Chicken nuggets have been around for hundreds of years and have developed into a huge industry. However, they still remain iconic and fantastic food items with their distinct taste, texture, and appearance.
Chicken nuggets are a popular food item with a crispy, creamy coating and a mild, chicken-flavored taste. They are traditionally served as hot, fried chicken nuggets. However, they can be consumed in other forms such as grilled or baked as well.
After cooking the chicken nuggets, you may wonder if you can freeze them to save for later.
Yes, you can freeze chicken nuggets. If the package has not been opened you can simply put it into the freezer. If the package has been open, transfer the nuggets to an airtight container or freezer bag. Chicken nuggets will last for 12 to 18 months in the freezer.
Does Chicken Nuggets Freeze Well?
Chicken nuggets freeze well if you prepare them in advance and store them properly. You should also keep in mind that the flash-freezing process actually defrosts all of the water in the product and that is why you need to be careful with them when preparing your meal from frozen food.
It is important to remember that there are a few key things to keep in mind before you freeze them.
-Chill the chicken nuggets in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before freezing. This will help dry them without the risk of bacteria contamination.
-Make sure that they are completely dry before freezing them.
-Put them into freezer bags with as much air removed as possible.
How To Freeze Chicken Nuggets
When it comes to freezing chicken nuggets, the process is straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of time to prepare it.
If you have bought chicken nuggets from the store and the package has not been open, you can store them in their original package.
On the other hand, if the package of nuggets has been open, you will need to transfer them to a storage container or bag before storing them in the freezer.
Below are the steps to freezing chicken nuggets:
Step 1: You’ll need a shallow plastic container to hold the nuggets (a Tupperware-style or plastic storage bin). In order to freeze these nuggets, place them in the container with a generous amount of cooking oil. This will keep their coating from sticking together and creating ice crystals.
Step 2: Freeze for six hours or until they are solid.
Step 3: After the chicken nuggets are completely frozen, transfer them into freezer bags that can be sealed tightly.
Step 4: Label the bag with the date of freezing and place it into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Chicken Nuggets?
Freezing chicken nuggets is a good way of preserving the food for an extended period of time.
Chicken nuggets can last anywhere from 12 to 18 months in a freezer, depending on the type of freezer you use and how you store them.
How Do You Defrost Chicken Nuggets?
There are two ways you can defrost chicken nuggets – either by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or by putting them into cold water.
To thaw your chicken nuggets in the refrigerator overnight, place them on a plate in plastic bags or containers, and place them in the fridge.
To thaw chicken nuggets in cold water, let them soak for 20 minutes before turning them over to allow them to soak for another 10 minutes. You can cook them immediately after soaking or cook them first and then freeze the cooked meatballs for later use.
Can You Refreeze Chicken Nuggets?
When it comes to chicken nuggets, I don’t recommend that you refreeze them. Freezing the nuggets more than once will cause them to deteriorate greatly. After it is frozen and thawed for the second time, the nuggets will become soggy and lose a lot of their flavors.
On the other hand, if the chicken nuggets have not thawed yet, you can refreeze them. There may be slight changes in the texture, but not enough for you to notice.
Other Questions About Chicken Nuggets
Can you freeze Perdue chicken nuggets?
You can freeze Perdue chicken nuggets with no issue whatsoever! All you need to do is to put the frozen nuggets in a plastic bag and leave them in your freezer until you’re ready for a quick meal.
Can you freeze uncooked chicken nuggets?
Yes, you can, but you’ll need to be very careful when handling them.
When preparing the nuggets, make sure you are not touching other food. This will prevent cross-contamination.
After preparing the nuggets, freeze uncooked chicken nuggets in an airtight container and freeze them for up to three months.
Can you freeze chicken nuggets from McDonald’s?
Yes, you can freeze McDonald’s chicken nuggets. It will require some time to prepare them though. Simply placing the chicken nuggets into a freezer bag will cause them to stick together during freezing.
Instead, flash freeze the nuggets first. With a tray, place each nugget onto it, making sure they don’t touch each other. Then freeze it for about 1-2 hours. Once frozen, transfer the nuggets to a freezer bag, seal them, and store it in the freezer.
Properly stored, McDonald’s chicken nuggets will maintain the best quality for 2 to 3 months.