[tomnyc]

How long does it take to defrost a whole chicken in a refrigerator?

I've seen estimates of 5 hours/pound for a whole chickdn; but I put a 7.2 lb chicken in the refrigerator almost 24 hours ago, and now it feels like it's just defrosted the outside.     

I measured the refrigerator to be 38F and the outside of the chicken to be 31.8.

 

[chefbuba]

It's going to take a couple of days at a minimum. I always try to take out a chicken at least five days before I want to use it.

 

[tomnyc]

It wound up taking almost or a full 3 days before this chicken was fully defrosted.    It as a big one, at 7 lbs though.