Can you freeze chicken breast?

[kez17]

If I buy like a pack of 4 breasts and only want to cook one can I freeze the other 3 and cook them from frozen? Or do I have to let them defrost? Or are they not freeze able?

[katedaniels]

Yep, chicken breast is fine to freeze. I let them defrost before I cook them, not sure if you have to but think it's best to for best result.

[kez17 in reply to katedaniels]

How long do you defrost it for?

[katedaniels in reply to kez17]

Depends on the temperature of the place you're defrosting it in. A chicken breast can defrost within 2 hours on a kitchen bench in warm weather, you can also defrost it in a microwave you'll have to check the operator instructions for time on that as it varies machine to machine. What I prefer to do is stick them in the fridge overnight then they're ready for an evening meal.

[ceejayblue in reply to katedaniels]

When you freeze them, freeze them separately wrapped in a double layer of foil. Defrost them in the fridge. In hot weather do not defrost anything on a work top, even if covered over and especially not chicken!

[secondhandrose2 in reply to katedaniels]

Hi, I think that defrosting on the kitchen surface is ALWAYS potentially dangerous for chicken - most instructions say defrost in a cool place in order to avoid food poisoning so though you may be lucky I wouldn't risk it!

[Diana]

Best to defrost them, a portion is roughly half a breast if you are female, average breast 200 g, portion 100g.

[fenbadger]

chicken being a risky meat, yes, do freeze but defrost overnight in the fridge as suggested, than make sure it's cooked really well. I generally cook it then freeze, but that's no good if you want to grill.

[Jsports]

Always be careful with chicken! Never defrost in 2 hours on a counter in heat. Generally defrost overnight ull find you will lose weight better coz your planning ur meals daily and being prepared makes you stick to it.

Another good way is bulk cooking and portioning off. For instance last week I cooked 7 chicken breasts (marinade overnight, sear both sides in a frying pan one minute each side, wrap in cling film then oven for 10 mins, you get amazing chicken!) cook with rice/sweet potatoe and veg all in bulk, portion off into containers and freeze, boom! All of your weeks cooking done in one day.

[kez17 in reply to Jsports]

Thank you!

Let's say I cook 5 chicken breasts and freeze them all wrapped seperately in foil... How long should I leave them to defrost? How many hours until I can eat it? Obviously I will leave it to defrost in the fridge but for how long before I can eat it?

[Jsports in reply to kez17]

Always defrost chicken overnight in the fridge ready for the following day. I believe it's like 6 hours+ but might want to check it. I would just do the above overnight though, never mess with chicken

[Jon_boy]

I always take out of freezer into fridge the night before. I have also found the fact there is chicken (or pork chops, or sausages or whatever product) defrosting means I don't take the takeaway option on the way home from work as it needs to be used up.