Need frozen chicken breast help

**Palooka** · 02-10-2010, 11:08 PM

My mom got dh one of those huge frozen chicken bags from Sams. I would only need a few at a time to cook for him.

The problem is these suckers are so stuck to each other and I don't know how to get them apart and put the rest back in the freezer.

I wouldn't want to defrost it a little because I would think that would be bad to stick the rest back in?

Sorry if this is a stupid question but every time I look in the freezer, the poor bags of chicken are staring at me.

Any tips?

**hotprincesscm** · 02-10-2010, 11:18 PM

I defrost and refreeze things all the time...Never had a problem! And with something like that, you have to defrost them somewhat to get them apart. I think you will be fine!

**NikoSan999** · 02-10-2010, 11:22 PM

It won't hurt them or we'd be dead. Run some real warm water over them until you can pull them apart and get them back in the freezer as soon as you can.

Or nuke for about 1/2 minute or so.

Either would work and be fine. Honest!

**Palooka** · 02-10-2010, 11:34 PM

Oh okay wasn't sure. I haven't ate chicken like in 10 years.

I guess I would have to run them under water because they wouldn't fit in the microwave.

Thanks!

**frugalfranny** · 02-11-2010, 01:24 AM

If you don't want to do the warm water thing - what I have done is use my bet strong knife and 'pry' them apart. Has to be a good knife - with a THICK blade so you won't break it.

But once you start - which ever way you go - do them all at once and get them separated and back into freezer.

Good luck!

**nadine64** · 02-11-2010, 03:17 AM

I would thaw enough to separate all of them. Take out what I need. Freeze the balance flat on a cookie sheet, shouldn't take long at all, since they're not completely thawed. Then I would put them back into a freezer bag. They shouldn't stick then. I do this all the time with fruit, etc., when I'm freezing them.

**Contrary Housewife** · 02-11-2010, 10:26 AM

I only thaw them partially, enough until they start to soften around the edges. Then I get a knife and pry or cut them apart. When I buy those I always try to get a bag that is not a solid frozen mass. Some brands are better at that than others. If it is all stuck together I worry about whether it has already been thawed and re-frozen.

**Greebo** · 02-11-2010, 10:31 AM

Use cold water to thaw them instead. That will keep the chicken out of the danger zone but raise the temp around the "seams" enough to split them.

Big bowl of cold water - dunk them in and pull them apart and immediately refreeze.

**Palooka** · 02-11-2010, 06:14 PM

Thanks for the tips!!

CH, yep this bag is a frozen mass big time. lol

**AnW819** · 02-11-2010, 07:04 PM

I buy the big bags at Sams all the time. Great deal! When mine are stuck together (and I don't like to defrost and refreeze....and ocd thing maybe?) I throw the bag on the counter top to break them apart, lol. Its just like breaking apart a bag of ice. Easier that way!

**druthb00** · 02-11-2010, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by AnW819

I buy the big bags at Sams all the time. Great deal! When mine are stuck together (and I don't like to defrost and refreeze....and ocd thing maybe?) I throw the bag on the counter top to break them apart, lol. Its just like breaking apart a bag of ice. Easier that way!

I second this method!!!

**Palooka** · 02-11-2010, 10:32 PM

Oh that sounds like a good stress reliever. Just pound the crap out of them on the kitchen counter.

Maybe I need an ice pick!

**Libby** · 02-11-2010, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by Palooka

Oh that sounds like a good stress reliever. Just pound the crap out of them on the kitchen counter.

Maybe I need an ice pick!

I bang the frustrations out by banging the bag outside on the steps which can take a better beating then your counter

Does wonders! For the stubborn ones that are still left - I use the meat cleaver to separate them.

**Palooka** · 02-12-2010, 12:10 AM

Oooh, a meat cleaver. Sounds more dangerous and fulfilling.

**Libby** · 02-12-2010, 12:29 AM

Tee hee - thats the one thing I love about my kitchen - we have an assortment of meat cleavers

Is that wrong of me to like them so much?

Also - you're lucky that I thought it was too rude to post William Hung's version of "She bangs!" on here - thinking of you out on the driveway trying to defrost the bag of chicken breasts! LOL