I know I can’t be the only one guilty of forgetting to take out the chicken for supper and find themselves scrambling to figure out a replacement meal. Or worse throwing it in the microwave to defrost only to have a still frozen but also cooked chicken. Well I have figured out a way to cook a whole chicken from frozen without it being dry or undercooked!
Safety First
First off let’s talk food safety.
Best practice is thawing your chicken completely in the fridge, then cooking it until it reaches the internal temperature of 180°F (according to Health Canada). Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check your temps and always wash all your utensils, cutting boards, and other surfaces with hot soapy water to prevent the spread of salmonella.
Even though you can cook your chicken this way, this is for these times when you are in a pinch. It is always better to thaw completely and then cook your chicken. This is meant to be a fast solution for those busy times when you just forgot.
How To Cook A Frozen Chicken
When cooking your chicken from frozen it will take about 1.5-2 times longer to cook through, so make sure you have enough time. This is not a quick process, but if you have the time this will work and save you from frantically figuring out a new plan for dinner.
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F and place your chicken into roasting pan of Dutch oven with a lid.
Oil and season your chicken as you would if it were thawed. I like salt, pepper and fresh lemon; but rosemary, thyme or garlic are also great choices.
Cover and bake for the allotted time. Bellow is a list of cooking times from frozen:
| Chicken Weight | Temp | Cook time thawed | Cook time frozen |
| 3-4lbs | 350 | 1 1/2 hours | 3 hours |
| 5-7lbs | 350 | 2 1/4 hours | 4 1/2 hours |
I like to remove the lid for the last 15-20 minutes to allow the skin to get brown and crispy. This is also a good time to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
Once the chicken is cooked let it rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the juices the settle . Then serve with your favourite sides and salads! You might even want to try my Vegetable Loaded Mac and Cheese (RECIPE COMING SOON!)
Leave a Reply