I love IQF (individually quick frozen) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I always keep a bag of them in the freezer. They're handy, healthy, versatile, and (almost) everyone loves them. However, sometimes you're pressed for time and they're still... FROZEN. I do not like thawing meat in the microwave because no matter how careful I am, they always seem to get cooked on the ends before they're thawed in the middle. Icky. I also know it says you can cook them from frozen (which I have done in a pinch), but what if you want them marinated? If you have about an hour before you need to start cooking, you can thaw AND marinate them at the same time!
1. Put chicken breasts in a gallon size resealable bag. If they don't all fit in a single layer, use more than one bag.
2. Pour in your marinade of choice, making sure chicken is completely coated.
3. Seal bag, pressing out as much air as possible.
4. Place in sink full of COLD water.
5. Walk away.
In about an hour, the breasts will be completely thawed, marinated and ready to cook. This method is also much safer than thawing in the microwave because parts of the chicken do not get heated into the "danger zone". Be careful not to let them sit much after they have thawed though. If you decide to not use them right away after all, remove them from the water, dry off the bags, and plop them in the fridge. They can sit there for another couple of days.
Another trick I use is when we're going camping. Follow steps 1-3, then put the bag(s) in the ice chest (on the bottom). They will act as additional "ice" for a couple of days, and you'll have marinated chicken to throw on the grill when you're tired of burgers and hot dogs!
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