still frozen.
How to Thaw Frozen Chicken
The best and safest way to thaw frozen chicken is in the fridge. However, to save time you can also defrost chicken in the microwave or by using the cold water method.
In the Fridge
Place the chicken into a container and leave it in the fridge until fully defrosted. To avoid any of the juices contaminating other products in your fridge, use a deep bowl or another sturdy container, and place it on the lowest shelf of the fridge. Defrosted chicken should be cooked within 1-2 days.
In the Microwave
A whole chicken cannot be defrosted in the microwave but smaller pieces can. Use the defrost setting of your microwave and check the chicken after 2 minutes. Continue to microwave, checking every 2 minutes and flipping to ensure it thaws evenly, until completely thawed.
Using Cold Water
- Place the chicken into an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
- Place the chicken into a large bowl or directly in the sink and cover with cold water.
- Turn the chicken every 30 minutes and replace the water with fresh cold water.
- When the chicken has completely thawed, cook it immediately as desired.
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How To Marinate Frozen Chicken (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken
- Marinade
- Resealable bag
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade of your choice.
- Place the chicken in a resealable bag or an airtight container and add the marinade. If using a resealable bag, remove as much air as possible before sealing.
- Place the chicken in the fridge to thaw overnight.
- Turn the chicken when it’s partially thawed and add more marinade. You may want to drain the marinade you originally added and replace it with fresh marinade.
- When the chicken is completely thawed, discard the marinade, pat it dry, and cook as desired.
- Chicken purchased from the supermarket that has already been marinated can also be frozen, and then thawed and cooked.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
