Can chicken that is thawed sit for an hour and then be cooked?

It is not recommended to leave thawed chicken sitting for an hour at room temperature before cooking. Room temperature provides an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply rapidly. According to the USDA, perishable food should not sit at room temperature for longer than two hours.

To safely prepare chicken for cooking, it is best to defrost it in one of these three ways:

1) In the refrigerator overnight: This method takes longer, but it is the safest.

2) Under cold running water: Place the wrapped chicken in a sink and run cold water over it for about 30 minutes.

3) In the microwave on the defrost setting: Follow the instructions on your microwave's user manual.

Remember to cook the chicken thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured by a food thermometer to ensure the safety of the food.