Steaming Frozen Chicken: Safe And Quick?

Cooking chicken breast from frozen is a convenient way to prepare a quick and easy meal. It is safe to cook chicken from frozen, according to the USDA, and it can be done in a variety of ways, including baking, poaching, pan-frying, and steaming. However, it is important to note that cooking frozen chicken takes longer than cooking thawed chicken, and it is not recommended to use a slow cooker or microwave for food safety reasons. When steaming frozen chicken breast, it is recommended to cook it for at least twice the amount of time as you would for thawed meat to ensure it is cooked properly.

Can you steam frozen chicken breast?

Yes, you can steam frozen chicken breasts. However, it is important to note that cooking frozen chicken will take longer than cooking thawed chicken. According to some sources, it will take at least twice as long as cooking thawed meat, while others state that it will take around 50% longer.

To steam frozen chicken breasts, you can use a bamboo steamer or a steaming rack over a large pot of boiling water. Make sure the water does not touch the chicken. You can also add lemon slices, herbs, and garlic cloves to the steamer basket to boost the flavour. Cover the steamer and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes for boneless chicken breasts, and 20 to 25 minutes for bone-in breasts.

Alternatively, you can defrost the chicken breasts in the microwave before steaming. To do this, arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer on a dish, cover with plastic wrap, and add 1/4 cup of water. Use your microwave's defrost setting based on the weight of the chicken. If your microwave does not have a defrost setting, cook in 2-minute intervals on low power and check the progress after each interval. After defrosting, let the chicken stand for 5 minutes before steaming.

How long does it take to cook frozen chicken breast in a steamer?

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breasts in a steamer. Steaming chicken breasts is a keto-friendly technique that can produce moist, tender chicken ready for slicing and including in pasta dishes, salads, soups, wraps, sandwiches, or served as is with an avocado dip or herb sauce.

When steaming frozen chicken breasts, you can expect the cooking time to be about 50% longer than if the chicken were thawed. The average unfrozen chicken breast weighing 5-7 ounces usually takes 20-30 minutes at 350°F, so for a frozen chicken breast, you can expect a cooking time of 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breast.

• Frozen chicken breasts (boneless), 4 to 6 ounces: 30 to 45 minutes
• Frozen chicken breasts (bone-in), 6 to 8 ounces: 45 to 60 minutes

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of steamer you are using. It's always best to use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that your chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

How to steam frozen chicken breast

Yes, you can steam frozen chicken breasts. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparation

Before you start steaming, you can brine the chicken breasts using 1/4 cup of kosher salt per quart of water for 15 to 30 minutes, covered in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can marinate the chicken breasts in a combination of soy sauce, fish sauce, chopped garlic, chilli flakes, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil for up to two hours.

Steaming

Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in a bamboo steamer or steaming rack over a large pot filled one-third of the way with boiling water. Make sure the water does not reach the chicken. Cover the steamer with a lid and simmer on a rolling boil for 20 minutes. For bone-in breasts, allow approximately five minutes longer. Remove the steamer and let the chicken rest for five minutes.

Boosting Flavour

To boost the flavours, dress the base of the steamer basket with lemon slices and herbs such as basil, thyme, or marjoram. Lay the chicken breasts on top and cover with another layer of lemon slices and herbs. Scatter a few crushed garlic cloves among the breasts as well. Place the steamer basket over a pot of boiling water and steam for 15 to 20 minutes.

Cooking Time

Steaming frozen chicken breasts will take at least twice as long as steaming thawed meat. Therefore, if it usually takes you 20 minutes to steam thawed chicken breasts, set aside 40 minutes to steam frozen chicken breasts.

Safety

According to the USDA, it is safe to cook chicken from frozen, but it will take about 50% longer to cook. An instant-read thermometer should be used to ensure the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

Is it safe to cook frozen chicken?

According to the USDA, it is safe to cook chicken straight from frozen. However, it's important to note that the cooking time will be about 50% longer than it would take to cook thawed chicken. For example, an average-sized thawed chicken breast weighing 5-7 ounces usually takes 20-30 minutes at 350°F to cook. So, for a frozen chicken breast, you're looking at a cooking time of 30-45 minutes.

Best Practices for Cooking Frozen Chicken

When cooking frozen chicken, it's recommended to cook it at a slightly lower temperature than you would for thawed chicken, between 350 to 365°F. This helps to balance out the increased cooking time. It's also important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F. Using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to ensure that the chicken is cooked to the safe minimum internal temperature.

Safe Methods for Cooking Frozen Chicken

There are several safe methods for cooking frozen chicken, including:

• Oven baking
• Stovetop simmering
• Air frying
• Instant Pot

Unsafe Methods for Cooking Frozen Chicken

It is unsafe to cook frozen chicken in a slow cooker or microwave. A slow cooker does not reach a high enough temperature quickly enough, allowing the meat to remain in the temperature danger zone (between 40°F and 140°F) for too long, which provides an opportunity for bacteria to grow. Microwaves, on the other hand, cook too quickly, meaning the interior of the chicken may not reach the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F before the rest of the chicken is done.

Steaming Frozen Chicken

While it is possible to steam frozen chicken breasts, it is not recommended, as it can be difficult to ensure that the inside of the chicken reaches a high enough temperature to be safe for consumption. If steaming frozen chicken, it is important to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

How to avoid dry frozen chicken

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breast in a steamer. However, it is not recommended as steaming frozen chicken can lead to dry, rubbery meat or unsafe eating conditions.

Defrost the chicken before steaming

It is best to defrost the chicken before steaming to ensure even cooking and food safety. You can defrost the chicken in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave based on the weight of the chicken. If your microwave does not have a defrost setting, work in 2-minute intervals at a low setting and check the progress after each interval.

Use the right equipment

Use a bamboo or stainless-steel steaming basket that fits your pot with plenty of clearance. The basket should have small holes to allow steam flow without letting the chicken juices drip into the water. Use a tall, narrow pot made of stainless steel, aluminum, or ceramic. Ensure the basket can fit inside with a tight-fitting lid, leaving at least 1-2 inches of clearance on all sides.

Prepare the chicken properly

Pat the chicken dry before steaming to allow the steam to penetrate efficiently. Cut boneless chicken breasts into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate. For bone-in chicken, choose similarly-sized pieces or place larger pieces towards the center of the basket. Season as desired before steaming. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer with space between each piece to allow steam circulation.

Steam the chicken to perfection

Always use a food thermometer to check for doneness, as appearances can be deceiving when steaming. Chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part of the meat. Prevent overcooking by removing the chicken from the steamer once it reaches the target temperature. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after steaming to let the juices redistribute and ensure a moist, tender texture.

Boost the flavors

To enhance the flavor of your steamed chicken, dress the base of the steamer basket with lemon slices and herbs such as basil, thyme, or marjoram. You can also scatter some crushed garlic cloves among the chicken breasts.

By following these tips, you can avoid dry frozen chicken and enjoy moist, tender, and flavorful steamed chicken breast.

Frequently asked questions