How long to thaw a chicken?

[Joan]

I have a small chicken in my freezer I bought on sale a few months ago. I wanted to make it for dinner either Wed or Thur, but am unsure when to take it out of the freezer and put it in the fridge. I know the last time I went to thaw some foods, I had to wait an extra day to use them, but at the same time I don't want to thaw it out to soon and risk it spoiling.

 

Thank you in advance for your time

[Midnightmom]

You can take it out the morning you want to cook it and defrost it by putting it in a tub or a bowl and allowing cool water to run over it. If you want to defrost it in the fridge I would give it about two days (assuming that there is a bag of "innerds" in the cavity). Either way you defrost it it should be fine in the refrigerator for 2-3 days before cooking it.

 

*Disclaimer: not a food/safety expert. Just speaking from personal experience.

[Daelith]

Yep, like Midnightmom said. 2-3 days in the refrigerator and you should be fine.