Cooking frozen chicken directly in soup can be a convenient shortcut for whipping up a hearty meal. However, proper timing is crucial to ensure the chicken is cooked through while retaining moisture and flavor. This comprehensive guide provides tips and techniques for successfully cooking frozen chicken in soup.
Why Cook Frozen Chicken in Soup?
Cooking frozen chicken in soup offers several advantages:
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Convenience: No need to thaw the chicken in advance. Just grab from the freezer and add directly to the pot.
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Flavor infusion The long, slow cooking allows the chicken to absorb flavors from the soup broth and vegetables.
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Tender texture The gentle simmer helps break down collagen in the meat, resulting in very tender chicken
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Less waste: Using frozen chicken ensures none goes bad before you can cook it.
Key Considerations When Cooking Frozen Chicken
To achieve optimal results, keep these factors in mind:
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Temperature: Maintain a steady simmer around 185°F to 205°F. This allows even cooking without over-boiling.
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Liquid level: The chicken must be fully submerged in liquid to cook evenly. Add more broth if needed.
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Size of pieces: Smaller cuts like boneless thighs or breasts work best. Larger pieces take much longer.
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Food safety: Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow this process for perfectly cooked frozen chicken in soup:
1. Prepare the Soup Base
Start by simmering aromatic vegetables and broth to build a flavorful foundation.
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Sauté onions, carrots, celery in olive oil until soft.
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Add chicken broth, tomatoes, herbs and seasonings. Bring to a gentle simmer.
2. Add the Frozen Chicken
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Rinse chicken under cool water to remove any ice crystals.
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Add chicken pieces directly to the simmering soup.
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Ensure fully submerged in liquid. Add more broth if needed.
3. Adjust Cooking Time
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Expect to cook 50% longer than thawed chicken, usually 1-1.5 hours extra time.
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Smaller boneless breasts may take only 30-45 mins longer. Larger cuts can take up to 2 hours.
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Stir occasionally and maintain a steady simmer. Do not boil vigorously.
4. Check for Doneness
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Chicken should reach an internal temp of 165°F.
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Meat should appear opaque throughout when pierced with a fork.
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If undercooked, continue simmering and check temperature every 10-15 minutes.
5. Finish and Serve Soup
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Remove chicken and shred with two forks.
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Return shredded chicken to soup and add any vegetables like peas, spinach or beans to warm through.
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Adjust seasonings and serve!
Chicken Soup Recipes to Try
The subtle flavors in chicken soup make it the perfect canvas for frozen chicken. Try these tasty recipes:
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup: Simplicity at its best. Frozen chicken elevates the classic combo of chicken, noodles and vegetables in broth.
Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup: The creaminess balances nicely with tender bites of frozen chicken. Mushrooms and wild rice add earthy flavors.
Chicken Tortilla Soup: Frozen chicken absorbs the bold Mexican-inspired flavors from chili powder, cumin and fire-roasted tomatoes. Top with avocado, cilantro and tortilla strips.
Asian Chicken Soup with Ginger: Frozen chicken soaks up the gingery broth punctuated by soy sauce, sesame oil and mushrooms for an easy weeknight dinner.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Chicken soup stored properly keeps well for several days.
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Allow soup to cool completely before storing.
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Refrigerate in airtight containers for 3-4 days.
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Freeze for 2-3 months in freezer bags or containers, leaving headspace.
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Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating on the stovetop over medium-low heat until hot.
With the proper technique, frozen chicken transforms into tender, juicy meat in flavorful soup. Follow these guidelines for conveniently cooked chicken soup without sacrifice.
Doesn’t this soup take a long time to cook?
It does take about an hour to cook, but you’re doing all the preparation work while it’s cooking. You can prep and cut the vegetables while the frozen chicken thighs boil in the water and chicken stock, then add the vegetables and clean up while the soup finishes cooking. The noodles cook in the soup while you are shredding the chicken.
You are also saving all the time that you would normally use to defrost the chicken in the microwave or the fridge. You are also lowering the risk of bacteria, like salmonella, growing while you defrost the chicken by cooking the chicken from frozen.
Save even more time by keeping all the ingredients on hand in your pantry or fridge for emergencies. In a pinch, you can easily replace any favorite noodle for the egg noodles. If you use rice, vermicelli, or mung bean noodles, make sure to soak them in room temperature water before you add it to the pot to avoid crunchy noodles!
If waiting for noodles to cook is not an option, add leftover or frozen cooked rice and for chicken and rice soup.
Don’t forget to check out these other soup and stew recipes to help you get ready for the cold weather seasons!
What makes this soup so great?
Cooking your own chicken noodle soup is easy and saves a lot of money. If you get all the ingredients on sale, you are only spending about $14.00 for 6 servings of soup. That’s cheaper than buying the fresh soup in the deli section, and about the same cost (or cheaper) than the canned stuff!
Save even more by using chicken bouillon and water instead of chicken broth. Just watch the sodium – you may have to use less than recommended to avoid a salty soup.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot
FAQ
Can you cook frozen chicken in a soup?
You can safely cook frozen meat, it just takes 1.5x the time that it would normally take. Or, as someone else said, a cold water bath is another way to fairly speedily thaw it.
How long does it take to cook frozen chicken in broth?
Place chicken breasts in pan with broth (I have used frozen, as well as fresh- frozen adds to your cooking time). Bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium, and let simmer covered for 15-20 minutes (around 10 minutes if yours are defrosted), turning occasionally.
How long does it take to cook raw chicken in soup?
The chicken is ready as soon as the meat registers 165°F and easily falls off the bone, after about 1 1/2 hours, but you can continue simmering for up to 3 hours for richer flavor — just keep an eye out that the chicken doesn’t start to disintegrate or turn the soup cloudy.
How long does it take to cook chicken from frozen?
How long does it take to cook frozen chicken in soup?
The cooking time for frozen chicken breast in soup typically ranges from 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breast. When added to a simmering pot of soup, the chicken will require enough time to fully cook while absorbing the flavors from the broth and other ingredients.
Can you freeze chicken soup?
Just allow the soup to cool down to room temperature before placing it in airtight containers or freezer bags, ensuring you leave some space for expansion as it freezes. When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen chicken soup, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
How long does it take to cook chicken soup?
Add diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until they become tender and aromatic—usually 5 to 7 minutes. Add Broth: Pour in enough chicken broth or water to cover your ingredients (generally 4 to 6 cups). This liquid will serve as the base for your soup, enhancing flavor as the chicken cooks.
How long does frozen chicken soup last?
Submerge the frozen chicken in a sealed plastic bag in cold water. Properly stored in an airtight container, chicken soup can last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer. Chicken soup is a timeless culinary staple, renowned for its comforting and nutritious qualities.
Can you use frozen chicken breast in soup?
Using frozen chicken breast in your soup comes with several benefits that can save you time, energy, and even money. Here are a few advantages of cooking with frozen chicken: Convenience: Frozen chicken breast allows you to have a nutritious protein source immediately available, cutting down on meal prep time significantly.
Can you add vegetables while cooking frozen chicken breast in soup?
You can add vegetables while cooking frozen chicken breast in soup. In fact, adding an array of vegetables not only enhances the flavor of the soup but also contributes important nutrients. It is suggested to add heartier vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, or celery, at the beginning of the cooking process.