Slimy frozen chicken breasts

Angellore

I use chicken breasts once at the most a week (for hunters chicken usually). The rest of the time I use thighs for casseroles etc. I shop in Sainsburys (we don't have an Aldi or Lidl near us and I shop online) and usually they have a deal on packs of chicken breasts or the biggest pack is the cheapest per 100g. I the past I have bought multiple packs and frozen the ones I haven't used (uncooked), however when I have defrosted the chicken (within one month, in the fridge, taken out 24 hours before I want to use them) I find they are slimy and a bit whiffy so they end up in the bin. I freeze them as soon as the shop is delivered so they aren't going off when they go in. What am I doing wrong? I even find the ones that you buy ready frozen are a bit slimy once I defrost them.

GwylimT

Its just moisture on the outer membrane.

orangesmartie

I often find packets of chicken breasts smell a bit 'off' when first opened (whether opened fresh or after defrosting). The smell dissipates very quickly and a closer sniff of the chicken reveals its not from them. I think its just the being sealed in the packets and trapped kinda thing.

And yes, they feel slimy - its just moisture.

Angellore

OK, thanks, I will try again then. Sounds like the local feral cats have been getting perfectly good chicken out of the bins!

meritaten

yes, I agree with the others, uncooked chicken often feels or smells slimy or off when its first defrosted, but rinsing it and patting it dry usually gets rid of that.

mojod

Some of the cheaper chicken has water pumped into it to boost the weight as well which doesn't help. But as above, rinse & dry should do the trick if you can't afford to buy genuinely fresh untouched stuff from a butchers.

terra_ferma

orangesmartie wrote: »

I often find packets of chicken breasts smell a bit 'off' when first opened (whether opened fresh or after defrosting). The smell dissipates very quickly and a closer sniff of the chicken reveals its not from them. I think its just the being sealed in the packets and trapped kinda thing.

And yes, they feel slimy - its just moisture.

It could be some the gases the use to make them look pretty for longer.
http://www.modifiedatmospherepackaging.com/Applications/Modified-atmosphere-packaging-fresh-meat.aspx

terra_ferma

mojod wrote: »

Some of the cheaper chicken has water pumped into it to boost the weight as well which doesn't help. But as above, rinse & dry should do the trick if you can't afford to buy genuinely fresh untouched stuff from a butchers.

Agree. The last one I used (I think it was from S's) reduced to half its original size after grilling.

minniemaus1970

Hi
I usually defrost chicken breast for 30 sec ech side in microwave, i find it's easier to cut when they re semi frozen, slippery little things. I also cut them with scissors :T
chicken is always is lil wiffy when it's ben wrapped in plastic and defrosted, you could put the frozen breast on a plate and cover with a lid/ other plate?

I once defrosted turkey in its plastic wrapper (gag)
was ok after a good 'shower'
it's ok as long as the smell is not 'off' ( rotten egg smell. you'll know if it's OFF, it makes your eyes water)
MM x

mrsdwhite

I'm sorry but I can't keep ignoring the same recurring thing I keep reading on here where people are washing chicken.
I work in hospitality and therefore have a lot of food safety training and qualifications.
Washing chicken will spread germs around your sink and kitchen.

Obviously there will be people saying, 'path! I always have and I'm ninety and it's never hurt me!' But I want to put the message out there as a warning of what can happen!


http://t.nbcnews.com/business/stop-washing-your-chicken-8C11067715

thriftylass

I agree, I never wash my chicken as it just gets everywhere and if there is sth on my chicken it will be killed in the oven. Off chicken smells revolting, freshly defrosted chicken can smell funny but you'll know the difference. Also some frozen chicken do not only have water pumped into them but also chemicals to hold the water in and I found they can give the chicken a very slimy coating. I usually but whole chickens now (still the cheap ones) and butcher it myself. The rarely have water in them but they too can smell funny when they come straight out of the packet/wrapper.