How To Freeze Chicken (Cooked and Raw)
This article will teach you how to freeze chicken (cooked and raw) in easy steps. Freezing chicken helps save money and reduce food waste. It is fast and easy to make, wear gloves if you do not like touching raw chicken.
Equipment
- Ziploc freezer bag
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 lb Chicken breast
Instructions
Individual method
- Remove the chicken from the packet and wrap it individually with a clingfilm, parchment paper, or a small-size freezer bag.
- Label your freezer bags with the freezing date and time.
- Place the individually wrapped chicken in a larger freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as you can. Place the bag flat in the freezer and freeze for 6 months or 1 year.
Alternatively, you can flash freeze the chicken (cooked or raw)
- Place the chicken (raw or cooked)on a lined baking sheet making sure they are not touching, you may wrap it individually or not, and freeze for about two hours. Once frozen, move them to Ziploc freezer bags.
- Remove as much air as possible from the bag and freeze for 6 months or up to 1 year. This method ensures that the chicken remains frozen separately even when you store them in a freezer bag or an airtight container.
Bulk freezing method
- Freeze the chicken in its original packaging. the only downside is that it is not space-saving which might limit the amount you would be able to freeze at a time.
Notes
Tips
- Wash your hand thoroughly before and after handling poultry to avoid contamination and most importantly, Salmonella.
- Cut chicken breast into cubes or cutlets before freezing
- Cut whole chicken wings into wingettes or drumettes before freezing
- It is important to label your freezer bags with the freezing date and time.
- Do not refreeze the chicken if it is already thawed.