Plan on about a full day in the refrigerator for a 4- to 5-pound chicken (FSIS: 24 hours per 5 pounds). In sealed cold water, a 3- to 4-pound bird takes about 2 to 3 hours, with the water changed every 30 minutes.
- In the fridge
- About 24 hours per 5 lb, so…Safest; plan ahead
- Cold water
- About 2-3 hours for a 3-4 lb…Change water every 30 min
- Microwave
- YesCook right away
- Cook from frozen
- YesAbout 50% longer
Thawing times from USDA FSIS. Checked .
How to thaw a whole chicken: every safe method
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | About 24 hours per 5 lb, so about a full day for a 4-5 lb bird | Use within 1-2 days after thawing |
| Cold water | About 2-3 hours for a 3-4 lb bird | Seal in a leak-proof bag, submerge in cold tap water, change the water every 30 minutes, and cook immediately. |
| Microwave | OK | Use the defrost setting and cook immediately; parts of the food may start to cook and warm into the bacteria growth range. |
| Cook from frozen | OK | Safe to cook from frozen; it takes about 50% longer than thawed or fresh (FSIS). |
After it's thawed
Fridge-thawed: use within 1-2 days after thawing. Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking (some quality loss); food thawed in cold water or the microwave must be cooked before refreezing, and anything left out over 2 hours should not be refrozen.
Never thaw it this way
- On the counter / at room temperature: The outer layer warms into the 40-140°F (4-60°C) danger zone, where bacteria multiply rapidly, while the center is still frozen.
- In hot water: Same problem: the surface sits in the danger zone. FSIS's cold-water method uses cold tap water changed every 30 minutes.
Questions people ask
How long does a thawed chicken last in the fridge?
Cook raw poultry within 1 to 2 days of thawing it in the refrigerator.
Can I thaw a chicken on the counter?
No. The outside can warm into the 40-140°F (4-60°C) danger zone while the center is still frozen.
How long to thaw a whole chicken?
Plan on about a full day in the refrigerator for a 4- to 5-pound chicken (FSIS: 24 hours per 5 pounds). In sealed cold water, a 3- to 4-pound bird takes about 2 to 3 hours, with the water changed every 30 minutes.