Freezing fried chicken is pretty easy and once it is packaged properly for the freezer, you can store it for up to 4 months. Below are the different steps needed to get your fried chicken ready for freezing. 1. Cool The Chicken
Cooking the chicken before freezing is a better idea to keep its freshness than storing the raw one. However, it is only safe enough to use this frozen chicken within 4 months after the date of freezing. Over the period, the quality of your chicken can deteriorate and be quite unattractive.
When stored securely, raw chicken can be kept in the freezer for up to nine months. On the other hand, cooked chicken can spend four months in the freezer before it’s past its flavor prime. Eating freezer-burned food won’t hurt you, it just won’t taste as good. Are These Prepared Foods Safe to Freeze? Chicken and Dumplings: Yes.
For an extra layer of protection (optional), you can use aluminum foil and cover the fried chicken that has already been covered with plastic wrap. 3. Freezer Bag/Container Once the chicken is fully wrapped, you can now place them inside a freezer bag or container.
Can you freeze fried chicken? Does fried chicken freeze well?
In short: yes. Frying helps a lot in releasing moisture and killing bacteria, which makes it easier for preserving food in the freezer. Make sure that your fried chicken does not stay at room temperature more than 30 minutes after frying, to avoid bacterial growth and compromise quality.
Just like freezing cooked chicken, the best way to do it is by putting it in an airtight bag or container, or simply wrap it very tightly in foil. Next, you place that wrap or container in a freezer bag. Finally, store the bag in the freezer and keep it at 0 F or below. Avoid air or gaps when packaging.
Assuming you followed the method laid out above, there should be no discernible difference in taste and quality. Nevertheless, some of the fried chicken’s original crispiness will be lost inevitably.
You can refreeze it as long as it has not gotten to a temperature higher than 40 F. It’s not recommended once reheated, as bacteria would have already gotten to it before you had a chance to store it again, apart from the ice crystals forming and degrading the texture quality.
In the fridge at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the fried chicken will be able to endure 3 or 4 days before spoiling.
If stored in the freezer at temperatures below 0 degree Fahrenheit, the fried chicken can last around 4 months with no considerable quality decrease.
This is the tricky part. When defrosting, there is a good chance that the chicken might get soggy and unattractive if not done properly. It’s not advisable to thaw it by leaving it on the counter at room temperature. You can either submerge the container in cold water or leave it in the fridge overnight. It might take longer depending on the size.
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