As long as the chicken wasn't in direct contact with the water and stayed cold, I'm sure it was fine. Ultimately, the nose knows. Chicken that was bought frozen is usually better than the "fresh" stuff sold in stores that's often been dragged through a bleach solution - unless you buy air-chilled from WF, most "fresh" chicken is going to stink.

Anonymous wrote:why are people still defrosting chicken in water?

It's faster!

What about marinating it in teriyaki sauce or some other marinade, maybe that would help when you put it back in the frig.

why are people still defrosting chicken in water?

I've done this many times before. It's probably fine.

Anonymous wrote:Would have kept it and cooked it next day. I've never had a problem with this.

Yeah, that seem a bit wasteful. I understand not wanting to get ill, but it would have been okay.

Would have kept it and cooked it next day. I've never had a problem with this.

Once it's thawed, season it, and it will be safe and extra tasty the next day.

I would have kept it, personally

Sure, put it in the fridge and cook it the next day. We end up doing this all the time,

I did this last week with ground beef and when I opened the package it was CLEAR the beef needed throwing out. I can only imagine the same is true for chicken, but when in doubt, open it and give it a smell. You will know right away if it is off.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't even eat chicken that was sitting out on the conter for hours.

+1 as you said .. When in doubt...

I wouldn't even eat chicken that was sitting out on the conter for hours.

You're supposed to use chicken thawed in water immediately, I believe.

I was going to make chicken for dinner yesterday. I had put the frozen chicken in the refrigerator over night to defrost. Next day, it was still a bit frozen, so around 2pm, I put it in cold water (in its original package), and left it on the counter. Dinner time came around and we ended up eating out due to schedules. I wasn't sure if I could re-refrigerate that chicken so I tossed it out. As they say...when in doubt, toss it out.

But my DH said it was probably ok. I didn't want to risk it. DH has a stomach made of steel. I do not, and neither do the kids. What do you think? Did I just waste a whole packet of chicken?