Quick defrost and you're ready to go!

  • Place FROZEN chicken on microwave rack or trivet so that meat does not sit in thawed juices. Cover loosely with waxed paper. Use "defrost" or 50% power to thaw chicken in 8-10 minutes per kilogram (3 - 5 minutes per pound).
     
  • NEVER leave chicken unattended to thaw in the microwave. Turn and separate pieces as the chicken begins to thaw, leaving some space around them to ensure EVEN defrosting.

Microwave Cooking Times for Chicken

Microwave Cooking Times (approximate)

Microwave without turntable: Turn micro dish 1/4 turn halfway through cooking time to redistribute cooking action.

Microwave with turntable: turn chicken pieces 1/4 turn or mix casserole halfway through cooking time.

1-2 pieces 4-6 min. full power

3-4 pieces 7-10 min. full power

7-8 peices 15-18 min. full power

quarter chicken 12-15 min. 50% power

half chicken 15-18 min. 50% power

whole chicken 35-40 min. 50% power

Looking Good.... tasting delicious.

  • For best results in the microwave- remove skin from the chicken before placing in the microwave as the cooking is so quick the skin will not have time to crisp.

"Brown" chicken in the Microwave?

  • It's easy! Brush chicken pieces with Kitchen Bouquet (browning agent), or cook in a sauce, coat with bread crumbs or sprinkle with lemon pepper, paprika or crushed dried herb mixtures. Try it. It works!

Cooking Tips

  • For EVEN cooking, arrange chicken parts on a microwave rack or trivet spoke fashion, with the thickest parts to the outside and the thinner parts towards the centre.
     
  • NEVER cover chicken with plastic wrap in the microwave - it will hold in too much moisture causing the chicken to stew and become stringy.
     
  • Loosely cover with waxed or parchment paper while cooking to minimize splattering and help maintain an even heat distribution. Don't tuck the paper in, just lay it over the trivet.
     
  • Always allow the full standing times recommended in the recipe. After that, check for doneness. If the chicken is not quite done, return to the microwave for a minute or two and let stand for half a minute before checking for doneness. When pierced with the tip of a knife, the meat should be tender and juices run clear without any trace of pink.