There has always been a debate on whether frozen chicken can be compared to fresh chicken in terms of taste, quality, and nutritional value. Some say that frozen chicken should be avoided while others state that it is just as nutritious as fresh chicken. As a result of this debate, there are many frozen chicken myths that make people hesitate when shopping and opting to buy fresh chicken instead. However, we decided to do a bit of research for you in order to debunk five common frozen chicken myths and get the facts straight.
Frozen Chicken Must Be Thawed Before Cooking
One of the most common frozen chicken myths is that it must be thawed before cooking. This is something that comes down to personal preference, as there is nothing wrong with cooking frozen chicken. Whether we cook it in an oven or on a stove, the temperature will be enough to cook the meat without it ending up uncooked.
It Is More Processed
Another common frozen chicken myth is that frozen meat is more processed, meaning it isn’t as good as fresh chicken. However, frozen and fresh chicken is pretty much the same, with the only difference being than one is frozen. Some producers, though, like to add a thin coating layer only to ensure an extended shelf life without it affecting the quality of the meat.
Frozen Chicken Isn’t Very Healthy
We must remember that there is no difference between frozen chicken and fresh chicken when it comes to their nutritional values. As a matter of fact, freezing food, including meat, vegetables, and fruit, doesn’t affect its quality. Nonetheless, many people believe frozen chicken myths like this, stating that chicken loses its nutrients when frozen up. This is far from the truth, and no food loses its properties when we freeze it up.
It Is Not Fresh
Just like we mentioned above, there is no real difference between fresh chicken and frozen chicken when it comes to their nutritional value. Now, frozen chicken is quite different from chicken that waits inside your fridge for days before you actually cook it. If we thawed the chicken, we must cook it during the following days if we want to preserve its flavor and quality.
Frozen Chicken Is Very Inconvenient
Lastly, one of the most common frozen chicken myths out there is that buying frozen meat simply isn’t convenient. Nonetheless, this couldn’t be further from the truth. It actually makes more sense to buy frozen chicken, especially when we will not be cooking it in the following days. When we buy fresh chicken, we cannot wait a long time before cooking it, and this might result in rushed and half-prepared meals.