No Time To Defrost? Frozen Chicken is a Tasty Way to Cook in a Hurry 

Did you know you can cook frozen chicken breasts without thawing? This is a great option for cooking chicken that can help alleviate mealtime stress. Instead of fretting that you didn’t get the chicken out to thaw, simply pop it in the oven frozen. You can marinate and season frozen chicken too. When cooking frozen chicken the cooking temperature doesn’t vary from your original recipe — just account for some extra cooking time and lower temperature. 

Of course, the thing we love best about freezing chicken is that it’s a great way to cut down on food waste. Do Good Chicken™ cuts down on food waste by feeding our chickens nutrient-rich chicken feed made from grocery surplus. Having chicken on hand in the freezer means you’ll always be prepared for last-minute meals and waste less because the freezer keeps chicken fresh and delicious till you’re ready to use it.

Read on to discover the best way to cook frozen chicken and then try it yourself in some of our favorite Do Good Chicken recipes.

How Do You Cook Frozen Chicken? 

Cooking chicken from frozen is easier than you think! Here’s how: 

1. Preheat the oven.

When cooking any kind of frozen chicken, anticipate doubling the cooking time of cooking from thawed. This method works for any cut of frozen chicken (skin on, bone-in, whole). For example, six to eight ounce chicken breasts take about 40-45 minutes to bake, while thawed chicken breasts take about 20 minutes.

2. Place the frozen chicken in a single layer.

Break apart the frozen chicken breasts and place them on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish in a single layer. This will help the frozen chicken breasts bake more evenly. 

3. Choose a chicken preparation.

While you can season the chicken breasts while they’re completely frozen, it’s best to let them bake for 15-20 minutes before adding seasoning. This way, the seasoning can better adhere to the meat. This point is also the best time to spread on any sauces like barbecue or garlic herb butter. 

4. Lower the Temperature.

Lowering the temperature will stop the outside of your chicken from drying out before the inside is cooked. Baking at 300 degrees will ensure a more even cooked piece.  

5. Bake the chicken.

Place the chicken into the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes. The chicken is done when the juices run clear or a meat thermometer placed in the thickest part of the chicken breast reaches 165℉.

6. Let it rest.

If you’re pressed for time you can dig right in, but if you have five extra minutes, it’s good to let the baked, frozen chicken breasts rest. Letting meat rest right after cooking allows the meat to retain its juices, keeping it moist and tender.

Can You Marinate Frozen Chicken? 

Yes, you can marinate frozen chicken. However, to maximize the benefits of marinating, you may want to consider the following: 

First of all, the point of a marinade is to allow the chicken breasts to absorb the flavors, for several hours or sometimes overnight. When marinating chicken that’s frozen, it’s harder for the meat to take in the flavors,and as it defrosts the marinade dilutes, making it less flavorful. 

For best results when marinating frozen chicken breasts, add about 30 minutes to an hour to your prep time to allow the chicken to thaw a bit and absorb the marinade blend before baking.

Pro tip: Marinate your chicken before you freeze. Any homemade or bottled marinate will work into your meat as it freezes, and you might even get a better end product.

Tips for Freezing Chicken Breasts 

When it comes to chicken, the  freezer is your friend. If you have chicken in the fridge that you may not use immediately, don’t toss it. Save money and avoid food waste by popping it in the freezer to use later. While you could freeze chicken indefinitely, for taste and quality reasons frozen chicken breasts should only be frozen for up to 9 months, while whole chickens can last up to a year. 

You can put any of our unopened Do Good Chicken packages into the freezer as-is. To protect against freezer burn, wrap the packaged chicken in aluminum foil or place in a reusable, airtight plastic bag before freezing (taking care to recycle or reuse the foil or bag when you’re ready to cook the chicken).

Recipes for Using Frozen Chicken 

Ready to get cooking? Here are some Do Good Chicken recipes that would work great with frozen chicken! 

Grilled Jamaican Jerk Wings are a perfect candidate for using Do Good Chicken Wingettes and Drumettes. Simply separate the chicken before placing it in the tasty marinade. Allow it to thaw slightly as it marinates in the fridge for about an hour before cooking according to recipe instructions. 

In a rush? Do Good Chicken Thighs will thaw and cook more quickly from frozen and are especially delicious when basted in the Thai flavors of this Thai Roasted Chicken Thighs recipe.

Did you know frozen Do Good Chicken Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts are as easy to cut into bite-size pieces as thawed chicken? That’s why they’d be great to use in this recipe for Carolina BBQ Chicken. Simply cut into bites, grill or bake, and then smother in sauce. 
Frozen or thawed, Do Good Chicken is delicious for dinner — or any time!

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