Chicken can be conveniently and safely thawed in the refrigerator. Allow approximately three to nine hours for parts, and 24 hours for a whole chicken.

If time is short, you can defrost either using the microwave or cold water. When thawing chicken in the microwave, be sure to check your microwave manufacturer's instructions for defrosting a chicken. To defrost a chicken using cold water, place the poultry in an airtight bag and thaw in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold; cook the chicken immediately.

Do not thaw chicken at room temperature, even if frozen inside. The surface of foods can warm up quickly, allowing bacteria to grow.