CHICKEN SAFETY DISASTER! HELP NOW PLEASE!!!

[mamachef]

Sooo I'm defrosting a package of chicken legs and thighs in the wonderful, "defrost by weight" setting of the m/w when I decide that I absolutely must reheat my coffee this very instant. I did, and put the chicken back in the nuker, but being minus caffeine, I hit the "cook by weight" function and it blazed merrily away for 22 minutes before I caught it.
All quality and taste aside, if I finish thawing this birdy, either microwave or au natural, Is It Safe To Eat?
I'm trying to avert a whole lotta sick people here. Please help asap. Thanks.
Marci

[Cherylptw]

Yes, it's safe to eat as long as you cook it completely, which I know you will. I've done something similar before when I thawed meat out and it partially cooked it because I didnt turn over the package to evenly thaw.. No problems

[mamachef]

Awesome!!! Cherylptw, you da bomb!! Thank you a million times!!

[Cherylptw]

Awww....any time (lol!)

[GH1618]

The two important considerations are not to keep it in the temperate zone favorable to bacterial growth for too long, and to cook it to sufficient internal temperature. If you cook it properly as soon as it is defrosted, it will be fine.

Here's a link to the USDA/FSIS recommendations for chicken:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/C...

[mamachef]

Oh, thank you for responding so fast. Ok, so my game plan is to finish defrosting it completely and then cook it right away. Bless your heart!!