How to Store Chicken in the Freezer, The Right Way!

On our property, we raise chickens.  That means a couple times a year we harvest our chickens and freeze them for consumption.  Typically this means we freeze them. 

Storing chicken in the freezer is a great way to keep it fresh and makes it easy to use in meals throughout the year. But if you don’t do it correctly, your chicken could end up being unsafe and unappetizing. 

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Can You Freeze Raw Chicken?

Yes, you can safely freeze raw chicken! Just make sure that when you are freezing it, you are using an airtight container or Ziploc bag and that it is no more than two inches thick. That will ensure that your chicken stays as fresh as possible while it’s in the freezer.  You can also shrink wrap your chicken to avoid extra air from penetrating.

When packing the chicken into the container or bag, make sure not to pack too tightly; this will help reduce freezer burn.  Also, remove as much air as possible.  Air is the enemy to frozen chicken.

How Do You Prepare Chicken for the Freezer?

Preparing chicken for freezing is super simple.  We always wash it thoroughly and pat dry.  Once it is nice an clean, add it to your Ziploc bag.  Remove extra air.

Make sure to label the containers and bags with the date they were frozen so you know when they need to be used by.  Always start with the oldest dates first.

Can I Freeze Chicken in a Ziploc Bag?

Yes, you can definitely freeze chicken in a Ziploc bag. We've found using the name brand bags is most important.  Off brand bags don't typically have the same thickness and we get freezer burn from these.

Make sure to not overfill your bags.  Add enough chicken to fill the bag and zip easily.  

Is It Better To Freeze Chicken Raw Or Cooked?

It really depends on what you plan to use your chicken for.  Cooked chicken can save you time and energy.  You just open the bag and through the chicken in a dish like homemade chicken noodle soup.

However, I personally don't like the taste of pre-cooked chicken.  We just find time to thaw our chicken before use.  You can pull it out a day or two before you plan to use it and place it on a plate in your fridge.

Really, either way works, you just need to try both and decide for yourself.

How long can you keep chicken in the freezer?

Depending on where and how you store it, frozen chicken can last anywhere between 9 months and a year. To ensure that the best quality of chicken is maintained for as long as possible, make sure to tightly wrap the chicken before putting it in the freezer for storage. 

Best way to thaw chicken?

There are a couple methods.  Pull out the chicken the night before use and place on a plate in the refrigerator.  This allows time for it to thaw.

Second, run frozen chicken under cold water or place in a bowl of cold water.  Allow it to sit 5-10 minutes.  Change water.  Repeat this process for 20-30 minutes.  Don't use hot water because this will cook your chicken.

Never leave raw meats on the countertop to thaw.  This puts food in the danger zone and can cause bacteria to grow.

Properly storing poultry in the freezer can save time and money while also ensuring safety and freshness when cooking later on down the line. Make sure that whatever containers or bags you use are airtight and labeled with dates so they don’t get lost among other items in your freezer; this will help extend their shelf life significantly! 

Knowing how to store poultry properly can help keep food from going bad prematurely so that everyone can enjoy delicious meals together without worry! 

Now don't forget to log how many bags of chicken you froze in your canning journal.  That way you always know how much you have and when you need more.

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