Question

The best way to thaw frozen chicken breasts is to place them: a) In a sunny spot to defrost quickly. b) In a container of warm water. c) In the refrigerator at 41°F (5°C) or lower. d) On the kitchen countertop for a few hours.

Answer 1

Thaw frozen chicken breasts in the refrigerator at 41°F (5°C) or lower, or using cold water or microwave methods. These methods keep food in temperatures that do not promote bacterial growth.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best way to thaw frozen chicken breasts, as advised by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), is in the refrigerator at 41°F (5°C) or lower. Option c) is hence correct. This is because cold temperatures hinder bacterial growth, ensuring the food remains safe to consume. While freezing at -2 °C or below can halt microbial growth, the dormant bacteria can become active again once thawed.

Thus, thawed foods must be treated as fresh perishables. Other safe methods include thawing in a water bath with cold water changed every 30 minutes or defrosting in a microwave. Both these methods maintain conditions non-conducive to bacterial growth. Using a sunny spot or leaving food on the kitchen countertop may result in unsafe temperature ranges, which might encourage microbial growth.

Learn more about Safe thawing methods